The New York Herald Newspaper, May 31, 1868, Page 5

THE GALLOWS. + -» Execution of Joseph Brown, at Hudson, Yesterday. The Murder of Angie Brown Ex- piated on the Scaffold. HISTORY OF THE CRIME. Written Statement by the Culprit and His Address from the Gallows. He Dies Fearlessly and Asserting His Innocence. Interesting Scenes and Incidents. Hupson, N. Y., May 30, 1868. ™ te spring of 1867 a man calling himself Joseph Barney, a painter by occupation, and his reputed ‘wife, Josephine, were living in Dayton, Ohio, and in the same city there also resided a woman in humble eircumstances named Mary H. Stewart and her only ehild, Angeline, a pleasing little girl of about eleven years of age. An acquaintance was formed between the Barneys and Mrs. Stewart, which soon ripened Tato a neighborly intimacy, and continued for a period of about five or six months. During this time they visited each other at their respective homes, and Mr. and Mrs. Barney evinced a warm regard and fondness for the little girl which was surpassed only by the fervent affection of her mother. Early in September of that year Barney, who had not been fm regular employment, expressed an intention of Jeaving Dayton in quest of work and stated this in- tention to Mrs. Stewart, informing her also that he bad resolved that his wife in the meantime and dur- his search for something to do at his trade should make a brief visit to her friends, who he stated re- sided at Hartford, Conn. THE VICTIM ADOPTED. He subsequently prevailed upon Mrs. Stewart to allow her daughter Angeline, or Angie as she was familiarly called, to accompany his wife on this visit, as he was not going to travel in an easterly direc- tion, adding as a reason for his request that he thought she would be a protection as well as a com- panion to his wife, from the fact that the presence of @ child might serve to repel advances of unprincipled men toward a lady travellingalone, An arrangement similar purport with ‘another family and consent given that the daughter had been made of a ‘ef this family should go with Mrs. Barney to Hartford, but a sudden illness eventually saved the Aife of that child. After some importuning Mrs. Stewart finally gave her consent, under a pledge that ifher daughter desired at any time to return she should be sent to her home, and on the 17th of Septemper the Barneys left Dayton with Angie. They next made their appearance at Cleveland Ohio, and here Barne. $5,000, in the Hartford Accidental Insurance Com- being drawn to insure her as his Pany, the polic; Ratural daughter, and under the name of Brown, and to cover a period of three months only. Leaving Cleveland shortly afterwards th eeeded in com as Oaanan Four ‘and about twenty-three miles froi pro- to a village in this State known m1 Hudson, north- easterly. Here the name of Brown was assumed by the whilom Barneys, and under that name they were there known. ‘then rented the basement of a wooden Yenement house of very moderate ‘went to work at his trade, retensions, and Brown obtaining employ- ment from his newly formed neighbors. n after to ean however, they were Bome extent by the villagers on account of a rumor which had obtained credence that wn had formerly been the proprietor of a pone. of te on, in ee eats and wife, ag she was to be, been an inmate previously of a So broth &, lived with com tively little intercourse with le in the village, and but little notice was taken of them, morg particularly 80 as they were not very obtrusive. THE PLAN IN OPERATION—THE MURDER. On the night or evening of the 6th of December ba Tk t and his paramour left the house and to the hotel in the village, the little girl, , Femaining at home alone, and shortly afterwards the house was ered to be in flames, the fire origi- Bating in the tenement occupied by the Browns. ‘The fire was extinguished before the basement was en- tirely destroyed, and on the pantry floor were discov- ered, in an almost un: izable mass, the crisped Sash angi var” sas te oy as —! wi wn. The was found under a lot of burnt and blackened rubbish, ‘and a harrowing description of its appearance was given by Dr. Azariah J ne of the parties who it. He stated liminary in tien that shortly after the bi out of the fire he ‘went to the house, and after the flames were extin- guished he saw on the floor by the light of a lantern to be a human ing, and roved to be the’ body e left leg was entire rely burded and hed the appearance alas ot never red an @ appearance also of having been scalded, The knee and lower portions of the right leg had been entirely consumed, and the mb was broken at about the lower third of the thigh, so that the splintered bones protruded about ‘three inches beyond the flesh. The had the a of having been broken by something fall: on it. It was a plain fracture and had not been burned off. Both hands and the arms nearly to the elbows were gone, and the skin, flesh and ribs were rib bones being charred of charred. The skull hed was gone anda im of brain also, the portion of the brain remaining looking somewhat fresh, and the face, though entire, was much blackened. The skull was @o burned that it was in a crisp and crumbling state. THE SUCCESS OF THE PLOTTERS—THE ARREST. