The New York herald., 1872-10-05
Execution Of John Barclay, at Columbus,
Chic, Yesterday for the Murder
Of Charles +. Garner.
4 Brutal Murder and How It Was
Committed.
The Last Moments Of the
Condemned.
A MEDICAL TEST AFTER DEATH.

= = =
COLUMBUS, Oct. T. 1872.
On the 2Sth day OF November, 1871 Mr. Charles
F. Garner, well-to-do farmer and stock dealer, OF
Delaware county, the adjoining county to this, left
his home about sixteen miles distant for this city,
with Q load OF stock. He spent most of the day in
the transaction OF his business here, and left for
home between two and three O'Clock in the after
noon Of the same day, little dreaming that beneath
the seat Of his stock wagon lay crouched O man
who had enjoyed his hospitality and lived in his
family and who would soon afterwards, in the at
tempt to rob him, take his life. When about five miles
nom the city, while passing through covered
bridge over what is known as Alum Greek, he was
suddenly dealt blow from behind which feled him
nom his seat to the floor OF the bridge and while
lying there he was dealt other blows that soon left
MIN unconscious. His clothes were badly torn. He
was robbed Of over 5000. How long he remained
insenslble is not known. At all events, when he
regained his senses he was barely able to mount
his wagon and drive on to a hospitabe mansion
about three miles from the bridge, which he en-
tered, covered with the evidences OF the most
FEARFUL BRUTALITY.
His head was literally mashed. the skull being
broken in several places, his whole mien giving
evidence OF the terrible struggle that had ensued
In the attempt made by the robber to take his life
He was given such immediate succor as the terri
fed people in the house could give. For six days
Garner fingered without the ability to speak, and
finally died In fearful agony without having had
the power during his suiTerngs to tell the story of
the conflict which cost him his life.
THE STORY OF GARNER's ROBBERY
and his subsequent death spread like wildfre
throughout this city and the adjoining counties.
He was man of correct habits was generally
and tlyol txit Nyl,nr ha In
contact. He was seen to leave town by his many
friends on the day of the death struggle with no
attendant How he could have been assaulted and
by whom was mystery which 1t was hard to un-
de rstand Garner's body was carried to its final
resting place before suspicion directed itself to the
man who was
THE MURDERER.
In the multiplicity OF conversations upon the
subject OF Garners death it became known that
man had been seen crouching beneath the box of
his wagon on the fatal afternoon, and description
Of him. wi tn his blue Overcoat and hammer handle
protrudng from the pocket, led to the arrest Of q
young man by the name Of John Barclay. On the
Saturday following Mr.. Garner's demise after Bar
cay's arrest, link after link in chain of almost
positive evidence was wound about the young
man until 1t became certain that Garners mur-
derer had been really found. At the May term
Of the Court of Common Pleas OF Franklin
county, in this city, the case was called for
trial, George X. Nash, prosecuting attorney and
Hon. George L. Converse representing the State.
Judge W. X. Rankin and II. c. Noble, two OF the
most prominent attorneys in the city, came forward
to plead for Barclays life. The trial was had and
oil
THE SHOCKING DETAILS OF THE MURDER
prese nted, and he was convicted of murder in the
Hrst degree and sentenced to be hanged. The really
dramatic part Of this case did not commence until
ffort tho trio hoh ty,a had
60 nvctcd Then began a series OF declarations and
intrigues the part OF the prisoner, and refusal
to listen to religious teachings and general belief
In the powers of darkness to assist him in his
escape, such as were rarely or ever heard OF in
similar case in this country. He made solemn
DECLARATIONS OF HIS INNOCENCE,
wrote long narratives to the Governor, giving an
account OF his early lie, pleading for commuta-
ton OF sentence. He read Tom Paine's WORKS and
derived comfort therefr0m, and for 100 days OF the
lis given him to prepare for death he remained
without the consultations or desire for the conso-
Judgment Overcame his bad nature, and he gave
way to the teachings of the Bible.
Thompson, the representative of the HERALD was
allowed to sec the condemned lew days before
Barclay was found to be boyish-looking fellow,
sparely built, about medium size and weighing
about one hundred and forty pounds. From his
own lips the terrible truth was learned that he had
been guilty OF every offence In the criminal code,
nom petit larceny to murder.
was queer as well as terrible one. Born of indi-
gent parents, with father who was pauper, he
scarcey an e sse
ran away from the care Of the county, taking her
brother with her. her and from that time till the war
and with strangers for an honest livelihood. Soon
after the beginning OF the war he enlisted in the
Eighteenth United states regulars and served
during the entire war. After the war had closed
he returned home TO begin
CAREER OF CRIME.
Before his for execution weeks. ana even months,
he made light OF religious belief. One day to the
Sherf, when he called him, lie said, ''Sherin, don't
D-p RELIGIOUS BUSINESS.
have got book in here that have been reading.
1t was pretty smart old fellow that wrote 1t. l
tell you, have a copy OF Tom Pane-Paines age
Of Reason Only q day or two since, when ap-
man who is the jail physician, he called the Sheriff
TO him and said quietly, ''Sherin it don't make any
after am gone and If 1t will be OF any benefit to
science ana any OF those
YOUNG 'R00sTERS'
that are studying medicine want my body have
no objection In the world to its being handed over
to them, but don't want these old doctors to have
with him he told me that he would be twenty
eight years three months ana ten days old on the
day OF his execution; that he was. born at Lock
about Columbus all his life.
'You have always protested your entire innocence
OF the crime for which you are to suffer death''
"Ycs sir" he replied, quietly, until recently;
Sn say am gua mv the cpTma mnr
dered Garner and cannot deny IT.
CONFESSION OF THE CRIME.
He said that between the Goth Of october and 21th
OF November, ISL, he premeditated robbing Gar
ner, who had been his employer, on Monday, No
vember y, In Columbus, and then gave the follow
ing account OF the MURDER
Gamers wagon was two-horse wagon, with
the bed about eight or ten inches high, ana the
rack Is about four feet high sat inside and Gar
ner on the top OF the rack. The dash board coming
up in front and the top OF the rack coming down,
was all closed in 'front.' Garner had temporary
seat on top of the rack, and he was sitting on that
with o blanket leaching down over the side, so
that q person Could not notice me until he got di-
rectly opposite, II he passed me on one side lNd
wagon bed, and had my coat pulled over my
head. Garner came out to the Commons and