Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-02-18
Execution OF John Howard at Cumber-
land, nd.

lana, nIu.
A correspondent, writing 10 the BsIu.
more Sun gives the following particulars
of the execution Of John Howard. al
Cumberland, on Friday last, the 10Th in.
slant:
This being the day fixed fer The execu.
lion Of John Howard. alias Shorty Evans,
alias John Lewis. convicted in October
las. Of the murder of Capt. Henry Miller,
near Old Town, in this county. on the
18th Of August last. The population Of the
surrounding country began 10 pour into
The city at an early hour.
Grounds in Arendance.-The railroad
trains brought large numbers Of people.
many Of whom arrived last night. and
hundreds arrived in vehicles, on horse
hack and on mules. until the streets were
,hronged The sun was bright, the air
crisp and cold. Large crowds collected
in iron, OF the Jail at an early hour. and
remained there unIll the prisoner was
brought out. A detachmen. Of The mill
tsry from the Fifteenth Regiment, VI. N.
g.. numbering about one hundred men,
under the command Of Capt. Neil Wood
row. formed al The armory, and al III
o'clock proceeded 10 the county jail.
Night and NOrning HOms.-The
prisoner was attended during the morning
by his spiritual advisers. Rev. Henry
Nice. Of The Methodist Protestant Church
and Rev. II. G. Holloway. Of The Eng
lish Lutheran Church. who offered 10
him the consultations Of religion, and he
protested TO be reconciled to his fate. and
to have obtained pardon of The Almighty
for his sins. He ale heartily last nighI OF
stewed oysters, with which he was treat.
ed, aud slep, as soundly as II unconscious
,ha, it was his last night on esrth.
MOumg 10 the ScgGoid-A Street
PyocsssiOn-Miiiiary, e'c.-The pro.
granme Of the execution was laid down
in accordance with the custom Of the
county in times past. A band OF music
accompanied The military. The prisoner
was brought oo, about moor. Instead OF
placing him upon his coffin in wagon.
with his shroud upon him, ss had been
the custom, he wore brown coat and nat
and shawl. and was placed in ca'TIage.
with his Two spiritual advisers, and WIN.
Shelter. the deputy sheriff, on The sea.
with hin. This change was made IN
Difference to public sentiment. promi.
nen, cinzen Of town having offered his
own carriage Tor the use Of the prisoner,
10 avoid an unseen.ly spectacle. Al
though the offer was declined by she
,heutf. ,be desired change Vas made.
The procession left Ihe AL al u O.
clock. headed by sheriff Lsymsn and a
Giend. The carriage with the prisoner
followed. who had handkerchief TO his
eyes, and next The band Of music and mil
ilary guard. and then an open wagon with
a handsome walnut coffin, and large
procession Of persons, The sidewalks IN
The meantime being crowded with per.
sons, among whom were many women,
spparenIly from the country around. In
This manner il proceeded through the
principal streets until It reached The coun-
~ grounds. about mile distant.
Arrival at place Of Erecution-Rti-
gious Services. ac.-The carriage drew
up to its steps. when the Rev. MessIs.
Nice and Holloway sligh'ed, followed by
the prisoner supported by the deputy
sheriff. The moment the prisoners foot
touched the ground lie exclaimed.
"Thsnk God. die a good man " As
they sscended The scallolJ. the Rev. MIR.
Nice read aloud the first Two verses Of
the sis. psalm. Have mercy upon me,
o, God, according 10 Thy loving kindness;
according unto The nululudts Of Thy ten
der mercies blot out my rrsnsgress'On..
"Wssh me thoroughly from m,ne Inlqui-
is, and cleanse me from my sin."
Ga reaching the platform, prayer was
offered BY Rev. Mr.. HolIoway-'he prs
oner. whose arms were pinIoned, being
assisted 10 kneel down by the bench. The
ministers kneslins al side. The prisoner
frequently made audible responses Of
Amen. At The conclusion OF The prayer.
The sheriff. with his sss:sisnIs, proceeded
10 pu, on the prisoner his shroud. which
enveIoped his whole body. The sbroUd.
ing and The fixing Of lhe rope around 'he
neck Of The prisoner occupied some time.
The prisoner frequently repeating Ihe
words. IL die good man." die
Christian man."
Soiemniiy Of The Scene-Ths scene
was very solemn and imprs'si'e. The
noi.e and conversation Of The ibousands of
Spectators were hUshed. The interest hav-
ing reached lis utmost limit Of tension.
The prisoner as he stood under The drop.
look ing his last upon The mtridisn 'un.
and The fair scene before hin. seemed TO
gaze for a moment al some point in The
nid-heavens, as II
"His eye was scanning in doubt and fear
The path OF the spirits unknown career"
Remarks Of Rsp. Mr.. Niee.-Afier
the moose had been adjusted by the sber.
if[. during which the prisoner complained
iha, it was 10 tight. &C.. the Rev. Mr.
Nice. addressing The spectators. said
MIR. Howard desires me 10 say. on
his behalf. 10 al who see him 10 bis