The New York herald., 1874-07-10

The Hanging of ROsentine and
Moody at Harrisburg.
A Full Confession by the Colored
Culprits.

to-day, and the occurrence naturally created in
tense excitement IN this city, in the Jail yard OF
| which the hanging took place. The candidates
| for the gallows were two negroes, named Lewis
Rosentlne, native OF Virginia, aged about twenty
four years, and John Moody. OF Harrisburg, aged
twenty-three years.
THE CRIME.
On the 18th or November Moody and Rosentine
left Harrisburg with the deliberate purpose OF CON-
mitttng murder and supplementing 1t with rob-
berry. They had been told by friend that money
could be obtained q short distance below Middle
town, this county, and to the treasure this
scheme was cOncocted. On the morning OF
the 14th Of November the negroes pre-
sented themselves at the small ana anti
quated house Of Abraham and Joseph Benin,
two unmarried brothers-the former seventy
years old, and the latter sixty-nine. They pre-
tended to be out OF money and work and suffering
from hunger. The hOusekeeper, who had been in
the employ OF the Benin family for more than
quarter of q century, supplied them with edlbles,
after which the negroes went into an adjoining
carpenter shop, where the brothers were
at work, and asked them numerous questions
relative to their pecuniary condition, receiving in
reply the statement that they owned a small tract
OF land and the buildings thereon erected. Moody
and Rosentine departed. About noon they were
seen returning In the direction OF the Benin barn
suspicion. Her eyes followed them until they
reached declivity in the road which shut them
out from further view. This was the last observed
OF them until night
A few minutes after sunset Abraham Benin
made his final trip to the barn which he had
visited for thirty-fve years without mOlestaton.
Supper having been prepared an hour afterwards,
and Mr.. Benin not having made his appearance,
little girl was despatched to the barn TO inform
him that his evening meal was ready She called
him several times, but received no answer Sub
sequently Joseph Benin and the housekeeper en-
tered the barn with lantern, and almost the first
objects their gaze encountered blood
spots on heap OF corn which the old
man had shelled by a simple wood
contrivance. They prosecuted their investigation
further and were soon startled by the spectacle Of
the liIeIess and bloody body OF Mr. Benin, partially
concealed IN bed OF stray and the the POCKETS ss Of
heard retreating footsteps near by, and with rare
presence Of mind the woman woman hurred TO t9e
bOrs to the scene. The murderers were still
lurking in the vicinity, with view of
night. The sounding Of the alarm inter-
iered with their arrangements, and in his rage
Moody threw the short end Of fiail. with which
| the MURDER had been committed, at the house.
keeper. The implement covered with blood, came
near striking ITS intended object. The woman
then ascended to the SECOND story of the house
and renewed the ALARM Fearing that the neigh
bors would soon come to the help of the bereaved
and imper1lled family the negroes fed
THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
| The murderers were tried In January, ana, after
I'VE days had M been zen occupied, the case was sub; b;
guilty five hours alterward. At the trial abundant
testimony was adduced to show tnat the prisoners
had been seen In the nelgnborhoOd oil the scene
OF the murder before and Immediately alter its
perpetration. The old shoemaker was clear in his
blouse stolen by them from his shop.
A brother.in.law of Moody's testified to
the cane in his his possession and to having foand the
thrown by or at the instance OF the murderer. The
| man st whose limekn the negroes called on the
night OF the tragedy stated that he had received
small quantity OF leaf tobacco from Moody, arti
Benms. This evidence, in connection with the
fac, that the tSssHS stored % in the
tributed largely to the ic copvcton Of ' The pris @
oners. 1t was also shown that Rosentne, who
ceny, had I remarked to number OF iellow.pris. M
oners that he intended committing a robbery
below MddietSWn Nn Wsere asa the t CRIME was com
blood, and further that he had admitted to
number OF persons on his return to Harrisburg
CONFESSIONS BY THE NEGROES
A week after the conviction Of the negroes judg
were being sentenced TO the galIows Rosentlne
became greatly agitated, and from sheer ex-
Ss % s 0 s eu Motdy Ns re-
accustomed bravado, denied that he had anything
to do with the murder, and berated the witnesses
Rosentine made what purported to be full
confession IN the presence Of the prison
Moody when the crime was committed, he took no
active part in 1t. Two days following Moody also
s@ eS bSa m1s R s s sa Sa M
sla&n him. AS Moody prepared MS statement after
having read that Of his accomplice, and as he au-
declarations received no credence. Shortly after
Mr: Behm had entered while he was In
saegy pSsnTs shs1 ae his vcm asy us
as Moody was preparing S aa to strike with the heavy
81 sne his ana up a.
claimed, 81 must go to the housep' He had
scarcely uttered the words before the merciess
violent force. The victim called for assistance,
which the Ass assassin IN answered by administering
A faint indication of life being still perceptibe,
Moody clutched the helpless old man by the
throat and strangled him. When the little
Kill her with the blood-bespattered club but
Rosentne caught his arm while he was in the act
der Mr.. Behms brother and the housekeeper, but
his associate again interfered and prevented him
Moody also proposed to kill the old shoemaker for
the purpose OF securing money which he believed
| the man had In his possession.
| PREPARING FOR DEATH.
Rosent1ne had Tor some time expressed himself
as being prepared to die, while Moody acted sui.
lenly and seemed to hope for Exc cutive cemency
up to within few days Of the time set for the
execution. wnen meeting OF the condemned men
was brought about, at which Moody also expressed
his readiness to die. Rev. DR.. Stelling, OF the
! First English Lutheran church Of Harrisburg and
Rev. Mr.. Baker (cOlored) have been very attentive
| to the prisoners and have given them all the
| religious aid that lay In their power.
ROsentine slept from three to six O'Clock this
morning. Moody did not sleep but
WALKED HIS CELL ALL NIGHT.
This morning Moody had O conversation with
! his father and wife through the window OF his
! cell. Rosentine has no relatives and has had very
few visitors but his spiritual advisers. From eight
| to half-past ten divine service was held In the
| cells OF the doomed men. They manifested
great interest and appeared much Impressed.
were offered by the clergy In attendance. At least
200 persons were present In the jail yard The
scatold, which had been used several times, was
erected as close to the southwestern wall Of the
I yard as possible, In order to prevent outsid srs
! from viewing the execution from the housetops,
| trees &C., overlooking the yard.
AT eleven A. M. Moody and Rosentine were