The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-20
THE FATAL DROP.
Hanging of Sam'l kieenburEh Mt Fonda
New YOrk-A Fiendish areer.


FONDA, N. Y, April 19.-Samuel Steenburgh
colored, known as Niger Sam, suffered the
extreme penalty Of the law to-day In the jail
yard, for the murder OF Jacob 3. Parker
committed at Amsterdam November II, 1877.
Sam arose about 9 o'clock this morning,
having had but little rest. Rev Father
Lowry, his spiritual adviser, passed the
night with him. During the night Sam at
tempted suicide by biting the artery in his
wrist, but was prevented from accomplishing
his purpose by the attendants.
1t had been reported that an attempt would
be made to tear down the wall inclosng the
jail, SO that an unobstructed view of the exc
cution might be had by the crowd. and the
sheriff called out military force OF 1900 men
to guard against q disturbance
Tickets to about 1870, including about fifty
for ladies, were issued, giving admittance to
the Jail yard, where the execution took place.
An immense crowd gathered outside, occupy
ing housetops and other points Of observation.
| and the like, were frequent.
| At II 80 the procession from the jail was
formed, led by Rev. Father Lowry and the
sheriff. Sam came close behind, between
Sam asked: "Can see my little girl?" He
kissed the cross while his feet and hands
were being pinioned. He looked troubled, al
rant was read, and Sam, when ask d if he
those young people that sung them nice
hymns? l do like to hear them" This being
refused, he said in a low voice: THAT confess
sion-I said it from my heart.
| At IL SO the moose was adjusted, and Sam
worse worse men a hung s thas me- lie requested the
moose to be drawn up higher, the crowd boot,
ing outside meanwhile. After that he moved
ing close beside him, and praying constantly.
Just before the adjustment Of the black cap
he recognized his counsel In the crowd, and
cried out: "Halloe, Mr.. FISH" He kept up
a running FIRE OF questions as the cap closed
down, wanting to know how long the law al
lowed yet, etc.
His last words were: Hurry up; God for
give my sins. for Jesus sake"
just at o'clock he was swung into the
air. He swung forward and upward swiftly,
and fell with thud He raised his limbs
six or seven times within the first two min
utps, and ten minutes thereafter he WAS dead.
His neck was broken.
The crime for which he was hanged was
committed at Amsterdam, n. Y.
Jacob s. Parker, his victim had, on the day
Of his murder, drawn considerable money
from one OF the banks. During the afternoon
| he drank considerably, and fell in with Niger
Sam, being last seen alive in his company
about midnight, staggering down the rail,
road track, both drunk Next day the body
of Parker was found in the woods near by
and Sam being flush OF money, was arrested
on suspicion. He was lodged In jail, tried aud
convicted and sentenced to be hanged April 10
cence, but he then made the startling con
fession, to which he alluded on the scaffold
to Sheriff Fonda and ex- County Clerk Burch
in which he stated that he was not only
guilty of the mdrder of Parker, but that he
had also been the author of ten other muir
ders, numerous thefts and incendiary fires.
His career OF crime began at the early age
of fourteen years, when he killed boy with
whom he had a quarrel. He killed the cap
tain of his regiment-the Twentieth Colored
and also committed other murders. During
the war he killed man in New Orleans fol
the purpose Of stealing barrel OF beef. HI
was an accomplish six years ago to the muir
sterdam, the manner OF whose death has
until now remained mystery.
| Sam said he had committed several muir
ders Of which he could not give the particu
lars. His memory Of dates was quite faulty
but considerable portions Of his story are cor
to have been in nearly every case the motive
for the many murders committed by Sam
AS an evidence of this trait he made his con
fession for money consideration, and he sOlt
his body to the doctors for q small sum. Hi
object in getting money at this time was II
seemed very fond. His love for the chic
seemed to be about the only redeeming trai
of his character.
Direct Importation to Interior Ports.
CHICAGO, April 19-Wm. II. Smith, Col
lector of the port of Chicago has sent to al
the collectors of ports in the West copies OF {
proposed new law, with q petition for sigma
law to permit the direct importation Of for
eign merchandise OF all classes at interio
ports, without stOppage at New York or Othe