Year: 1870




The Execution of John Deal Mt Reading To-
day-scenes and Incidents - The Prisoners
Hopes of n Reprteve.


Special Despatch 10 The Euerirg Telegraph


READING, Pa, May 13.-The appearance of
articles yesterday afternoon in the Reading
journals with reference to the execution of John
Deal which takes place to-day, had the effect
of producing some excitement in this usually
quiet city, which was perceptible towards the
latter part of the day by the collection of large
crowd of men and women around the prison. It
had been announced that


The Instrument of Death


had arrived from Philadelphia and would be
placed in position during the afternoon. 1t
had been whispered about that there would be
chance of seeing the gallows and it was in con-
sequence of this rumor that the collection of
people had assembled. Knowing that it would
be impossible for them to be witnesses to the
hanging, they signifed that they would be con-
tent if allowed to view the scaffold. The Sheriff
finally yielded to their opportunities and
directed that the rear gate be thrown open. This
was accordingly done, and in the space of an
hour or so some six hundred obtained access to
the inclosure. 1t was novel sight to them, as
nine-tenths had never seen such an instrument
Reading in the present century having had but
three executions, two of which had occurred
prior to 1910. The one previous to that of to-
day took place in 1S42, and the name of the
doomed man on that occasion was Rhinehart.
The gates we're closed before 6 clock, by which
time those prompted by morbid curiosity had
withdrawn. The rope, which had been manu-
factured in Philadelphia, was then tested, and it
was found amply sufficient to sustain six men Of
Deals weight.


How the Prisoner Spent Yesterday


The prisoner spent the better portion of the day
in reading In theE morning the sacrament was par
taken of by him, the Rev. George Borneman, who
has charge Of the German Catholic Church here,
officiating In the afternoon this divine again called
on him, and spent couple of hours in devotional
exercises During the afternoon several newspaper
correspondents visited his CELL with whom he chat
ted freely. 1t was almost impossible to get him into
conversation about the murder, and when he did
aude to it, it was only to corroborate the statement
that he had made when sentence OF death
was pronounced upon him, viz THAT he
committed the deed in self-defense. But
as he has already prevaricated upon this point to
both his counsel and hi spiritual advisers this YER
sion of the affair is not believed On one occasion
he admitted having murdered Harlan in self
defense, and on another he said that he was SO
much intoxicated at the time that he not aware
Of having been guilty Of such oense until in his
moments Of sobriety, when he discovered the hood
the hatchet and his clothing. He, during the in
terview, manifested the utmost indifference as to
his fate, and on being questioned to whether he
really comprehended his fearful position, he replied
in the Affirmative but with degree OF carelessness
that induced those present to think that he was mis-
taken. He expressed great anxiety on their depar-
ture to know whether the gentlemen intended to
be present to-day


To "Witness the Jig.o
/ He then expressed desire for something to eat
and the edibes being set before him he ate heartily
Since his incarceration his appetite has never failed
him in a single instance and it is to the credit OF
the warden. Daniel Francis, who has only held the
position since the 5th OF April that he has fed Deal
| at his own expense The prisoner spent his last
night on earth until midnight, in reading, when he
slgnined his intention OF sleeping. The keeper who
has been constantly with him for several days past
withdrew and Deal shortly thereafter went to Sleep
but did not seem to enjoy that quiet repose natural
to one who has no trouble upon his mind. He mani
| tested considerable uneasiness, and would fre-
quently give expression to jargon devoid of
meaning


He Hns Hopes of n ReprIeye
The prisoner has never expressed any desire for a
reprieve but in his rambling conversations yester-


day it became apparent that he had hopes that such
| a document would be forthcoming. On making in
quiry outside OF the jail your correspondent learned
| that through the influence OF his brother several
gentleman had left for Harrisburg in order to have
! a repreve granted. No one has dreamed that the
Governor, in view OF the admission OF Deal that he
had killed Harlan, and OF the fact that the latter by



having made any such demonstrations as described
by his murderer, would acquiesce in the demand at
this late day. No acquaintance OF his has ever
| appeared to refute the strong evidence produced
| by the Commonwealth, but on the contrary the
record OF the Eastern Penitentiary and his conduct
since his incarceration show him TO be just such
| one as would take the life OF his fellow man. The
result OF the interview Of these gentlemen has not
vet transpired but IL is certain that the Governor
| mas refused TO interfere in the matter.
| He Accounts for the Change I'm his Name,
1t has come to the knowledge OF the authorities
| that the name OF John Deal was one assumed by
him since the committal OF the crime which he has
expated on the gallows to-day; in fact he has ad-
1 mitted it himself. He had always prior to that
| event been known as Zachariah X. Snyder, and
under that name he was sent twics to the Eastern
! Penitentiary and enlisted in the army He yester-
day admitted that he had adopted the name OF Deal
| In order that his family might not recognize one
OF their number murderer. But he still insist ed
that had his parents taken the proper care OF him In
his early life, he would never have occupied prison
CELL let alone pass from this world by the hands of
| an executioner.


| What He Leaves Behind Him.
He leaves behind him a statement which covers
several sheets OF fooscap, In which no allusion Is
made to the murder 1t is OF no earthly Importance
but its production has helped him TO pass many
hours Of late. There Is no oOherency in it, and OF so
Little AteIest Is Il lLSt the clergy ana his counsel