Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-23
EXECUTION IN PENNSYLvANuA.
Joseph Sarver Hanged Tor Murdering
EeIs Father.

INDIANA, PA, September 23-To-day at iIfu
O'Clock Joseph Saryer WAS hanged on the same
scaflod on which James q. Allison was executed
In February, 1882. Not more than thirty persons
witnessed the execution The prisoner slept
soundly from 1880 O'Clock last night untfl $50
O'Clock this morning. lie partook oI a light break
fast and nom O'Clock until the hour OF xecution
was engaged with his spiritual adviser Father
Brown OF the Catholic church AT l0;5s the pro-
cesSion marched from the cell 10 the Jail yard,
where the scafrod had stood since the DAY previous
The lev. Mr. Brown, carrying a cruciiiN and mur-
muring audible prayers, led the way, followed by
the sheriff and prisoner, whose arms were
pnioned He mounted the scaffold firmly. To the
Inquiry of the sheriff. whether he had anything to
say or not, he responded. "Jesus crucifled. have
mercy on my SOUL The moose was then adjusted,
the black cap placed over his head and Tie trap
sprung. His neck WAS broken by the FALL and after
hanging seventeen minutes the body was taken
down, encaSed IN a plain cof1in and placed IL
charge OF the attending priest The streets about
the jail were filled with dense crowd
FRIGHTFUL FAMILY TRAGEDY.
Saryer Was tried and convicted OF the murder OF
his father on November IL 1883 sarver, his father,
and a housekeeper. named Bella Kelly, lived to-
Gether in a tumble down house. twelve miles from
here Sarver grew jealous OF the attention paid 10
the girl by his father. She the subject " fire.
QCeut Quarrcs between them, and the son fire.
quently threatened 10 XIII his father. Their quar-
rels culininatcd Ia one OF more than ordinary bit
ternesS ON the evening OF saturday. November
Sd 1888. at the supper table, Joe drew a revolver,
and alter eNtinguishing the light, FREQ at his
father, Who was sitting opposite The ball did not
take effect, and the old man nd from the house,
pursued by his SON He ran RAPIDLY In the direction
81 "A ntlghOors house, some twenty or thirty rods
distant, and just as he Reached the porch his in
iuTlated son shot him through the head, killing
him instantly. Returning TO the house the young
Saryer nred two shots at the houSekeeper,
one taking effect In her arm and the
other In her left cheek; They were not
OF a fatal character She became un-
conscious and during this time the murderer en-
tered the house and procuring some clothing fed
into the woods Pursuit WAS organized and he
was captured late the next day. A 82-in. caliber
revolver was luund on his person, with all the
chamberS empty. shortly after his Imprisonment
lie confessed 10 fellow prisoner but nevertheless
his counsel, appointed by the court. made strong
defense for him, setting up the plea or Insanity ON
the ground that he had had frequent fits OF epi-
lepsy. Their efforts Were or no avail. The motion
for new trial was denied, and application TO the
state board or pardon for a Communication OF the
sentence 10 Imprisonment Tor life was also
futile, although backed 10y strong letters
from the Judge who tried him. Judge Clark
OF the supreme court and Others. He was married
some years ago. but separated from his family, and
neither his vile nor any Of his three children have
visited him or expressed any feeling al his fate.