The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-10
Execution Of Pike, the Double Murderer.
at Concord, N. H.
Particulars of His Crime, Trial
and Conviction.



murder at Hampton Falls about year since. The
death penalty Is always unpleasant to contemplate
and sckening TO witness, but Is one of those SAFE
guards to the community which, in these days OF
modern tragedies and horrors, cannot well
be dispensed with. Even in New England
the brutal spirit Is continually rampant, and
the gallows is as useful here as it was in
California during the career OF the unmerciiul
vigilance committees. Although the manner OF
Furnishing Pike for his double crime was distasterul
to many OF the chlcken-hcarted philanthropists OF
New Hampshire their efforts were insufficient to Sc
cure executive interference, aud Governor Hcarns
having aiiixed his signature 70 the death warrant
the extreme penalty Of the law was I'M
relentingly administered. SO long as the
Capital Punishment act exists in this State
1t was emuently 1T that 1t should not have
been interiered with In this case, for more deserv
ing criminal than Pike never danged from the end
OF q rope. and the popular sentiment OF the COM
munlty was almost universally IN favor OF his execu-
ton.
THE MURDER AND THE MURDERER.
The crime for which Pike gave up his life was one
full OF sickening and horrible circumstances. An
unoGending old man and woman, both OF whom had
bcfriended their assassin when others forsook him.
were the unfortunate victims of the tragedy. Like
nearly all murders OF modern times the motive
was money and rum was freely used to arouse
the temporary courage sufficient to commit
the deed. Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Brown, the aged
couple 30 numerically slain, resided upon their
farm IN Hampton Falls. abOut SIX miles from
Exeter, and Pike had been frequently employed by
Mr.. Brown to assist him In his work upon the farm.
Towards the last OF April In 1858. Pike concluded
TO leave his place, and did so, very much against
the win OF his employer, as well as contrary TO the
wishes OF Mrs. Brown, who had taken quite liking
TO him and abored hard for his moral ana intellect
nal Improvement. In about q fortnight after leav
ing Pike returned aud repaid the kndnesses OF his
bepeiactors by numbering them in cold blood.
During the interval Of quitting work ana
engaging IN the horrible Tragedy which cost
him his life Pike spent most OF his time and
all his money in debauchery In the city OF Newbury
port, Mass. On the evening OF the 7th OF May he
walked from Newburyport to Seabrook, N. H., where
he managed TO beg some liquor from an old ac-
quantance. Having drank freely and placed him
self in condition which may be properly termed as
"drunk clear through" ne went 70 Hampton Falls
arriving at the residence OF Mr.. and Mrs. Brown
Just they were about retiring. He knocked at the
door, and when Mrs. Brown opened 1t to admit him
he attacked her with an axe, and having as he sup
posed finished her earthly career, he proceeded to
the bedroom, where Mr.. Brown had retired, and COM
menced vigorous and murderous assault upon HIM.
Believing them both then dead he deliberately pro.
ceeded to the work OF plumber. Knowing that Mr..
Brown kept the most Of his money in desk, the
key OF which he knew was also kept IN drawer in
another piece OF furniture, he had no difficulty IN
soon obtaining all they had which amounted to
his booty he Immediately left the house and walked
70 Amesbury Mills, Mass, where he hired man to
MADE rreat sUay Of his un9s a and ns whe e he he
arrived III Newburyport he INDUCED in numerous
nbatlons. and also invested In watch and new
N n liUoA fup<N dov
husband i've, and before the latter died he returned
TO consciousness sufficiently TO give AL account Of
the details OF the shocking AFFAIR
ARREST, TRIAL AND CONVICTION
The day following the murder Pike was arrested at
che residence Of hs m9they-n law, in Newburyporti
his possession He was committed ~ jail until after
the burial OF his victims, and on the 18TH OF May
was arraignei on the charge OF double murder.
Exeter. The ediace was filled with excited and
enraHed Spectators, and OF one time 1t was feared
into their own hands. The miserable wretch plead
guilty to both charges; but he did not show any
signs Of emOtion-nQt even when the bloody axe was
exhibited or when the circumstances OF MS crime
were detailed. The final trial OF the murderer was
held in portsmouth . year ago this month, at
which the evidence was substantially the same "a ut
me preliminary examinations. The only new fea-
ture was the introduction OF evidence by the defence
70 show that PIKE was q victim o. disease known as
for strong drink Some Of mis- relatives swore that
liquor. and that rum chiefly affected his brain, rem
dering HIM like wild man, causing him to act with
all the cunning and desperation Of insanity There
was other evidence, however, to show that when
intoxicated Pike reeled and acted like other drunken
men. The evidence Of his guilt was conclusive be-
yond doubt, and after an hour and q halfs delib-
Grafton the fury brought In q verdict OF guilty OF
murder In the first degree and the wretch was I'm
mediately sentenced to be hung.
THE CHARMED HOUSE.
The old homestead where the deed OF blood was
committed Is located on the road leading from
II Coll tn Una ahOut St
miles from that place, four from Seabrook, n: H.,
ana ten from Newburyport Mass, and half an
Hampton. 1t Is on the west side OF the road and
not o hundred rods from the village church. in
whose now lie the Of the
e Of newell wei Healey The house Two story
slated roof and Wen surrounded by shade trees.
Attached TO 1t Is a long 1, with an ample barn and
te usual snar tse o smS s ss
is about eight feet posted, 16x23, with three old
fashioned windows, and Is neat ana tidy. Passing
10 the sitting r0om IL was found TO be about 20Xl0
two feet higher posted, and having but two windows
on the southwest sac between which was set the
bureau from which like tocxthe money, the end and
1he walls Of the room were neatly covered with
blue paper OF diamond pattern, and the floor GOV.
cred with those homely bnt ever lasting articles OF
domestic manufacture, rag mats. THIS Is the room
in which PIKE slew the old man, though from Pixies
account II would seem that no was struck in the
kitchen. An ample fireplace, ccoking range &C.,
run nearly the whole east side OF the room. Not
long before eight O'Clock on the fatal night neigh
Dor mud left the old gentleman reading papers here
sitting with his feet upon pair OF crate andirons in
the similiIude Of a Hessian soldier armed cap pie
These papers, all dabbed with bo0d, were shown nj
the trial Leading from this room, ON the north are
two dark bedrooms. In one OF winch the half sense
less old man spent the night on ilrst revlvng FROM
The assasslns blow.
TIE ASSASSIN JOSIAH LITTLE PIKE,
is the youngest OF four children, and was born In
Portsmouth, N. H., May 20, 1881 HIS father was
confirmed drunkard, and only did odd chores
whereby to earn few pence, which were soon dis
sipated in drink. lie died In drunken frenzy soon
after Joslans birth, and his grandfather, maddened
with liquor. jumped overheard and was drowned.
Josiah ut fourteen BEGAN to drink, and ut that age
took up lodgings In tho Charleston State Prison Tor
two years on account OF stealing. After his dis
charge he led dIssOute life until he attained the
age OF twenty-one, when he married Miss Lizzie
Burnham Of NewDuryport, and under her influence
partially reformed. lie sometimes neglected her,
put never abused her. In 1861 she died OF consump-
lion, eighteen months after marriage. On the very
MINT OF hcr death Pike reapsed into his old habits
anu got on terrific bender, drinking alcohol from