Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-11-19
NOT TO HANG.
LEFT OFF WITH EIGHTEEN YEARS
IMPRISONMENT.

1t is very probable, dependent upon
the prisoners acceptancy OF the Exec.
utive clemency, that United States
Marshal Kerns will be spared the task
Of executing Isaac jacobson, the ring.
leader of the "watch" who killed the
mate of the Sea King, and who was
condemned to be hanged on January
Both, 1880. The other prisoners were
arraigned for manslaugbter, and were
sentenced to the Albany Penitentiary
after jacobson was condemned. The
President Judge, the District Judge
and District Attorney Valentine inter.
ested themselves at once to secure the
Communication of Jacobsons sentence to
imprisonment at hard labor for life, OF
not less than eighteen years, and
united in petition TO that effect
President Hayes, with no less prompt.
itude, granted their request, and yes
terday United States District Attorney
Valentine received large document
bearing the signatures of President
Hayes and Secretary Evarts and the
broad seal Of the Republic with its big
eagle, resembling that on the diverse
side ofthe new Bland dollars. The docu
ment recites that the sentence is com.
mutod to eighteen years Imprisonment
with hard labor in the Eastern Pcni
tentiary, on condition of serving that
time. Jacobson will bo brought into
Court to-day to ascertain his willing.
ness TO accept clemency upon this stip.
ulation. at would bea curious note
if he should refuse" Mr.. Valentine
said, as he folded up tho parchment
eighteen years make long time in
prison" The Court records show only
one case of capital punishment in th,
jurisdiction OF the United States Court
tor this district in fifty years pasta
case which dwells in the memory OF
those fond of recounting old time
events, when the city was mere trihC
compared with its dimensions. The
prisoner was James Moran, and the
event was in 1897, the charges being
murder and piracy Moran and q
Spanish sailor slew the Captain, Thos
s. Smith, and took possession OF the
schooner William Writ. The mate and
the rest Of the crew managed to over
power the mutincers, killing the Span.
lard in the encounter. Moran was
tried and convicted before Judges
Baldwin and Hopkinson, and when he
was hanged old residents can remem
Der the gala day, with all the features
Of country fair, which surrounded
the Bush Hill gallows, in the open air
when the mutineer was swung of. In
those days executions were held in
public in the mistaken delusion that
they would have moral effect. The
scenes on this occasion and when Por.
ter, tho mail robber, was hanged, dis
proved this Illusion. Another inter.
esting case, from which, however, Jack
Kctcb was cheated of his victim, was
in l8f2. The American emigrant ship,
William Brown, had foundered of
Newfoundland by striking an iceburg
Over thirty passengers perishcd by the
sinking Of the vessel The prisoner on
this occasion, William Holmes, II was
alleged at the trial, threw overheard
fourteen Of the passengers In order Ia
save the remainder, there not being
food and water enough for oil hands
II was shown in his favor that Holmes
behaved with galantry during tho
wreck. Ho was ably dcIondcd, and
though convicted was recommended
to mercy so strongly that his sentence
was reduced 10 six months imprison
ment.- Philadelphia Times.