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had, at the time they first went to Canaan, boarded at the hotel for a time, bat had not called upon the yy Wil- Mame, or his family from e time they Jeft until vi in question, and y merely ci to 4 friendly visit and return a few Magazines ich Mi ad borro’ A coroner's jury ‘Was summoned, an ingu: Femiered to the effect that Angie had died from burns, ‘the origin of ee being unknown. The remains est held and a verdict was were taken by Brown to Granby, Conn., for burial, and he there took immediate steps to collect the amount of his policy of life insurance on the child, About a fortnight the body was exhumed in consequence of some suspicion, and the phy- sicians of the insurance company made an examination of the remains, Dr. Carney, one of the physicians, next proceeded to Caanap and made a@searching and acute inspection of the prem and the evidences there developed in connection ‘with suspicions previously entertained induced him to telegraph to Granby a request that Mr. and Mrs, Brown be arrested, which was complied with, and the prisoners were brought to this city on a requist- tion from the Governor and confined in the county —_ On the 30th of December last they were taken fore Recorder Miller and examined. Nine wit- messes were called, and it was at this inves- tigation that Dr. Judson testified as to the appearance of the body, or rather the remains, ‘The prisoners were both remanded to await the ac- tion of the Grand Jury. Two bills of indictment, one for murder and the other for arson—both offences being charged in the first degree—were presented fainet the prisoners by the grand inquest on the th of January, and upon their being arraigned at the session of the court then sitting they pleaded not guilty. THE TRIAL. Joseph Brown, alias Barney, alias Matthews, was brought before the Court of Oyer and Terminer on Monday, April 13, and the trial was commenced on day; but in the case of Mrs. Brown the trial was Postponed and has not yet taken place. Mr. Justin Rufus W. Peckham, of the Supreme Court, Albany county, presided at the trial; Attorney General Champlain and District Attorney Weish con- ducting the prosecution, and Mr, R. N. Andrews and Cyrus Marcy, of this city, defending. Forty-five witnesses were examined during the trial—thirty for the prosecution and fifteen for the defence—tie most important evidence for the prose- cution bein, t of the perecuee avho had examined the of the victim. All the medi+ cal witnesses testified that from the appear- ance of the remains on exhumation they had no donbt whatever that the child was dead be- fore she was burned, from the fact that the lungs es ho indications of having been scorched or rned, as almost invariably is found to be the case ‘where a | ayer is burned to death, this being the re- sult of the inhalation of the flames and heat. They were also of this opinion from the further fact that the skin was not blistered by the action of the fire, as it would have been if she had been alive when burned. ‘The physicians had also discovered an in- — fracture of the skull, apparently produced by a blow. A large number of witnesses, residente of the vil- Jage of Canaan, were examined, who testified that when the body was revealed from beneath the rub Pish a very strong smell of turpentine wag easily de- insured ry bei life in the sum of ners, situate in Columbia county Brown and his ‘the station house in that city after their sot wnee, wise, nae warn thes any person . Mrs, Brown waa and ‘upon his memory a it relative to the birth and percent Gees , in which they agreed claim thatshe was Offspring and was born in Vermont, immediately left toward his own home. Several witnesses were examined in relation to the fainting fit-by which Brown to have been overcome upon ascertaining a had been burned to death, their evidence ing to rove that the prostration was merely assumed, ‘Oo men who supported him while in this state of collapse testified that they, having some suspicions as to its being natural and unfeigned, suddenly released their hold of him as though about to let litm fall to the ground, and that he immediately clutched at them, apparently in an endeaver to save himself. THE SENTENCE. The trial was concluded on Friday, April 17, and a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree was rendered. Brown was thereupon sentenced to be hanged on Saturday, May 30, 1868, and was confined tn atcell in the east wing of the prison, where he has since remained, Upon the rendition of the verdict the court pro- to pass immediate sentence on motion of the prosecution. The court asked Brown in the usual manner if he had anything to why sentence of death should not be pronounced, He immediately responded “ Yes, I have;” and, turning to the jury, continued— “Tam an innocent man; you can kill my body, but you cannot kill my spirit ; have that in mind ; that’s all I have got to say.” Judge Peckham reminded him that such a remark as that would have no effect on the case, and Brown re- torted that he * could not help that.” Upon sentence being passed on him he sharply responded “All right.” He was then remanded tw the custody of Sheriff Overheiser, of this county, and confined in the coun- ty prison, occupying a cell on the upper floor of the southeast corner of the eastern wing. Of the prison life of the condemned there is little worthy of note to be recorded. Being an uneducated man, his time was employed in conversations with visitors, to whom he was always affable and courteous, even pertexing of that sleganee which is characteristic of he French people, and is inherited toa great extent by the French Canadians, He had aiso juent and pro- tracted interviews with his spiritual adviser, Rev. Johnson, an Episcopal clergyman of this city, and his wife, who occupied the cell directly beneath the cell of the culprit, was also unremitting in her at- tendance whenever permitted to visit him, and spent much time ip reading the Scriptures to him. It has also been rumored recently that he had made two confessions, or