The New York herald., 1878-08-17
THE GALLONS.
Execution Of John Ten Eyck for the Murder
Of M. and Mrs. Stillman.
N O CON FES SION.
The Cul pdt Goes to His Last Account
Protesting His Innocence.
HIS HORRIBLE CRIME
N O CON FES SION.
HIS HORRIBLE CRIME

tho body o John Ten Eyck, the negro murderer OF
Mr.. aud Mrs. stillmaD, oil Sheffield, was swung from
tho scafold and his soul sent to It's judgment. his
last words On earth were uttered in protesting his
innocence OF the crime laid to his charge.
Ho maintained thai he was bounded BY the
officers OF the law, convicted by pcrjured
and suborned witnesses, aud executed to allay tho
public excitement and thirst Tor vengeance. Ger
tainly event that has transpircd In Berkshire
county tor a number OF years caused so much stF
among the farmers ana villagers. Large throngs
camo In from Tho rural districts. well knowing that
they could not procure tickets OF admission, but
trusting to chance for view OF The execution They
crowded around tho jail entrance and were
loud In their demands for opportunity to
SATISFY themselves That tho 1end who had
brutaily butchcrcd two inofepsive old people had
PAID the legal penalty. About two hundred tickets
mad been issued by Sncrin Root and the hoders
admitted from hali-pasi nino TIL the nxsd
tho execution ana assigned by the ushers to seats
specially set apart Tor them.
scAFFoLD.
At half past ten the Sheriff announced that all the
preparations had been completed. The chaplain had
reached the ceii'of tho condemned man soon after
nine o'clock and prayed with him, exhor,ing him 70
make peace with his Maker while he had yet time.
Hc promised the poor wretch happy future II he
would only repent and humble himself by impIor-
ing pardon for his sins The murderer seemed
subducd by these soothing expressions, and when
he appeared on the steps OF tho scaioli he looked
calm and resigned The chaplain accompanied him.
Sheriff Root hoadsng the procession. AS soon as the
party reached tho platform OF the scaod the chap
lam stationed himself the prisoners left the
Sheriff on his right. Tho moose which was dangling
from the top beam attracted the attention OF the
unfortunate man as he took his place on the drop
and gazed curlously over tho assembled witnesses
There ~ero u low seconds OF painful silence, which
probably seemed hours to tho condemned man, when
Parson Harrison stepped forward and said
IN behalf of Ten Eyck, that he had nothing
to say except tnat he was entirely In
nocent Of the crime for which no was about
10 die. Tho reverend gentleman then offered prayer.
committing tho prisoner TO that mercy and forgive
ness dcnled him here on Garth, remarking IN tho
course OF hts Invocation that IL the condemned man
dod guilty his act was the result o noIy hquds aud
no hoped his sad fate would DO warn
ing to all who are gwen 10 the evil Of
the scene was interrupted by tho outside crowd
making attompt 10 gain access to the jail through
vigorous use OF the Dcts in the hands Of Inc aepu-
ties. Tho death warrant was road when Person Har-
rison mad flushed his prayer. Then tho assisting
deputies adjusted the black cap and In rapid
siou Sheriff Root put his loot upon tho taaI spriGg
rhs drop fell with n heavy thud. and John
Ten Eyck went down aud ous with tho
hearty endorsement of an excited community
The mock 0 the condemned man WAS not broken aud
death cnsucd IRON painful stranguiation during
which the unfortunate man wrigeied ana squrmod
in q manner that WAS peculiarly gratifying 20 thos0
who bered the terrible crime which the wretch
had committed. There was no sympathy tor tho
wretch; many who could not soc cut de without
showing signs OF Weakness looking on the death
satisfaction
TIN EYcK's ooRREsPoHpgxcE.
The following letters wore written last Saturday =:
PirrsyIKLD August IL. 1879.
