The New York herald., 1867-03-23
THE DEATH PENALTY



Coon and his reputed wife were at chat time living at
the homo Of his Victim and her husband and during the
day had been drinking somewhat freely at Eldridgs's
tavern hra Iaksr visited the tavern and finding Coon
intoxicated had some angry words with the proprietor
Laken and his wife subsequently, started for their homo
in their own wagon, and coming up with Coon the
way asked him II he would 60 with them He
assented, and the three rode homo together.
Arrived at her homo Mrs. Laker prepared supper,
Coon and Mr.. Laker In the meantime milk.
ing the COWS and doing other farm s'chorea" Some
beefseak had been procured for supper and Mr. Laker
with his three children and Coon sat down the meal
the woman mot partaking. Upon Laker requesting his
wife 10 come 70 supper she replied 1--WE will mot get
rich buying beefsteak for old lousy Coon live on He
ought to 60 the village and talk Of what do In
the house, for Il Ia mot every who win keep
who has bssn in States prison. Coon arose and left
the house, but returned shortly Afterwards and said
to MIRA Iaksr, s'Do you wish TO have . ith ?"
She replied "No,n and Coon then rotored sYou have
been trying TO pick quarrel with since have
been here. You have not had the damned Irish taken
out Of you" Coon then advanced towards Mrs.
Laker and she ned into the pantry, holding
up childs chair to defend herself At this juncture
Coon struck her down with Mr. Laksr then went
into the pantry which quite dark and seizng Coon
pushed him out Of the door. Coon said Let go she
nothing but damned pest to you" Lsker, failing to
release Coon himself violently attacked by him and
wounded, though not mortay, wi the They
were then out OF DOORS ami Laker seized beetle and
threatened to kill Coon II he struck him again. Coon
Immediately fed and Laker him more until he
met him at the Jail in this city Mrs. Laker died of the
wounds infected on the 26th Of October
Coon arrested few days afterwards B0rdens
Orc Bed at bennington w. brought to this city, tried
convicted and sentenced by Judge Hogeboom the
atrocions murder awakened the deepest horror
throughout the entire community and ia
connection with the unenviable reputation and
hardened character OF the criminal operated strongly
against the expression OF any public sympathy for the
condemned man. The attitude Of Governor Fenon has
been markedly against him, and the prisoner repre-
sented at the Executive Chamber only by few phlan-
thropc gentlemen, who would perform the same kindly
Office for any similarly situated. The doomed man
evuced no appreciation any efforts put forth in his
behalf, but rather inclined TO abuse parties inter-
ceding for him for their lack Of success
sKETCH OF cooN's LIFE
Hiram Coon was born in the town Of Petersburg Rens
selaer county In 1915 and was at the time OF his exe
careful training education, and. while quite boy,
noted as being vicious and maliciously inclined
nooss VAS about his neck Durins life he was
in this county as farm laborer He made his debut IN
crime In 1s43 bgamlst when he married Western
named jones' his first wife, whom he married in
1S40 being then living and dying only since his
victon leaving several grown up children For this
sso he was Of assault with intent to xiii
Deputy Sheriff T. w. Jones' Of this county, who
about arrestng him ON . criminal warrant, when Coon
attacked him with q knife, INJECTING wounds which
nearly proved fatal This offence caused his incarcera
ton for another term of five at Clinton. He has
been suspected OF other crimes, among them murder
and arson
Some fifteen years ago he was discovered to be
s er w oo scps hs
acquaintance, upon which Coon took her forcibly
from her parents home only, however, after whipping
the entire family with three other persons whose aid
called in for the protection Of the domestic fanes
and literally down side OF the structure which
the family lived. He carried the captured girl away
ana returned after an absence Of some time refusing
give any clue 70 her whereabouts II believed that
becoming tired Of her be murdered @ her and secrssd
outlaw and desperado Some years since he en-
tered the residence Of respected citizen and,
she man and wife 70 bed After nishing his meal he
deliberately undrsssed himself and forcioy got into bed
terror ar,c ' stricken and not daring to resist 80
On another occasion, whom being pursued by officers
Nv named G1osa 70 sscrs.s him Tho family being we'll
Of his desperate character and vndiotive spirit
accedsd 70 his demand he availed himself Of their
acted in most uncouth manner toward the entire house
hold.
On q subsequent occasion be entered the house or
farmer named Vincent in the town OF Berlin during the
absence Of the host BY committing burglary Upon the
return Of Mr. Vincent Coon captured him and compelled
him 70 20 70 bed with him. remaining until morning. and
threatening Vincent with speedy death the fact OF his
crime should ever 6e made known. For years past no
vate houses and avang himself OF all accommodations.
the inmates submitting to all manner OF ndignities
During his recent incarceration he has diverted him
Forwarding them 70 his wife for collection; also by
sending supposed friends 70 certain places with the in
formation that he had sccreted money there His friends
returned without It, and he cndeavored create the i'm
that they had appropriated the money to their
own uses He has also made several very contradictory
statements regarding the murder OF hrs Laker and in
his interviews with his spiritual adviser, tho Rev G. c.
Bald vim has demanded OF that gentleman that he
should testify in relation ~ 70 his he
times spoke IN very irrevcrent manner
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Coon about five feet nine inches 10 height, OF
robust and athletic proportions. His head was sur
mounted by luxuriant growth OF dark hair,
s Of desperately vicious and aeprsved man. HIS eyes
sharp and restless, and his facial expression ind
Gated dogged courage combined with low cunning In
person. mind or there evidence Of intel
ect or cultivation and the little biblical knowledge he
possessed obtained at different times in prison The
announcement that there prospect OF Executive
cIemency was made officially TO him the 10th ult.
He displayed no emotion on receiving the intelligence
but it is believed that he entertained some hope Of
escaping his doom TO the last
THE CRIMINALS CONFESSION
During the night OF the goth he was attended by
spiritual adviser 10 whom he made long and rambling
statement, commencing with his irst acquaintance with
the victim. He alleged that he first met Mrs Laker In
next met her at Petersburg the scene the tragedy
the following spring. and had since seen the Lakers fire.
quensy at Petersburg Berlin and Hoosick In August
1866, Coon employed by Laker to cut oats,
and after working about two weeks he disabled his
right hand afterwards only being able TO do chores and
other light work which could be readily done with tho
left hand He gave account OF several family quar-.
res between Laker and his wife, also OF undue intimacy
between Coon's wife and Laker In reference TO the
immediate facts OF the MURDER he states that after
coming home Mrs Laker was noisy and turbulent, but
beng in hurry, having 70 do the milking with one
hand he had time 70 listen to her slang Bringing
in the mlk he he returned 10 the yard for the
wood and claims that Laker accompanied him, Coon
carrying tho light the former splitting up the kndling
on account OF the disabled hand Here Iaken said TO
Coon, "My wife IL mad at you" Coon replied, al
guess not very" Laker responding, "Shc is,
Tor reporting family affairs 70 sias Eldridee,
and you will yet see that hell will bc
raised in tonight There will be sleep to-
night You take the In and that will scare her. and
we will have some quiet; she will no. mind me. will
set Il here by the door, Coon replied, "No; never
quarrelled with your wife; won't do IT," Laker added,
q Well will set Il by the door," Entering the house
the conversation detailed In the opening Of this despatch
as occurring the supper table took place. Here Coon
afrms that signal was given 70 him BY Laker 70 get
the He stepped 10 the door and brought II In In
hts left hand As Coon crossing the floor his own
wife asked him what he going to do with the axe