Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-07-18
Double Execution 10 Pennsylvania.

OF the law tor the murder OF ADran
Beh,n. an old farmer living q short dis
tance from Middletown, Dauphiu coun-
", on the evening of November IA,
1873. The victim lived with his aged
brother and an old housekeeper on 4
small farm in an humble way, but the
murderers, who had but lately served
out terms in Imprisonment, planned the
murder of the whole household under
the belief that they had lived there so
long they must have saved up consid-
cradle sum of money. The murderers
secreted themselves in the barn on the
above evening and murdered their vie
tim with fall when he came in TO she'll
corn. The brother came soon after to
call him, when the wretches, appalled,
at their bloody crime, fled. The alarm
was given and they were pursued and
caught. Rosentine came from Virginia
in 1865. He was the planner of the
horrible crime. Both the condemned
men made confessions short time after
the sentence Of death had been pro-
nounced upon them. They differed
slightly on few points, but showed
that both were guilty of the horrible
crime, which had been premeditated.
Rosentine had for some time past eX-
pressed himself as being prepared and
ready to die, while Moody acted sulien,
and seemed to hope for executive elem
ency up to within few days OF the
timeeset for the execution. when a meet
ing of the CONDEMNED was brought abOnt
at which Moody also expressed his vii
lingness 20 die. Rev. Dr. Stelling, of
the First English Lutheran Church, OF
Harrisburg, and Rev Mr. Baker, color
Ell, have been very attentive to the pris-
oncrs, and given them all the religious
aid that lay in their power. Rosentine
slept from 3 to o'clock this morning.
Moody did not, but walked his cell all
night. This morning Moody had a
conversation with his father and wife
through the windows of his cell. Ro-
sentine had no relations and very few
visitors but his spiritual advisers. From
s to 1880 this morning divine service
was held in the cells Of the doomed
men. They manifested great interest
and appeared much impressed. Fervent
prayers for the salvation of their souls
were offered by the clergy in attend
ance. At least two hundred persons
were present in the jail yard.
TIE sCAFFoLD,
which had been used several times, was
erected AS close to the southwestern
wall of the yard as possible, in order to
prevent outsiders from viewing the exc
cution from the house tops, trees, &c,
overlooking the yard. At IL this
morning Moody and Rosentine were
brought together for religious exercises.
The meeting was very friendly. a
lunch was served them, of which they
partook with a relish Rosentine made
the remark that it was the last meal on
earth, and hoped the next would be IN
Heaven. Moody seemed reconciled to
his fate. Wilkins Grey and John Pres
ton, both witnesses against the con-
demned, were brought from their cells
to those of the prisoners, where a rec
onciliation took place between them.
At 1927 the prisoners were brought IN
to the jail yard, accompanied by the
clergy and Moody's wife and father.
Moody and Rosentine ascended the
scaffold with very firm step. a hymn
was sung, the prisoners joining in with
great animation. Rev. Mr.. Baker read
an appropriate chapter from the Bible.
A fervent prayer was then offered by
the same clergyman. Rev. Dr. Sterling
followed in prayer.
DYING SPEECHES.
At 12.40, the Spiritual exercises being
closed, Rosentine made a short address;
hoped every man would forgive him, as
he knew God had forgiven him, aud
hoped to meet all in Heaven. 81 bless
all who pray for ME. | hope to meet
YOU all again. | thank God that | can
die now. l have done wrong, and am
sorry for it. have no bad feeling
against any one ! murdered Abram
Benin. | bid you all good bye. May
God have mercy on my soul. Amen.
Moody made longer speech, but 1t
was very incoherent, the substance oil
which was that he was along with Ro-
sentine, and deserved to die; hoped tor
forgiveness, thanked his attendants tor
their kind treatment, prayed God to
bless all his friends, and hoped to meet
his mother in Heaven.
HOW THEY DIED.
While the caps were put over their
heads their hands and feet were plnion-
ed, and at 1880 the drop fell with
loud thud Rosentine died almost IN
stantly, no movement being noticeable,
with the exception of a slight heavlng
Of the chest. Moody struggled consld-
erably for three or four minutes. After
hanging about thirty minutes life was
pronounced extinct.
Moodys remains will be handed over
to his family, and Rosentines to the
county.
The only eligible spot from where
the execution was to be seen was from
the roof of the courthouse, where about