Connecticut western news., 1878-08-22

took his first glass, and to that he attributes l his downfall and the beginning of worlds of sorrow.
 At the age of 16, he was married to Rebecca Robinson, by whom he had several children, only two of whom, boy and 6 girl, are now living. They separated in few years, and we believe she is yet living. His first crime was forgery, for which he received sentence of three years ln Lenox house of correction, and that at about 21 years of age. After that he "ofked at various places in that section for some years. His quarrelsome nature, dissipa- ted haDlts and natural inclination to crime, Ca long category of which he has confessed,) made him often in brawls and difficulty, and his name is on the records of Berkshire quite often for crimes of different grades, to the death sentence which has just been executed. In short, as he informed his spiritual adviser, the other day, he says he cannot look back over h1s lie now spent, or single good deed done, or kind thought. The question of better life or religious thoughts never entered his mind. He was constantly conceiving and con- coctlng, or else transacting some malicious act to lnjure some one, to steal something, to avenge some wrongs, real or imaginary, all the time. Seldom did he labor for anyone, but the settlement ended in difficulty, and plan how to get even with the person. It is then no wonder as he stood at the threshold of deaths door, one day last week, peering in at the blackness of the future, presuming only on the mercy of God for pardon, and back down the way he had come through the years of wasted past, that he said if the prison doors were opened, and he were to go out to live it over again, that he preferred to die and end the struggle than to live over the same old history, or worse. It is not strange that in his last letter to his children, he urges them F to avoid following his example, and counsels them to lead 8 life more upright and honor able than his. He frankly admits that the happiest hours of his life have been since his imprisonment, when he knew he was free from temptation, and the opportunity of dealing out vengeance according to his own notions and circumstances. From this it can be safe ly conjectured what kind of man was John Ten Eyck, and when suspicion pointed her finger at him, there was a motive for the mur- der, revenge and the money he supposed the Stillmans had the opportunity, they lived alone, and were old and feeble; the hope of
 
 of it all the villianous bloodthirsty disposition of the man who confesses that his life was blank one, and delighted in crime from nat ural inclination.
 HIS PRISON LIFE.
 Since he has been in prison this time he has devoted his time either in framing absurd sto- ries in his defense, reading, writing or inter- viewing reporters. His stories were conflict ing, and yet he could put tear in his eye and look the very picture of injured innocence. Very soon after his imprisonment he attempt ed to conceal knife given him to eat with, since which time he has been allowed nothing whereby he might take his own life. He has had an hours exercise almost daily, eaten his full allowance and slept as soundly as child. His conduct has been good, because pending trial he was on good behaviour, and has never been guilty of anything to even call for rep rimand. His untruthfulness is proverbial, and only day or two before his death told several { falsehoods. It seemed to be his nature. HOW HE SPENT THURSDAY.
 All day long the crowds came to the jail, to view the gallows, and if possible get a glimpse of Ten Eyck. Many of tEem were ladies the people came in carriages and on foot, but the greater portion were \ doomed to disappointment, as no visitors had been allowed since Monday. Inside the jail, in the guard room, stood the gal lows, which the culprit saw for the first and last time, this morning. It hac just \ been tested as our reporter entered, 8 sand bag, ten pounds heavier than his weight, being used. and it stood the test perfectly, | He ate his meals with regularity; some kind hearted lady had sent in some delica- cies for him but the night before he was restless. The guard was in the hall, the same silence pervaded the place. He laugh ed and joked with his interviewers and seemed to delight in the notoriety and anxiety which his statement, or confession, had made for him. The day before had been his happiest day. All the forenoon the interviewers came, and his faithful minister had conversation with him. ''I have only about AS hours of life, and ] wish it was oyer now. Pm tired of this suspense. i presume I'll be forgotten soon, but hope before you die you'll know tha, I have been murdered, and the guilty man
 will confess it, know. l ain't afraid to
 die, for am going to better world than this."
 In the afternoon he was shaved, and
 washed himself thoroughly, and said he felt better for it. At o'clock Messrs. Joyner and Bowerman called on him, and he was taken to the south corridor, and in charge of an officer the interview was held.
 He was not allowed to see theIl alone. the sstateraent he has made, aud the carry Ing out of other matters in an irregular way (because all letters are to go through the keepers hands), and he was not allow ed to see them alone. What passed between
 himself and counsel is private; but the confession which it was thought he would make didn't come, and there was some dis. appointment. As late as II o'clock the city reporters saw bim, and we opine that if there was one tb1ng he longed 10 be free from it was the interview. To all corners
 he went through the same story; his inno-
 cence, the wrongs the papers had done him, the confidence he had in pardon, and
 his readiness to die. The sharpest inter
 viewer got the same respcnse-as did the
 country scribe. "Well." he said, as the
 last one left him, Il can afford to lose @
 little sleep tonight; I'll have time enough
 for rest Tn few hours "
 L After his counsel left his father-in-law,
 who had come from Blandford for his
 body. called and spent few minutes with
 him. He inquired teDdelly for his child