Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-11-22

The Drop Falls at La p. m.-The
Story of Hi. Crime.

OAKLAND, MD, Nov. l6.-John Smith
was hanged at Ia p. m.
He made confession during the morn
ing to the Rev. Benz amin Isar, his religi
Gus adviser, and said he killed Harding
but only did It because he was under the
Influence of liquor.
He ate 9 hearty breakfast and ate his
dinner about IL O'Clock with great relish.
He was led into the jail yard smooking
cigar, which he threw away at sign
from che sheriff as he mounted the scaf.
fold.
After Mr.. Isar had read the 51st Psalm
and offered prayer, Smith made short
speech, contessing the crime and saying
he was not sorry to go. At the close of
his remarks he hurst into tears.
His neck was broken and death was
painless. The execution was private,
within a small enclosure adjoining IL 9
jail.
[John Smith, the negro murderer of
Josiah Harden, lived In hut near
Elkins, a small village in Garrett county,
NJ | about Is miles southeast of Oak
lsud. He was dissoluts aud vicious
character. 0n the 18th of May last he
WAS in Elkins and drinking freely.
About o'clock in this afternoon he
remarked to parties, with whom he had
been drinking, that he was going to leave
the Deighborhood, but before doing so
would do something to make him remem-
bered. He then left and went directly to
Harden's house, about 4 miles distant,
and reached IL shortly before o'clock.
He remained until nearly s O'Clock, in
thu meantime inqniriug If Mr.. Hsfden's
grown son, or son-in.lsw, would be at
home that night. Receiving negative
reply, he remarked that he had an
instrument in his pocket that would
make nice music, but he could not have as
much fun as he expected because they were
twsy. ....
He then lett but returned In half
hour, and the frat notice the family had
OF his presence was a pistol shot fired
through ths window quickly followed by
another. Harden hurried his family up
stairs and went to the door There
Smith grappled with Harden who made
an effert to defend his family. little
laughter of Harden saw Smith hold on
tn her father and fire pistol at his head
Harden broke from his murderer and
stepped outside the door where he fell
dead.
Smith then wsnt.up stairs, seized Mrs
Harden sud dragged her down stairs and
into the woods, where he outraged her,
usr son, small by, went to the rescue
If his mother, but Smith drew pistol
ard threatened to shoot him. After he
hal murdered the father and OUTRAGED
the mother, Smith went to his hut
on the mountain side, but the alarm
vas sounded and he was pursued
Finding his pursuers close upon him he
escaped up the chimney aud over the
mountain. Four days later he was eeen
In Winchester, Va aud arrested.
After he was taken to the Oakland
jai. he erdeavored TO induce man
nsmed Jefferson TO procure witnesses who
would swear 10 an alibi for him, but cid
not succeed. On tine 18th of September
las. he was put on trial and ou the 2lst
he was couvictei of murder In the first
degree and sentenced to be hanged.
At,er the jury had rendered their yer
dict the murderer remarked swell, the
circus is over, now we'll have aoonosrt." 3"
After his conviction he procured a knife
with which he said he intended to kill
the jsilor.
Ou tue ttu ul ojluDert uit', Wnlit tue
sheriff was awaiting tie warrant Of the
governor for the execution OF the muir
dsrer, Smith called the jailo. into his
ceil and, as soon as he entered knocked
him s,nssless to the floor Smith then,
with y hstehet he had by Pome means
secured, broke the chain which held him
to the door, locked the jailor in his cell
ana walled out with tue leg shscklss
still upon him, S5arch was coon made
for him. but the darkness coming on he
easily secretei himself among the hills
surrounding Oakland. in the conflict
with the jailcr he had received
an injury in the abdomen which fright
ened him. Being thus wounded, very
thinly clad aud fearful tina, he would dis
of cold in the mountains, hs returned to
Oakland and vent to the jail. He iound
the building closed and sought shelter in
shed near by where he remained until
the following morning and then sur
rendered to the jailor.
Smith has throughout exhibited per-
feet indifference to his fate. He wa, the
most desperate and hardened criminal
ever knewn in This section Of country,