The Sun. — 1850-08-07 (London, England)

EXECUTION OF PEARSON FOR THE MURDER OF HIS WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN.  BOSTON, JULY 2S.—About one hundred persons witnessed the execution of Pearson, this morning. A large crowd was collected about the gaol, some of whom clambered on the roof of the adjoining house, and disturbed the last funeral exercises by their demoniacal shouts.  Two well-dressed young ladies, before the prisoner left his cell, entered the gaol yard, ascended the gallows, and inspected, with looks of curiosity, the implements of execution. Several other females were admitted to the gaol yard, to witness the execution. While upon the scaffold, Pearson read his Bible with great apparent devotion, and when the cap was drawn over his face he appeared to be engaged in prayer. ile ascended the steps of the gallows with firmness, and as he walked upon the drop, gave a last look at the sun and the scene around him.  He was hung at half-past ten o'clock, and made a full confession of his guilt. He died almost without a struggle. The following is the speech made by Pearson on the gallows : " I should like to say a few words. Be prepared to to die, my friends—seek salvation. This is the happiest death of any, if only prepared to die. I hope and trust in God, and that I am going to be with him in Heaven. I recommend you all to the Holy Word of God, and pray that we may all meet in heaven." The following is his own confession :  "I wish to unburden my soul, and free my conscience of whatever I ought, with all my heart, and under the eye of my Maker, who will judge me soon. I declare as follows:—Truly, of the death of my wife, Martha B. Pearson, and of my two twin children, Sarah and Lydia. I confess that I myself alone took their lives on the morning of the 11th April, 1849, between the hours of two and four o'clock. This is the time, as nearly as I can recollect, and these are the principal circumstances :—On the 10th April, I drank ale to excess ; r went to my brother Henry's, in Brookfield-street, took an umbrella, kissed my daughter Melissa, told her I was going to Providence,and then parted. I went down Tremont-street and Temple-place toil club-house, and got a pack of cards; then I struck over to Providence depot and left them. I went to Boyleston-street and obtained a shoe• and knife at a shoemaker's, then obtained a vial of laudanum at an apothecary's; then I went to Merrymanstreet and got a bottle of gin. I then went to the Lowell depot, and left in the cars for Wilmington, I think about six o'clock. When arriving at Wilmington, I asked when the cars left for Boston in the morning. Some one answered, 'and handed me a Pathfinder. I then left for my house, where my wife and two children were living. I went over through the wools, and, stupified with liquor, got lost. It was a kind Providence to hold me back, not knowing where I was. When I got through I looked round for some time, and saw my barn. I saw a light in my house. I tapped on the window. 'Martha came and said, Who's there? ' Daniel,' I answered. She came to the door and let me in. I sat down, and she got me a cup of tea, and I took supper. Shortly after she retired; I sat up a little while by the stove, and then went to bed with my wife. I got up, went out, and returned again to bed between two and four o'clock. I did the fatal deed afOr the first thrust, which I think did not wound her. Martha got the knife away from me, I know not how, and held it by the handle. It was hard to get it again, and in the dark I seized the blade in my bands, and, in wrenching it, split the handle and got the blade away from her. If the handle bad not been broken the deed might not have been accomplished. In doing the deed I cut my hands badly. I then overcame her, and in the struggle she cried out, Oh, Daniel, Daniel, don't murder me—murder! murder!' I pierced her in the neck; she then got on the floor from the bed; she then cried, Oh my God!' fell on the floor, and died. Ido not know how the pillow came under her. Sarah slept on the bed with my wife; she awoke and cried; I pierced her in the neck, and she died. Lydia awoke and crawled on the bed, saying something and laughing, I think. I put my hand en her head, and pierced her in the neck. After this lamentable deed wait finished, I said. ' How could I have done it.' Now, I acknowledge. as I have often and repeatedly, that Martha gave me no cause, neither in any manner or at any time to do this deed. I was not jealous of my wife; all her children, without doubt, were mine. She was a good woman, and deserved well of rue. I cannot tell why I did the deed, except that I was led away. Before leaving the house I kindled a light to dress by. I left my wife on. the floor, having put the knife in her hands—the children on the bed, the laudanum by her on the table, with the cards and notes, one of which I signed, intending to make the impression that Martha, after destroying the children, had committed suicide. When going out the back door I crossed the woods to a brook, and there washed my person of my wife's and children's blood. I then changed my shirt, which was torn in the struggle, and bloody. The blood on my clean shirt sleeve was my own blood. After wiping myself with the shirt which I took off, I rolled it up, carried it to Boston, and sunk it in the water just below the Providence depot." His body was taken to his native place, Wilmington, the scene of the murder, for burial. He lost all hope of a reprieve after he heard the result in the case of Professor Webster.—New York Herald.