statements, one of which was given to his clergymen and the other to a gentleman of this city. i EFFORTS OF COUNSEL. Shortly after being sentenced a strenous effort was made to procure from the Governor a commutation of the penalty to imprisonment for Iffe, but after con sultationé With the judicial authorttles it was pe- remptorily refused. An effort had been made latterly to obtain a respite, which, however, also fatied of its object, though it is not known whether the Governor had been con- sulted on the subject. The reason assigned for this attempted delay was exceedingly, vague and im- probable, and was to the effeet that Brown was a weak minded man, subjected to the control of his wife, who 1s represented as bcing of strong mental borer and great resolution of purpose; that she ads by her superior tact and influence vir- tually sealed his mouth in relation to the crime to which it was claimed evidence had been since de- veloped tending to show that he was only an acces- sory before the fact and that the deed was conceived and executed by his wife. Upon this series of, so far groundless, rumors a respite was looked for at least until after she should be tried. ALL HOPE GONE. The prisoner received the notification of the Gov- ernor’s refusal to interpose his clement pre: tive with the utmost indifference, so far as it was evinced by outward manifestations, and had from that time been apparently reconciled to his impending fate. When this was received. Sheriff Overhiser, in com- ny with others, proceeded to the cell of Brown and informed him of the fact that all the efforts of his counsel had failed. Mrs. Brown, by the kind permission of the Sheriff, was in the cell of her husband, and was en, in sewing when the entered, seated on the on. the floor, Rev. Mr. Johnson asked Brown if he had had any intimation of a petition being circulated for a stay of his execution, and the prisoner replied in she atirmette: The uestion his) then ae ed him e expect ave i granted, to which he replied, “Not in the Teast.” Mr. Johnson then said to Brown, “Of course you will pet: Cae be. Cisinprnte know that the petition has failed,” and the answer came freely:— “Not in the least. I have made up my mind to die. If I had had plenty of money I would have jus- tice done me. I have no theory of the murder, but I think that the little girl must have been fill the lamp and it burst, ing her clothes on fire. I am innocent of the charge of murder. If I had had money I would have had plenty of friends; but there is no use talking about now. It has been hard fer me to get out of my mind ing Ghares ce he Jur but he is forgiven now, It is no use ing up any! — anyone. I have thought jong that when the day came (meaning the execution) would make @ statement of the case. I was not ited in the people there were IT was in their way. There is just as men, and better, too, that have been I shall be yom Ine same as I am now on the day they lead me out. PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION. On Thursday last preparations for the consumma- tion of the sentence were commenced, and a tempo- rary shed of about twenty-five feet front by forty in depth was erected at the east end of the jail, the vetey side of the structure being close against the east wall of the prison. The entrance to the shed ‘was at’the southeast corner from the rear of the jall, and a plank platform extended the west side of the building, on the ground, at the extremity of the platform, in the northwest corner was erected the scaffold, which was in its general principles built on the usual plan, where the culprit to be lifted into the air instead of drop through a trap. It consisted of two upright supports of heavy timber, with a massive cross piece, one end of which passed into an enclosed apartment, pi@nked to the roof within the main shed. Three pulley wheels were inserted in the cross beam—one at its centre, one at the end within the enlosed box and an- other half way between the two first named. The rope was laterally along the beam, over the pulleys ami into the executioner’s box, de- nding there from the end of the beam. Within ie box & -shaped weight of 205 pounds was suspended from the end of the cross beam, and the of execution was attached to this weight. A new feature here introdaced was that instead of the short rope which bore the weight being cut bya hatohet at the proper moment the noose which it bung from the end of the beam was slipped off. ‘This allowed beh n, maphe dines to the ground about four feet and the thus coming upon the slender cord it ran over the pulleys and its other extremity was rapidly drawn up. An immense crowd visited the scene of the ex- fed execution meng G and many singular and ribald jests remarks were made by numbers of the visitors. A noted individual from New York, who felt quite prominent in consequence of his having been requested to come here and assist in carrying out the execution of the sentence, took the palm, however, by his repulsive s and lerday seemed anxions to begin his wor! Re. fer! to the delay in the trial of Mrs. Brown he said that “If I had had anything to do with the job I would have tumbled ‘em both off afore ‘now; d—n ‘em, they both deserve it; but she is the one that killed that youngster, She's nothiug bot a d—d b—h and is airaid to let him come down here alone to be hung for fear he would let out on her.” This is a specimen of his whole conversation, and if resulting from the fact that he has had a great experience among criminals and at executions, would suggest to even the “antu- tored mind” that there is something to be loathed in acquiring “experience” if it 18 to