Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-09
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The GaIIOMS


DOUBLE EXECUTION IN HARRISBURG.
HARRISBURG, PA, Jlly 9.-ro-day Al Il. "a
p. m Lewis Rosentine and John MOODY psid
the highest penalty OF the law for the murder
OF Abrsm Benin, an old farmer living A short
distance from Middletowu, Dauphin county
on the evening OF November Il, 1873. Both OF
tue condemned men made confessions a short
time after the sentence OF death had been pro
nounced upon them. They differed slightly in
Few points, but showed that both were guilty
OF the horrible crime, which had been premeii-
tated. Rosentine had for some time mast e,-
pressed himself as being prepared and resfy to
dle, while Moody acted sullenly and seemed 10
nope Tor executive clemency up 70 within a few
days of the tine set for the execution whom a
meeting OF the condemned WAS brought about
Al which Moody also expressed his readiness 90
ole. hey. DIR. SteltiDg, OF the First English
Lutheran Church Of Harrisburg and Rev NJ
Baker, colored, have been very attentive 20
the condemned men, and have given them
AL the rellgl0us aid that lay in their power
hosentlne slept from TO 6 O'Clock this morning
Moody did not. but walked his cell ali ni-ht
This morning Moody had a Conversation wen
ms latter ana wife through the window of his
cell. hosentlne has no relatives and very few
visitors but his spiritual advisers From 10
1850 this morning divine service was held in the
cell OF the doomed men. They manifested great
interest and appeared much impressed Fer
vent prayers for the salvation OF their so1is
were onered by the clergy in attendance. At
least ZoO persons were present in the jail yarI.
Inc scafold, which had been used several
tunes, was erected as close to the southwestern
wall OF the yard as possible, in order TO prevent
outsiders from viewing the execution from
mouse tops, trees, &c, overlooking the ward
AT II a. m. Moody and Rosentine were brought
together Tor religious exercises. The meeting
was very friendly. A lunch was served of which
they partook with q relish. Rosentine sadit
was his last meal on earth, and he hoped the
next would be in Heaven. Moody seemed
reconciled TO his fate. wilkins Grey and John
Preston, both witnesses against the condemned
were brought from their cells to those of the
prisoner, where reconciliation took place be-
tween them. At 1927 the prisoners were
brought into the jail ard, accompanied by the
clergy and Moody's wife and father. MOODY
and Rosentine ascended TO the scaffold with
very IN m steps. A hymn was sung, the prison.
ers joining in with great animation. Rev. MIR.
BaEer read an appropriate chapter from the
Blole. fervent prayer was then offered by
lowed in prayer. AT 1910 the spiritual exercises
being closed, ROsentine made q short address
he hoped every man would forgive him a.
, ne sne e Goa mad forgiven him. He hoped TO
me. L hope to meet you all again. thank
God can die now. have done wrong aud am
sorry for it. ] have no bad feeling against any
one. murdered Abrsm BehDl. L bid you all
Amen"
Moody made longer speech, but il was very
lncoherent. the substance of which WAS that he
was with Rosentine, and deserved to die. He
hoped for forgiveness, thanked his attendants
for kind treatment; prayed God TO bless all his
friends. and hoped 70 meet his mother in Hea-
ven. White bags being placed over their heads,
their arms and feet were pinioned, and at 1880
the drop fell with a loud thud. Rosentine died
almost instantly. No movement was notice
able, with the exception of a slight heaving of
the chest. Moody struggled considerably for
three or four minutes. After hanging about
thirty minutes, life was pronounced extinct.
Moody's remains will be handed TO his family
and Rosentine's to the county. The only eligi
bic spot from where the execution was 20 he
seen was from the roof of the courthouse.
where about one hundred persons were gath
cred.