Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-04-01
The Execution at York, Pa, YESTERDAY.

William Donovan, the m murderer of the So uibb
family, was executed at York Pa, yesterday, in
the Jail yard. The murder Of which he was
convicted was one of the most atrocious ever
committed in this country. The victims Were
about preparing for bed. The father, (Mr.
Squibb) al home after the labors of the day.
was about ID retire TO rest, and had taken of
his hat, his coat, and his shoes and stockings
They Were found close by the armchair where
he was accustomed 10 place them. HIS wife
had taken of her shoes and stockings, and their
little daughter had removed one shoe and stock
lng-she had not time TO finish the work Of uu-
dressing before they Were attacked, and all
three murdered with a hatchet. The object of
the murder was solely plunder.
A special dispatch TO the Philadelphia Bud
tefin thus describes the execution:
AT half-past eleven o'clock, Sheriff Engles,
accompanied by the deputy sheriff and the
reporters OF the public press, ntered the cell of
The condemned man, and one OF the priests pro-
ceeaed with some religious rites. The con-
demned man was dressed in cashmere pants
and a blue Jacket. He held an ebony cruelty
an his hand, and kept repeating, Tine Lord
have mercy on me-" and in a penitent manner
threw his ewes heavenward A slight tremor
was visible in his frame, yet he was wonder
fully collected under the circumstances. He
submitted 10 the placing of the moose around
his neck without apparent emotion, still keep
ing his eyes heayenward. His arms were PIN
Toned in the cell, and during the entire time he
kept muttering praises TO the Deity. Exactly
at twenty minutes 10 twelve O'Clock the pro-
cession was formed; the prisoner, supported by
Fathers Murray and Burmeister. and holding
before himself the cross. emerged from the
cell, and was followed by the sheriff and deputy
sheriff and the reporters. During the walk 70
the scaiiold he kept repeating: THE Lord be
nerciful TO me; Lord have mercy on me: God
bless my wife" &c.
He assembled the scafold with a firm step.
still muttering 10 himself. After he reached
the scafold. the sheriff asked him IL he had
anything TO say, for now was the time TO do il.
The condemned then faced the mbled crowd
and spoke as follows: - here stand in the
presence of the Saviour of the world, and am
as innocent of the murder the saviour OF
the world is. Il don't know who done IL was
IN my bed ON Sunday night, and don't know
any thing about the murder"
While the sheriff was fixing the black cap.
the prisoner turned 10 him and IN hanked him for
the many acts OF Kindness he had received from
him. He then sand, =. God be with Won ali: Won
are hanging an innocent man; God bless my
wife and children; will see tn m hereafter
The platform was then cleared and the posr
wretch stood on the brink of eternity mo-
ment's pause, ana the sheriff pulled the plat
form from under, and the body OF William Do
nayan hung in mid air. His neck was broken
by the fall, and he died a remarkably easy death.
There was scarcely preceptible movement of
the legs, and all was over. The body was left
hanging the usual time, and was then taken
down for interment