Year: 1860

fill hight,of the wall, with cross piece at the
top. A fight Of steps led to platform erected
about midway of the scaffold. A few inches
below this platform was placed the fatal drop
be having expressed preference for that mode
Of DEATH the usual custom being to raise the
body suddenly by heavy weights. Supporting
this drop was swinging arm so arranged that
the dropping of a fourteen pound weight jerked
the arm away, allowing the drop to fall aside,
thus leaving the body suspended in the air.
The scaffold was erected at Hardln's special re-
quest, and its operation fully tested by him
previous to his execution.


HARDIN IN his CELL.


It was only within the past two or three days
that he realized the enormity Of his crime and
appreciated his true position more fully. Then
he admitted the impartiality OF his trial and
the fairness Of the Judge and Jury. and said
that he felt that his sentence was Just one
He thought he was prepared to die, and that
he could walk with frmness to the scaffold, but
could not be positive. He admitted also hav-
ing seduced several young girls and having had
! Illicit intercourse with married women with
whom he became acquainted during his minis
toral career. He stated that he had repented
OF his sins, and had full faith in forgiveness of
God. Hardin talked freely, clearly and plau
sibly, and it was by means Of his good CONVEX
sational powers that he was able to prosecute
his vlianes so successfully. The impression
left upon person who conversed with him was
that he was most plausible vilian-one who
had been so long living lie to all the world
that he was now unable to believe himself
that he was laboring hard to convince himself
that he was penitent and striving to do what
was right, but that, knowing himself so we'll,
he was doubtful of his own thoughts as well as
words In short, he seemed like man whose
life long object had been to deceive others, and
that object had been so successfully accomplish
ed that he was now afraid of himself-it was
the immortal Jacob s. Hardin striving TO be-
lieve and place confidence in the Jacob s. Har-
din of flesh and blood.


HIS CONFESSION.


Hardin made confession, which will make
about one hundred pages The manuscript is
subject to the will Of Hardin's father 1t is
supposed it will never be published, as Its pub
licaton would ruin the character OF many who
are now believed to bes beyond suspicion. He
admits having seduced several girls under prom
iSe Of marriage, among them his wife; and also
states that he had had illicit intercourse with
married women. How many victims of lust
there are it is impossible to tell but the number
must be very large. Thus the public will see
how necessary it was that no confession, con-
tanning all these particulars, should be publish
ed. Hardin also tells how he murdered his
wife. When he married her it was his deter.
mnation not to live with her any longer than
could be avoided. He hoped that his i'll
treatment might drive her to the home
Of her parents, but the worse he treated her
The poison was then administered in various
ways; IN tea, IN cake and apples, but always in
such small quantities, that death was quite
slow, though nevertheless sure.


II THE PRISONER IAST


During the whole Of Thursday, Hardin main
tanned a bold and undaunted front. He ate
heartily, and said that he felt better prepared
than ever before, to meet the fate which he so
we'll deserved. When night came on, the Rev,
Mr.. Kirk, Of the Presbyterian Church, and the
Rev. Mr.. Day. of the Methodist Church. went
to his cell to pray and watch him, He greeted
them pleasantly, and bidding them be seated,
INDUCED for some ordinary conversation. the
ministers then joined in prayer, and were fol-.
lowed by the culprit, who earnestly appealed
to Heaven to pardon his sins, and admit him
to the sacred precincts Of Heaven. At day
break he was left alone, and after indulging in
few hours sleep ate hearty breakfast At
no time was there tremor, or an expression of
regret for his untimelv end.


| THE EXECUTION.


| At twenty minutes past twelve, Sheriff Swee-
ny entered the culprit's cell, and babe him
make the necessary preparations for the execu.
tion. Hardin Immediately replied that he was
ready, and began to arrange his clothing. He
wore a pinked shirt, buff aud white cravst,
blue coat, velvet vesL black pantaloons and pa
tent leather CATERS. His face was cleanly sha-
ven, and his hair neatly arranged. After he
had finished his toilet, he allowed the Sheriff
to pinion his arms, giving directions when he
supposed them necessary, and acting through
out with great coolness and delberation.


Mr.. Hardin walked with firm step to the
scaffold, and assembled it without any assistance
and with no exhibition Of fear. He looked
around upon the audience but for moment, and
his eyes shone like two stars but without ad :
dressing the crowd, he knelt down and prayed
| as follows: a..


Oh, Lord Jesus, pray Thee to look down
upon me. a miserable sinner, and pardon my
many transgressions | have sinned against
Heaven and earth, but feel that the redeeming
blood Of Christ is sufficient to wash all my sins
away. OJesus, have mercy on me, pardon me,
admit me to thy presence, for Christ's sake.
Amen.


| This prayer was uttered in low tremulous
voice, and few heard it, When the prisoner
rose from his knees large tears trickled down
bis cheek, and his struggle, it was quite eviden,
had commenced


he then bade farewell to those around him
thanked the Sheriff Tor his kindness, and took
his position on the fatal drop. The Sheriff put
q white handkerchief into the prisoners hand
instructing him to throw it on the ground when