Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1873-11-12

the execution would take place The
sheriff replied between the hours OF 10
A. NJ. and BPM. Wade then requested
the sheriff to have the job performed
before IL o'clock, as be bad an engage
ment ir hell at that hour. He said
be would walk to the gallows like
man, aud there would make q speech,
giving the chief-of- police and other peo-
pie hell.
The prison doors we're thrown open
20 persons holding permits at l o'clock.
The main entrance was guarded by
detail of police. Twelve jurors accom-
panied by Sheriff Van Busklrk and ply
sicians 6rst entered, followed BY the re-
porters. A few minutes prior to one
o'clock, Revs. DIR. Riley and james
Curns, Presiding Elder, both Of the
Methodist persuasion, entered the
doomed mans cell, and ministered to
him a short time. At l o'clock the
line was formed and proceeded to the
scaffold as follows Two ministers, the
murderer between the sheriff and chief
of-police, deputy and policeman. Upon
arrival at the scaffold, the sheriff read
the death-warrsnt, during the reading
of which Wade was composed, but had
a deep scowl on his countenauce. He
then stepped on the fatal trap. He was
dressed 10 dark gray coat, light vest
and pantaloons, low shoes and silk hat,
no collar or necktie. He spoke as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen and Feiior. Citizens of The
United States Remember me this day.
am going to leave the world, guilty of
the murder of John and Isabella Me-
Bride. have told you, and you read in
the papers how | committed the deed,
vet the commonwealth did not seem sat
is6ed. There were witnesses who
swore they saw me at the stables that
night. 1t was false, and | hope God
will forgive them for swearing falsely
hope and pray that at the day of res
direction the newspaper zen and you
all will meet me in heaven. L am GO
ing to home which lawyers and police
men cannot deprive me of-a hohe
from which sheriffs cannot snatch me.
In rambling manner he spoke ol
the flag of the Union and the enthusl-
asm he felt for it. declaring that Me-
Brides gold and silver and all the gold
in the world could not buy it.
81 stand on the death trap, and l ask
you to fight for the Union in the wal
which think is not far distant. May
God bless you all, and remember that
Jesus died for us all. You thought
would have to be carried to the gallows
but | committed the deed, aud | know
l must answer for it. Remember thai
Governor Geary ate his breakfast and
J left this world suddenly so, be pre-
pared. God bless you all, and may He
mercy on my SOUL God bless me ~
Wade was then seated on a cnair
after which Rev. DIR. Riley made some
remarks on the solemn and melancholy
occasion. During the Rev. gentleman
remarks, Wade appeared unusually ex'
cited, casting his eyes in every direc'
tion He again took his position on the
fatal trap, at the same time handing hi.
silk hat to policeman and telling hin
to do whatever he pleased with it. Hi,
arms we're then pinionsd behind hi:
back, the moose adjusted around hi;
neck by the sheriff, and the black car
drawn over his lead. Wade then said
"Nay God have mercy on my SOUL"
Sheriff Van Buskirk struck the lever
with firm hand, the trap gave way
and horrible sight ensued. The col
of the rope loosened, and the feet o.
the murderer came violently in contac,
with the ground. At this jnncturs
Wade threw his head back and shouted
at the top of his voice, "God have mer'
cy on my SOUL" repeating the exclama
tion three times. The Moose was then
slipped over hi. head, and his body fell
to the ground like log. The specta-
tors rushed to the scaffold, aged men
wrung their hands and wept like clil-
dren. From the multitude shout Of
"Oh, God what a sight !" went up,
while numbers quilted the prison ard.
The police drove the crowd back, and
picking up the murderer carried him on
the scaffold again, Wade asking them
to let him walk up. 1t was horrible
sight to see the murderer again placed
on the fatal trap. Again and again did
he implore God to have mercy on bis
soul. Again was the moose placed
around lis neck; again did the sheriff
strike the lever. and the body of Wade
dangled between heaven aud earth.
While preparations for the second
fearful launch we're being made, Wade
coolly asked the sheriff whether the
rope didn't slip; said his neck was sore,
and made another remark iuaudible to
the press correspondents during the ex-
citement. At five minutes past two
o'clock life was pronounced extinct BY
the physicians. The body was imme-
diately cut down and placed in a coffin
apJ ,ar,.,tta1 60 -