New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-10
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
THE GALLOWS.
EXECUTION OF JOSIAH PIKE AT CONCORD, N. H.'
YESTERDAY.

Cltngs the DarDdr0us cOue OF cnOkIuB tho INV
criminals whose degree Of vlainy may have attained
the point legally known as murder in the first degree
to-day at the State Prison in this city, her oeas
gibbeted Josiah L. Pike, ayoung OF 80 years your
correspondent has attended 10 executions by hanging
within the past year, and but one before In NewHap
shire; that of Samuel Ma convicted OF the murder OF
| George Maxwell at Franconia, Dec. 8, 1860, ana
| hanged in the ,jaiiyasd at Haverhl, N. H.,
MayGG, 1868. OF ALL OF which, duty made the
writer unwilling spectator, that OF NILS
was for brutality and barbarn
The gallows consisted Of beam projected from cell
window under which the scaold erected and When
the criminal was launched or the rope and knot gave
way Obgdng the Sheriff to readust the cord. and re-
hang the man. The disgraceu witnessed that day
win never be oblterated from memory, for after the
wretched cuprt had swung amid the hoots cheers and
curses OF motley multitude, and the corpse was cut
down. II taken into the streets and publicly exhibited
for hour at least Brutality and rum held high
carnival, and thinking man turned away from tho
Pententiary without questioning whether New England
properly held the advance post Of our modern clyiza
| ton. But the law was satisfied, and q few unknown
friends OF the murderer and udcIay murdered gave the
| remains decent burial
The execution to-day, was the second that has ever
taken place Mermack County the first being that of
Abraham Prescott boy Of 10 years. hanged January g.
1885, for the murder of Mrs. Chauncy Cochran OF Penn
broke This execution all have been heretofore, was
| public. Many have been attended by rOtons proceed
| Dgs, and almost all nave De6u uiNb
time in history the execution was to-day performed
within the precincts Of the State Prison at Concord,
which is one of the most i'll constructed buildings
/ for its special purpose OF any In the country.
Josiah Pike the wretch who has just paid the penalty OF
double murder held position IN society that gave
promise Of an honorable career He belonged TO a
| respectable family, and has a mother and several
brothers living in an adjoining town. One OF these
brothers is a wealthy merchant in Of seaport
cities His mother has been kept in ignorance OF her
sons whereabouts for year, and sl fances her
dear boy at When the intelligence OF oday shall
reach her ears must despite the best endeayos OK
family and friends to keep 1t from her. who shall attempt
the portrayal Of her anguish!
II is lust about year since the pleasant Village Of
Hampton Falls aroused by the report that horr
BILE murder had been committed within Its limits. All
New-Enghnd participated IN the excitement. Mr.. and
Mrs Brown husband and wife, living at distance from
the settlement sitting in their kitchen at dusk one
evening" when low rap heard at the door Mrs
Brown proceeded to 1t, and opening to the
caller was feed the floor by stroke from an AK, 10
the hands Of disguised fellow whose identity the SEQUEL
proved Mr. Brown rushed to her rescue only to meet
the same fate. and both were left for dead by the
ruffan, who proceeded to search the house,
and then escaped. No the crime discovered
than suspicion pointed TO Pike as man who might az
least give some clue 20 the affair." for he Of known
bad nature and the vicinity OF the murder few
hours before its probable cOmmttaL He was married
u
at the OF her mother in adjacent town. Rents
grocery bills, and minor expenses OF housekeeping
crowded In upon him he had been often ont OF WORK,
and being pressed for money the day OF the
murder started out saying to his wife that he might
| not return until midnight. He returned toward morn
ing and had been at home but rev
hours, arrested. Most Of the money stolen with
pocketbook and smaller articles, identified as the
property the murdered Browns being found upon him.
he was at lodged in JAIL tried and sentenced to
death.
few days ago, in company with the Rev. Sullivan
Holman Montpelier W.T. but then chaplain Of the State
Prison of New-Hampshire. your reporter visited Pike in
his cell He has been in solitary confinement except a
brief interval Of eseape) year. with nothing TO re-
eve the OF the cell walls the gnawing OF re-
in his soul To all the eDtreaes. and prayers OF
the Rev Mr. Holman, of the noblest Christian phan
thropists OF New. England land to whom Pike sent
the special request that he should like to spend the last
hours Of life in company with gooda and friend
the condemned opened his heart. From the
first he been doggedy reserved and friendly TO none
the officers Of the prison II was source OF graft
Joseph Mayo did everything that was possible 70 MAKE his
Of his disturbed Sleep and looking INTO his eyes
one could read the deeper workings OF nober but re-
strained nature Pike about feet inches high OF
square build, dark hair and eyes, retreating fore
head and OF light. agile step; He was evidently
Se was inherently designing and treacherOas With no
employment save reading, the days dragged beaVlyi
| NJ,
desion that he would be mervully considered
least to have his sentence committed 20
life. Thursday last his two brothers and the ex
chaplain spent two hours In his CELL and the former bade
him their last farewell Il was one o. those sad oeea-
proach
Hampshire, the Sheriff of the county and his regular
deputies and the officials " the prisons, only, are al
lowed to witness execution, aud the murder
committed In Rockingham County, the Hon. jos p.
Morse Of Portsmouth, Sheriff. conducted the execution
Pike spent last night in his with the Rev. Mr. Hol
man. his spiritual adviser The time was mainly sIeDt
in religious devotions, during which interview Pike
N AIDE plain statement Of all the details OF hts crime,
which reduced 70 writing by the chaplain for pub
cty after the execution. At "A O'Clock this morning Mr.
Holman retired and the regular guard resumed watch Of
the prisoner who during his entire incarceration. has
TO any officer 10. even n word Of From to
O'Clock m. he slept soundly and awakening read
the LIST Psalm after which he donned the black
suit and ate hearty breakfast Al - o'clock religious
held in his cell, aud quintete OF adr. OF
this cry, sc Pixies ~pecia request, sang the hymn Ny
latest is sinkn fast" From that hour he received
callers and greeted and parted from each with AZ great
At11 O'Clock precisely the procession OF sheriff, prs
ana officials Med ont of the southern wing throcgh
the Jail Office INTO the corridor and proceeded AT once 10
the galoNs The Spectators numbered about my, M
heads uncovered while the Sheriff read his warrant Pike
then asked If he had anything TO say why senenre
through the chaplain who read the following:
do Shrink from my ae do not dfeaa - die be-
better hereafter bat wish to leave warning my thos
vho are nci1sa 70 % l hi % Van i5
apd oh mpor their victims to stop before Il = ios
hope he grer the sns mpe1t life iorsiis all
severity ard pjaace tGS.n s' AM sllnsy commit nv soul
TO especial who have been constant ana kind who have
Ssa q" s,p 9s iSrp he heartfelt hsSl. o. Sas NAB esn EEL
done hu cannot utter feelings bat eo@send
ing them Gd for Ills blessing aud inpiorns mere io' ul'eL s
At the conclusion all on the scafold bowed IN prayer
Pike kneeing by The side OF the Chaplain and. Tor the
first time. eyDcng most uDmstakable evidence OF inner
agony After prayer Pike shook hands with all hiu
bade each goodbye and for nearly ten minutes was
turned around aud pned about IN tue operation OK lying