Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1894-07-19
PIERCE HANGED.

Goes to BE d, Sic cps SOundly,
and IS Awakened TO Prepare
tor His journey. A Large
crowd Sees Him OF.
When this column is read by the
msnv readers of the PIONEER the body
o, Richard Pierce, the wife murderer,
will be cold In death, and the awful
crime he committed will have been
avenged by the strong srm of the law.
To every respect, Richard Pierce,
4 has been remarkable prisoner while
Hin Jail. He came here from Cape
NAV County on the first Cay Of May
Hast. and has been in the custody of
Sheriff Shipn ever since. He entered
the Jail smoking cigar and smiling.
and left the institution Friday morning
with cigar between his teeth. and
laughing and chatting with all those
'about him.
Since he first entered the jail, he
stoutly denied being guilty Of the
crime charged. To all those to whom
hetalked he declared that he never
struck the foul blow, but that
WAS owing to the fact that his law
yer, Hildreath was making q strong
Hight for q new trial, and later for q
accumulation of the sentence.
When all legal expedients had been
Exhausted, he gave up hope, and to
bis spiritual adviser, Rev. ]. 8.
Thompson he made a full confession,
hdmitting in detail every part Of the
kwiui murder.
About two weeks since Pierce began
10 take an interest in religion, and be-
ran industriously reading the bible,
inging songs, and later going down
pn his knees In prayer. This morning
ust before the negro left on the troll
Icy Pierce told PIONEER reporter
hat ''things we're all squared up and
he was ready to die like a man."
Sheriff Robert E. Hand arrived
here Thursday night on the O'Clock
rolley from MillvllIe. After taking a
lunch at restaurant he went over to
ail and was admitted to Pierce's cell.
When the murderer saw him, he grip
ped him on the shoulder and seemed
ls pleased to see him as If the Sheriff
Fas bringing him the best news. Then
heriff Hand selemnly read the death
Farrant from the Governor, ending
Fith the words, ''and between the
ours of ten and three O'Clock, you
ball come to be hanged by the neck
ntil dead" Pierce smiled while lis
ening to the warrant, and when the
heriff had finished, laughingly said.
well, how do you suppose I could
le hanged until dead If not by the
ecb ?"
A full suit of black clothing was then
Fought In from the store of p. 81.
Goldsmith & Co., and Richard tried
hem on. They fitted him splendidly, /,
nd the unfortunate prisoner laughed
Re q pleased child, apparently not
wing 1t thought that this suit was
ne one that would clothe him for
urial.
After eating hearty supper Pierce
armed to those about him and began
nglng hymns, all the other prisoners
the women's corrider joining in with
M He prayed several times earn
tly and apparently thoughtfully,
nd prayers were also offered by Sam
ei murray and Joseph Whitsett, who
. prisoners In murderers' row. These
rvices continued until after eleven
CLOCK, when Pierce retired to his cot
p the last sleep on earth that he will
yer have, and peacefully slumbered
atii about 5 o'clock Friday morning,
nen ne was awakened by John Nieu-
lrk, his death watch.
And such an awakening It would
ave oeen to most men-an awsken.
y TO meet death by an awful
senoy. A death that would make
ost men quail and cringe; but not
win Pierce. He awakened appar.
a'ly without thought Of his impend-
y ignominious death, He prepared
pnself with a care and cheerfulness
'at one would who was about to 20
9 days picnic. He put on his
anosome new clothing with great
Iiae, and seemed to enjoy the fact
lse s ne was about to take the trip.
onerin Shinn prepared a dainty
eakfasf, which was handed into
~, out after he had left the jaiI, the
a'uen discovered that Pierce had not
ten anything.
u tne meantime, Rev. J. 8. Thomp-
: arrived at the jail He had In his
'seSsion a lengthy confession from
I''ce, a copy of which he gave to
1er Hand. Toe fficial read 1t with
Ieas interest, and said to a reporter.