DxAR FRIENDS DEAR CuILDngS This Is last letter to
you ha. want TO hans yYu Tor "a" oil your kindness 'o
shall SO. you here In this wicked world
in Jesus Orrist you all heaven Goo says:
surely rhssS H. sn sn unto ,ns% tina;
believe Cod has my prayers, H. has borne me me
up ,% dod ossd
mach ha. lie gave His lite 70 save US and today e
nw' h s a. I. s'iHaE % r sa 1ps ns
ior that may iive"-yes that we may esernaly
Franklin. you have eomorted mo In my last hours;
sa Hss: s ny area, sas' about my sas:
my son. never, never forret your grnndia iashor and
% 10 4S sSrt ]
@ @ w e Ss cid : ASS BE- %
them in their So aye RensmSer m, !. :. you, 1n.y and
% asS to 10 our auy in a" su Re%sr ss.
zee her often AS you can. Try by good example
and on The Cir road to heaven Keep his letter. my
s. ss. sSs Words saf to his sncn Gs aIa are s
tain~d in this ettsr
Ana Aftuur TINS ieUer Wheu you Ter
truie yoar thcr all meet .ether ThiIx OF the
love affection for each Of you that flowed
duty ana Al. that can do and that in heart
Now mus. close. forever to write no more in
liked 70 have seen Uernshs and usry. aud should nave
come herself 1hsrs has beon time would
any,hng ~ my power Tor her rorhsps the poor woman
protect and eles. and save alt aud grant that
all NEE; never 20 part no more. meet Ia heaven Uh
o blessed thoushtl Never Sigh al
wavs to bs happy, tree from all and lstori
n & 20 so sa Ha ssh s%a 80 wiz
lam aud ALL Ana send my love to all also to all old friends
Tho letter 70 We gwen 70 bo kept by him that he may
with the other children refer to their fathers last ietcr
10 Arthur Zen eycs. from his father, john Ten Eyek
igARkwELL LETTER To MS wifE.
PifrsreLD, August 7, 1873.
Know that noas hours fs
my .sa 80 yoS but "ns ny You yss LAG Ms,s
home this sad end Of mne would never have happencd
had been should never have been passing ths
house "s o c.a ss .ss ns s T sd I
swoo false asan, Nc TO make OUT had ,hrostened those
Of Exodus the IAN God has that
10 murder ia ,he len commandments;
have got three wives. uh. What a sad and dreadful
4sss%i @s. oaSc GU MAD and whom you
% die think OF %e aoa hoy, nov ie.' tor yosr & soul
irenaly icsiin1 toward all aud may God bess Tne
you 20 dod. You have OF lsts seoined me, ba,
write this to advice from dying man May IL do
you pood. What great comfort IL woaiI be 10 me 10
snOw before died had given heart to God
All these days you aud have spent together In tho
enjoyment OF sin against Cod On, I tell you what
sadaess those dsvs w,lI when come TO die
wish 4 could tell you now feel. FRY 10 live
may In heaven There not promise tor deatu
oed repentance. | have read the B,bic through and
through again. AMI Tod has made no promise fot
repentance on our deathbeds, anu when you
arc there remember last dying wotds
write this to you In affection and tears. scUtn IL
or not as you please ieei that Ia these my dying
words doing duty To aud 10 Uod, aud ~ 10
ALI do in my last hours should have write be
had known to write, aud asked you
10 come aud before died You nave come
have been hsrealinost nine months. freely Tor
give all, God bless a friends aud foes
ny love 10 all. farewell. Farewell Dauy farewell AIRY
farewell ALL hope to meet you all In heaven. From
JOHN TEN EiUk.
HISTORY OF THR CRIME.
Tho offence for whicn Ten Eycx to-day suffered the
extreme penalty OF tue Law was most horrible
double murder The victims were David Stinian
aud hts wiic, very worthy couple, hvInr alone n
little house, own,d by thom on Tue sheffield ROAD.
The muracr was committed ON Thanksgiving Day,
November 10, 1871 Jonu Carey, IT,. an Irisn boy,
fourteen years OF age was the rst person TO discover
the bodies. lie passed by tho house on the morning
ol the 30th, aud nuding the back aoor open went 10
and found Mr. SULLIVAN lying on "a lounge with his