The New York herald., 1875-03-25
ANOTHER STRANGLING.
Execution Of Joseph Brown at
PottsVille, Pa.
The Murder Of a Farmer and His
Wife Expiated.
The Last Nights Incidents and
Scenes at the Gallows.


PorTsvILLE, Pa, March "a, 1875.
The execution OF Joseph Brown this morning
was the most exciting occurrence that has taken
place here tor years. For days the coming event
has been the theme of public conversation. People
talked OF little ese 1t even absorbing the public in
terest and divertng it from the strike OF miners
and suspension OF railroad men. The morning broke
dark and stormy, a snow storm raging until few
moments before the prisoner was led to the
gallows. Brown bore himself bravely. Last night
he spent several hours smoking and chatting with
underkeepers OF the prison. He slept soundly six
hours and arose in goOd spirits, replying to
inquiries OF friends that ne was feeling first rate;
ne ate but little breakfast, and spent the interven-
ing hours with his minister's praying and reading
the Bible. At quarter to twelve O'Clock he was
led forth to execution. His steps never fal-
tered ana his bearing was wonderfully frm. He
mounted the scafYold II he were simply going up
the stairs OF his own house; he and his ministers
kneeled and prayed, Brown repeating the confes.
sion Of faith and the Lords Prayer. After the
benedicton the moose was adjusted by the Sherin.
Brown then said, "Lord, have mercy upon me. sin.
ner and my soul I commend to Jesus Christ" be-
tween sobs. He was very much agitated, ana he
would occasionally utter, "Dear Jesus Lamb Of
God."
Alter the white cap was drawn over his face ho
moaned and sobbec until the drop len, which took
place at eight minutes to twelve O'Clock. The fal.
Was our feet and hail. but the neck was not
broken, death ensuing from strangulation In
about fifteen minutes. The body hung twenty
five minutes and was then taken down.
A post-mortem examination OF the body was
made Immediately. The race was found in perfect
repose. In hall an hour the face began to dis.
color. The body Will be buried IN the jail yard.
An immense crowd OF persons were assembled
in the neIghborhood of the jail; housetops ana
trees being crowded with men and boys. About
eighty persons were present in the jail yard.
PARTICULARS OF THE CRIME
The crime for which Brown yielded up his life
on the gallows was one OF unusual atrocty-one
which sent thrill OF horror through all the coun.
try round about. Previous to Sunday night, Feb
ruary rs. 1872, there lived In Washington town.
shtr, In comfortable circumstances, an aged far
mer and his wife. Daniel 8. and Annetta Kreamer,
aged respectively sixty-four and fty-two years.
They were alone in their house, save that Mrs.
Machemer, the mother OF one OF the couple an
aged and infrm woman OF eighty nine, dwelt with
them. On Monday morning, February 20, Daniel
M. Kreamer, q son OF this couple, himself farmer
OF the neighborhooo, called at the homestead
about seven O'Clock. Entering The house he saw
no one in the front room, but in the back room
he saw q sight which must have chilled hia
blood. His aged mother lay stretched in her gore,
her face being hidden by blood. he lett the house
to summon aid and had lot gone more than two
hundred yards when he came upon the dead body
OF his father, lying In the middle OF the road, the
head and face shockingy beaten. Near by lay
club, evidently the instrument Of murder. The
alarm was gwen, and quickly the intelligence OF
murder spread through the peaceful, quiet neigh.
bornood, and people nocked to the scene OF the
lf~ nd hn oIivy
but remained unable to make any IN teligble com.
munica ton ior several days. Meantime the nor.
anxiety was manifested lest the murderer or mur.
derers might net be apprenended An examina.
the fact that chest and desk had been broken
open, and rined OF gold ana silver money known
to have been there: TnaL very day youth Of
Dor and relative OF Kreamers, left his w0rS OF
woOdchopplng and went to Auburn on the plea OF
wanting a broadaxe From Auburn he came to
Pottsvllle, paving mis- fare iu silver He entered
Charley Kantner's saloon and paid Tor glass Of
ale with silver. He then went TO the Miners
trust Company Bank and sold about $50 worth Of
silver coin. These lacts being known by Constable
Karcher and Charles Ewing, they proceeded 10
the mouse OF Browns 1ather and arrested Brown on
the 9th. At first he denied having sod any silver
in Pottsvlle; then confessed he had and said
he had saved it since he ten years old; finally
he confessed IL was Kreamer's money but said II
was gwen him by Isaac Hummel schoolooy Of
the neighborhood tunnel was arrested ike
wise, and the two prisoners were brought ia
Pottsvllie. on the 1st OF Marcn Hummel was dis.
at the time the murder was committed. Brown
was on tnat day lully committed TO prison by
Squire Reed to undergo trial, Mrs. reamer having
rallied sufficiently to state that he was In the
house few moments before she was stricken down.
On March | Emanuel Achenbach, VINO had been
arrested ON the 2Sth OF February, was also re.
leased Not content with The attempt to impllcate
young Hunmel Brown maoe such statements
regarding Jonn Bennehon that on the Stn Of
Maj ch he was arrested, being discharged the next
day, however. 1t became now a settled belief
that Joseph Brown, and he alone, Tor the sake OF
q fe dollars had committed double murder;
for Mrs. Kreamer only lived week longer than
her husband. 1t was regarded as a thing or hOr-
ror that one 30 young should nave done such
bloody work
THE LAW AND IT'S DELAY.
Brown was tried and a verdict OF guilty OF MUIR
der IN the 1rsi degree was returned on september
granted. The rule for trial was argued
on December 20, 1879, and on saturday, De-
cember 27, the Court refused TO grant new
trial, and Judge Green sentenced Brown to be
hanged. The was again taken TO the Su-
premc Court On the 10Th OF August, 1874 that Court
affirmed the Judgment OF the Court below, aud
ordered the record to be remitted Tor execution.
There now remained no hope except by appica-
ton to the Board Of Pardons and the Governor.
Reasons were flied why the warrant should not
issue, but the Attorney General disposed or them
as follows TO the Cove nor:-"l nave carefully
considered all the legaI objections urged against
the issuing Of the warrant In this case ana am OF
the opinion they are not sufficient In law 10 war
rant You In SC doing"
Accordingly, on February "a 1875, Governor
Hartranit issued the warrant Tor Browns eXecu-
tion on March "a, 1875.