The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-05

ON the hooded mead cover, given the
moose tightening tug and the trap
was sprung. The body shot straight
downward and remained motionless,
except for a swinging motion for per-
hapS half minute, when there was
noticed IA violent twitchlng of the hand
cuffed hands and a few Jerks of the
feet. This evidence of violence. how
ever, lasted not longer than twenty or
thirty seconds. when the body again
became motiunleSs, excepting when it
was disturbed at intervals by the jail
physician, Or. w. ID. Donne, ana DIR.
Wehlau, who was present in a purely
professional capacity at the request Of
the sheriff.
Eight minutes after the trap fell the
physicians pronounced Van Horn dead,
though they We're probably satisfied he
had become unconscious when his neck
was broken and that he was lifeess a
few moments later. But they did not
indicate that the body should be low
cred until it had been hanging for near
ly fourteen minutes. The trap was
sprung about 1908 o'clock,
DID NOT WANT TO SEE.
Rev. Mr.. Bulgin stood on the scat
| fold stairs when the trap opened, but
| his back was at that moment pur-
! posely turned upon the scene. The
! minister stood with bowed head
! and with his hands clasped before
| him. He held a Bible and some pap
| ers, one of the latter being statement
| signed by Van Horn yesterday morn
| ing. Faithful in his ministrationS to
| the last second. the clergyman was
| praying during Van Horns drop to rhe
| end of the rope and for few moments
following.
Van Horns statement was dictated
to Mr.. Bulgin and was signed by Van
| Horn with a firm and steady hand Just
before he left his cell to mount the
scaffold. 1t was given by the latter
to the reporters just as soon as the
body was lowered. 1t reads as fol-
| lows
I know / am near the end of this
earthly life, and that it is but a short
time ere ! will pass through the veil
that separates time from eternity 10
stand in the presence of the Sovereign
Judge. Words of truth ought now TO
be spoken. 1t will not do to falsify in
this my last hour on earth.
Naturally there are those who would
| can drop word of warning | VIII
consider it a privilege and duty to
do so.
To everyone / would say: Leave the
wine cup alone. This has been the curse
of my life. To the young / would beg
them to shun evil company. Had
needed the advice of the Book of Books
| would not be here today | would not
have lived life of debauchery If had
been true to my mothers counsel.
IT WAS AN ACCIDENT.
This morning am to suffer the pen
atty for murder. The law has adjudged
me guilty 1t has said | willfully and
with generalization murdered Josephine
WesCott. / confess that Killed tht
| woman, but / still persist in this my
last hour on earth that it was com
mitted by accident, and not through
| maliciousncsS or angry premeditation
Josephine Wescott and | We're friends
that eVentful evening. The incident o.
my arrest had been settled satistactor-
lily. We had been meeting weeks be-
fore that fateful night on the most
friendly terms J make this statement
| to answer to the charge of the prose
cution that the deed was done through
anger and premeditation.
| one word about some OF the witnesses
who testified against me- The prosecu'
, | ton claimed they were leSpecldDle
Since my incarceration four of then
have been arrested for various crimes
l have seen two of them in this jail
and one i'm the police lookup. one tina
/ saw in this Jail was a juryman.
This is all l shall say concerning my
, trial | die with the opinion that i
/. everything had come to the surface tn
Jury would not have convicted me o
| Willful murder
In bidding goodbye Ia all ] take thi
! opportunity Of acknowledging the kind
ly interest taken i'm me by the sheriff
t | warden and officials Of the jail. Also
+, | ! express my gratitude 10 my attorneys
MY spiritual adviser, Rev. II. r. Bul
| gin, has been constant i'm his attentions
, | His talks and prayers have given m
| much consolation.
ask the world to judge me kindly
MY sins have been many ! take m,
soul to God. He knOweth all,
Nav l ask the world To he kind T.
my sainted mother oh, how true an
4 faithful she has been.
. ! I'm entering eternity l forgive all m