Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-16
rleans Independent Standard
Barton, Tuesday, Nov. Is, 1869.
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Execution--0ne Of RUNS Victims.

J.L. Pike was hung at Concord, n. H.,
9th,inst for the murder of Mr.. and Mrs
Brown at Hampton Falls, sometime in
1868, and which was one ofpeculiar atrocity
They were an old couple living alone and
were murdered for their money. Pike was
seen lurking about the premises during the
afternoon, as appeared in proof upon his
trial he went to the door in the evening.
raped and was admitted, when he chopped
his victims with an axe. The old gentle
man lived long enough to tell who his muir
derel was, when the criminal was caught.
Since he has been in prison under sentence
of death he has experienced religion, as
all brutal murderers do, was wonderfully
good, forCave everybody and wanted eve
rybody should forgive him, in consequence
of all which he enlisted the sympathy of
the community 10 that degree that many
petitions were sent to the governor asking
for his repricve, young men and maidens
visiting him daily, while the resident min
listers from their pulpits on the sabbath
hurled theiranathemas against capital pun
ishment-and all in the interest Of the dis
tinguished butcher, Pike. To cap the eli
max of these ridiculous absurdities over
lures were made to the sheriff to have chic
form administered at his execution What
nawkish sensibility Upon the whole he
was quite a lion, hero at the New Hamp-
shire capital, and it now only remains for
his admirers to strew flowers upon his grave
and erect a monument to the memory OF
their martyr when the routine of criminal
nonsense will be complete. But we started
10 preach a temperance sermon in conneX-
ion with this murder, and thought best to
give the facts first. One Of the pleas in
extenuation Of the crime was that of inc.
briefly of Pike at the time he committed it
but it appears that Judge, jury and COVER
nor had too much sense to entertain the
plea, doubtless holding, as we do, thai
drunkenness adds to the criminali.y of {
murder instead Of mitigating it.
The day previous to his execution Pix,
wrote the following farewell, which wa
read upon the scafold by Rev. Mr.. Hol
man:
Gentlemen-I don't shrink from IN,
fate; / do not dread to die because ! know
how worthless my life is, and | have hop
in Christ for better hereafter; but | wsl
to leave a warning in my last words l.
those who are inclined to intemperance.-
1t has destroyed my life and periled m
soul, and ! entreat those who deal in in
toxicating drinks to stop that dreadful
work; and oh! implore their victims Z
stop before it is too late As ! hope to b
forgiven the sins Of a misspent life, ! for
give all severity and injustice toward my
self, and willingly commit my soul, wickc,
and unworthy as have been, to the dispO
sal of a crucifed Savior. To my especia
friends who have been so constant an,
kind, who have given me sympathy, adyic
and encouragement during my stay in thi
prison, ! can only return the hearted
thanks Of a dying man. | can feel wha
they have done for me, but can't utter IN
feelings, but commenting them to God ia
his blessing, and imploring mercy for my
SELF give you all my last farewell.
JOSIAH l.. PIKE"
This to our mind is Il warning that a
tipplers and confirmed drunkards would d
well to hced-a sermon that should reac
the hearts Of all Here was a life sacrifice
to an Unsuitable thirst for rum, and her
were two innocent victims inundated upo
the altar Of the demon that turks in tn
glass. 1t is no new thing. 1t is the san
story, old as the world and ancient as he
hills, Strong drink, theft, cruelty, murde
and every known species Of crime, 90 han
in hand and are almost inseparablc-
When will the world Danish liqu,
and thus Danish the source Of nine tent
of all the woes that have ever afflicted il