The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-16
EXECUTION OF JOHN w. BEAVERS.
[Bx TELEGRAPH TO THE HKRALD.l

MADISON, Ind. Feb Is, 1878.
Tho Anai judgment in tho Beavers ron.
dered by tho Supreme Court yesterday; he received
tho news of his doom with oomposure. but broke
completely down. A minister and tho choir Of Trim
ty Church conducted devotional exercises his cell
during the amid the songs and prayers
mingled the strokes OF workmen's hammers
putting up the scafod for his execution. He met his
sisters and two little children last night and took
final oavo Of them this forenoon. swarm Of people
poured the city surrounded the court yard.
A guard of militia kept all save those having
tickets Of admiss
At fifteen minutes to twelve O'Clock the doomed
led TO the scafod. His lips moved 10
prayer but he had nothing to to the concourse Of
spectators. Devotional exercises were conducted
the scaGold, alter which the adjusted, ard
n the town clock struck twelve tho trap door fell
The condemned pronounced dead at thirteen min
utes past twelve O'Clock. The body lowered and
taken In charge by the undertaken.
BEAvERs' CONFESSION.
Tho Courier OF this evcning contains foil comics
sion OF j. w. Beavers Of the murder Of J. W. sewell
on the night of November 3, 1877 as made to an old
army comrade some weeks ago under the bond OF
secrecy until after execution, OF which the follow
ing Is synopsis-l conceived The idea Of numbering
him about year ago, and visited b1m for that pur-
pose under the presenco Of wanting to buy farm In
county. Under prctence OF going to examine
the land went TO relatives In Scott
mo al North Vernon He did so, and, taking buggy,
went TO Versailles, where the deed was made out
In order to get nm oil told him my money was at
my brother in-law's, in Scott county
A FORMIDABLE
had intended to kill him the road back to North
Vernon, and for that purpose had carried pieco or
iron fourteen inches long, with big nut on end,
mp coat sleeve. put no opportunity offered mkt
planned Kill him at North Vernon
the cars first, and knocking him OF the steps he
pied 10 get after securing his grpsack that
know contained The deed; but he food tho plan by
N porLEp BY ACCIDENT.
I then remembered OF belt oil woods tho road
10 my in-law's, and concluded to murder him
tnere drag his body into the woods. and
drew the iron back 70 strike, but. fearing that
would mako misick in tho dark, de-
aws an the mUrnns told sswe NY wns
In Lexington aud induced him to 30 there. There
told him my partner was away on business. but he
had left money another brother-in-laws Hol-
man. Sewcll readily consented to 20 there. then
intended 70 murder him on the road in an old
house That knew Of IN the vicinity aud while was
looking after tho house to SEQ II was still vacant
neignbor along, and, recognizing me by Seweli
sailing mo by naine was foiled again
MURDER IN A CHURCH
Tho idea OF taking the old man to the church, in
vhich murdered MIN, here presented ITSELF and
sailing to the old man 10 come on, that u was
mucn farther, ! led the way TO the church Knowing
that there was u discussion among the members Of
church. under the impression that the people would
attribute it's burning 10 TINS discussion. Arriving ut
the church the old man sat down the
door sill and said he could 60 further.
then went 10 the side window, removed o pano OF
glass; the window and entered, calling to sewell
TO come aud get In and would build a lire and
would stay there TIL morning. He worn out, and
At once consented, and placing his ovcrcoat on a
bench was sound asleep / had lett the iron
outside OF the church, and In looking round for
something to kill him with discovered a stick Of wood
about three feet long and Ms thick my
KILLED WHILE ASLEEP.
As the old man lay on The bench struck him the
fatal blow and fell tho floor his head striking
rock under tho Log OF tho stove; bui, 10 mako my
work sure, struck him six or eight moro blows.
THE CRIME.
Then took HIM by the logs and dragged him
straight In the aise, and breaking up two small
be nchcs and laying his ovorcoat That saturated
with blood on the pile, Ire TO H. taking his money,
something over 500, his gripsack, containing tue
decd and what papers be had In his pockets.
/ loft him IN tho flames, intending to
where lay down and went 10 sleep, but, waking up
almost frozen, concluded 10 10 TO my brotner-in-
laws 10 got warm. took The grIpsack and hid 1t,
whePe II uicrwsrd found. Taking the dead
mans watch, pocketbook ana loose papers with
next mosping started up TO the church, and the
way hid the watch and papers under fence add
vent inse tnc church and mingled with the crowd,
where was arrested.
osLY HInsELB 70 BLAME
Every wstaa6s NE testified 70 the truth save