Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-04-11
EXECUTION MOHAWK.

While making inquiry for a certain
article we believed published in the
Butler papers about the time the In
dian Sam Mohawk was hung we had
occasion to state the time we believed
the said hanging took place. This
gave rise to very different opinions
among some of our older citizens, as to
Just when that time was, some main
tanning that it was as late as May or
June in 1874, and that the weather
was warm, ETC., while others as stout
ly thought it was earlier in that year.
Our own recollection from the first
was that it was about the first of
April, and that the day was damp or
rather cool one.
On reading our issue of last week
Mr.. Aaron B. Hughes of this place was
enabled to remember of and find q copy
of the issue of the Herald of this place,
of April 10, 1874, containing "Mo-
hawks Confession" This was the
very paper we were in search OF, and
we are much indebted to Mr.. Hughes
for the same. But it is so much torn,
and some parts gone, that we fear 1T
will not answer our purpose fully.
We hope, as the date has now been as
certained, that other friends will con-
tinue their efforts in the matter, and
that we may soon receive, from some
one. p paper of that date, April 10,
1874, which may be better preserved
than the one found by Mr.. Hughes.
But this paper. while establishing
that the said erecutton was previous
to April 10, 1874. yet it in no place
gives the date of the same. To ascer,
tain this we wrote to Mr. Donly at
Harrisburg, knowing it would be re-
corded there when the death warrant
of the Governor was issned, fixing the
date for the execution. Mr.. ponly
has sent US the following copy of the
same, by which it will be seen that
Mohawk was hung on March %,
1874.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, S., DAVID r..
PORTER, GOVERNOR.
In the name and by The authority Of
the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania,
Dauid r. Porter, Governor Of the
said Commonwealth, to James G.
Camp bell, Sheriff Of the County
of Butler, Esquire, Sends Greet
ing.
WHEREAS at Court of Oyer and
Terminer and general jail delivery,
held in and for the County Of Butler,
on the 18th day of December, lS43, u
certain Samuel Mohawk was tried and
convicted of the crime of murder in
the first degree, and on the 18th day Of
January, 1874, (after motion for a
new trial had been argued and over
ruled) the Court sentenced the said
Samuel Mohawk to be taken hence to
the prison of Butler County, from
whence he came, and thence to the
place of execution, and that he be there
hanged by the neck until he be dead.
Now, therefore, this is to authorize and
require you, the said James G. Camp
bell, Sheriff of the said County of But
ler, to cause the said sentence of the
said Court to be executed upon the
said Samuel Mohawk, between the
hours of 10 o'clock in the forenoon and
2 O'Clock in the afternoon, of Friday
the 22d day of March next ensuing the
date hereof, in the manner directed by
the act of the General Assembly Of
this Commonwealth passed the tenth
day of April, A. ID. 1884, entitled an
act to abolish public executions; and
for so doing this shall be your sufficient
warrant Given under my hand and
the great seal of the State, at Harris
burg, the first day of February, one
thousand eight hundred and forty four
QS44), and of the Commonwealth the
sixty eighth. By THE GOVERNOR.
CHAs. MCCLURE, Secretary Of the
Commonwealth