The New York herald., 1870-05-14
THE GALL oW S..
Execution Of John Deal, in Reading, Pa, for
the Murder Of Richard Harlow-Hi
Hopes Of Reprisve to the Last
A Model Execution.

READING, Pa, May 13, 1870.
John Deal, alias Zachariah Snyder, was hanged
In the prison yard about haf-past one to-day In the
presence Of about two hundred persons for the mur
der Of Richard Harlow. The murder was commit-
ted In October last near Lecsport Berks county,
The victim was poor, decrepid vagabond, and the
murder was the result Of drunken quarrel
Deal did not deny the killing Of Harlow, but said
he did not intend IL but IN defending himself from
Harlow, who, with O pistol In his hand, was
threatening to shoot him when he struck the
fatal blow. Deal has been an old offender, he
having served tw0t erms in the Penitentiary. 1t
was announced yesterday that the instrument OF
death had arrived from Philadelphia aud would be
been whispered about that there would be chance
OF seeing The gallows and IN consequence OF TINS
in@ hat il Would be- mpossbe nc for them 70 be wit
nesses to the hanging they signied that they would
be content II allowed to view the scatfold. The
directed that the rear gate be thrown open. This
was accordingly done, and In the the space OF an
lnclosure. 1t was novel sight to them, as nine
tcnths mad never seen such an instrument, Reading
cutlons, two Of which had Occurred prior to 1870
The one previous to that OF to-day took place in
1S42, and the name Of the doomed man ON hat occa-
sion was Rhlnehart. Tie ga es were closed before
six O'Clock, by which time those prompted by NOR
bid curiosity had withdrawn The rope, which had
and 1t was found amply sufficient to sustain six men
. Of Deal's weight.
The prisoner spent the better portion OF the day In
reading. In the morning the sacrament was par
taken of by him, the Rev. George Bordeman, who
has charge Of the German Catholic Church here, on
ciating In the afternoon this divine again called
him and spent couple Of hours in devotional exer-
cises. during the afternoon several newspaper cor
respondents visited his cell, with whom he chat, ed
freely. 1t was almost impossible to get him into
In n To fha state m ant
that he had made when sentence OF death was
pronounced ,IS% upon h%ylz that he COM
has already preyaricated upon this point to
both his counsel and his spiritual advisers this
he admitted having murdered Harlow In selfdefence
and on another he said that he was so much intoxi
Gated at the time that he was not aware OF having
been guilty OF such an offence until in his moments
OF sobriety when he discovered the blood on the
hatchet and his clothing He, during the interview,
manifested the utmost Indifference as to his fate,
and on being questioned as to whether he really
pretended his fearful position, he replied In the
those to es Ss he %a @
taken. He expressed great anxiety on their depar
ture to know whether the gentleman intended to be
TO "wITNEss THE JIGn
He then expressed a desire for something to eat,
Since his incarceration his appetite has never failed
MIN IN single instance, and 1t Is to the credit OF
the warden, Dan'el m Francis who has only held the
at his own expense. The prisoner spent his last
night on earth, until midnight, In reading, when he
has been constantly with him for several days past
withdrew, and Deal shortly thereafter went to Sleep
10 one who has no trou6: upon his mind. lie mani
tested considerable uneaslness, ana would fire.
quently give expression to jargon devoid Of mean
ing.
HE HAS HOPES OF REpRIEvE.
The prisoner has never expressed any desire for
terday 1t became apparent that he had hopes that
such document would be forthcoming. Through
sne ia Of nv ms o orGer several had
reprieve granted. 1t Is certain, however, that the
Governor has refused to interfere Ia the matter.
HE ACCOUNTS FOR THE CHANGE IN HIS NAME.
that s ZANE 81 2BsS1Es Bs 0t a'sss y
s 9e III H. oav G6 the e ~sn ns
mitted It himself. He had always prior to that
event been known as Zacharial E. snyder, and
Peniten,iary and enlisted in the army. He yester-
day admitted tnat he had adopted the name Of Deal
their humber as murderer But be st insisted
that had his parents taken the proper care OF him In
his early lifel he would never have occupied prison
cell, let alone pass from this world by the hands Of
an executioner.
THE PRISONER THIS MORNING.
The prison was surrounded at an early hour this
morning by crowd OF men, women and CHILDREN
majority being females whose, curiosity prompted
demand for admission. but not being provided
trance. Deal arose at four O'Clock and prOmenadel
his cell for couple Of hours. lie asked for break
At six O'Clock Fathers Bornemann and Schyick
waited upon him and administered the Sacrament
Of the Holy Communion Sheriff Albright also WIS.,
tied him.
The prisoner conversed about his former life, and
for the first time related the fact that prior to his
conviction for horse stealing he had served in prison
for stealing yoke Of oxen. He still adhered TO the
statement concerning the murder made In court.
and did not vary from 1t in one particular.
WHAT He DESIRED DONE WITH HIS BODY.
He also desired his body 10 be sent to MS brother
in Wayne county, or, /: he would not receive it, to
be given to the Catholic priest, who would see 1t
properly inferred. HIS counsel, Messrs. Yunat,
Lancks and Maitzburger, were " It'll him for short
time and he conversed freely, reverting with some
force to his first offences having been stepping stones
to the final crime. He stated ne was perfectly
willing to die saying God was his true friend.
On the scanold he was calm and made a few inco.
herent remarks, admitting his guilt and hoping for
violent aud on being cut down the examination by
the physicians showed that hts neck not dislo-
Gated. The matter created very little excitement in
the city, and the crowd in the neghDorhood Of the
prison was small.