be accompanted by and inculcate brutalism. Little boys of tender years, who had gained access to the prison encios- ure, were engaged in playing with the pendant rope, and some of them were swinging on it until they were at jast driven away. INTERVIEW WITH THE CONDEMNED. Last night at about nine o'clock I had an inter- view with the condemned man, Sherif John Bb. Over- heiser, a genial gentleman and an efficient oMcer, who tempers the rigidity of the requiremenfs of his oficial position with the discretion, kindness and firmness which characterize the man, having afforded me the privilege, and himself accot panying me with jubled and barred doors of the con- a lantern. Th demned mai apartment ba 3 lazily open as we entered, and he lantern’s feeble light relieved the obscurity of the interior a man of slight physique was seen iying on his back on @ let on the floor. I was introduced by the Sheriff and greeted in a friendly manner by the prisoner, who still re- tained his recumbent posture. In answer to the juestion whether he had been sleeping, he replied that he had not, but he supposed he would sieep all right when the time came. Numerous questions of an ordinary character were put to him and promptly answered; but when Interrogated as to matters con- nected with himself he was more reserved. He stated that he had worked at painting in several < in New York city; among others at an astab- lishment in Fortieth street, between Sixth avenue and Broadway ; he was a native of Connecticut, of French Canadian parentage, but was taken to Montreal, Canada, when six years of age. He left that city twenty-five years ago, and had since re- in the United States, being now forty-two years . He declined to he whatever rela- tive to his former connections or of his friends, or, in fact, anything which would afford a clue to his actual identity, adding in response to @ suggestion that if it was to his interest to do 80 she hould re- main silent. ‘Not my interests. My iyterests are all gone up; but there are the interests ‘lends of mine that | have had whieh I must not say snyyning for.” He ke voluntarily in terme of high praisé of the leniency shown him and the genera) and kindly treatment shown him by his keeper, never having been in any way Manacled or restrained of the fuli privilege of e e HE LASP BOURS OF His wife afterwards ‘Was allowed to visit him, and remained with him untf eleven, o'clock, when she retired to her own cell, and the unhappy man shortly fell into a deep slumber. he was aroused in to Mr, Snyder, the afterwards per- ie ms, é z 5 3 2 z z had that l 25385 Peel & Hs read a selection of Scrip- At seven o’clock breakfast, of which he plrtook less heartily than usual, was served, and he afterwards began to attire himself for execution. At about nine o’ctock his spiritnal consoler, Rev. Mr. Johngon, accompanied by Rev. Mr. Fitch, en- tered the cell and engaged in religious devotion, the culprit and his wife bot anita yn Ba gern at the close of which the sacrament of the Lord’s Sup- er was administered in conformity with the ritual of the Episcopal church. The execution had been fixed to take place be- tween the hours of nine o’clock in the forenoon and = shed devoted to the enactment of the final scene. These were all admitted by tickets issued by the Sheriff, and deputizing those present to ‘assist at the execution," and the hour or two of suspense were winled away by the motley crew in criticising the engins of death and its primitive construction and principles of working; smoking, talking loudly and abe erisengns and letting off occasiona! squibs relative to the murder and the scene to be enacted. ‘The air in this building was oppressive in the ex- treme, the morning having set in with a cloudy sky and @ humid atmosphere, occasionally penetrated with bursts of sunshine, which served to render the air like that of a vapor bath chamber. The court house or jail building is a neat white marble edifice, standing nearly in the centre of a square ofa rich green sward studded with large overshadowing trees and surrounded by a white railing, An extra force of about one pandred special constables was posted along the ingide of this fence to keep the ulace back, while those who had tickets of admission presented themselves at the north or front gate, handed their ticket to the otiicer and surrendered a second ticket at the entrance to the jail building, It had been anticipated that an immense crowd of citizens and country folks would assemble, but such was not the case. Not more than five or six hundred per- sods were at any time gathered around the enclosure, and this number was composed mainly of men and vehiciés, while a few* groups of women in twos and threes stood in awed and pensive mood a short distance away from the principal gatherings. Several of the window of a large house at the east end of the prison were filled by a lai number of handsomely dressed ladies, who, thor probably considering themselves women of “taste,” had evidently tastes of a morbid nature in common with their more plainly attired though equally curious sisters in the streets below. IMPRESSIVE AND AFFECTING SCENCE. While the expectant crowds within and without the prion grounds were eagerly taking up their “positions” the toilet of the condemned man was being completed, He was attired in a suit of black, with black necktie, the upper button of his coat fas- tened, showing a white shirt front, and his hair tastefully arranged. His appearance was in no re- Pe repulsive, but on the contrary gentlemanly and picasing, his features being well formed, with fore- head of medium breadth and height, dark brown pnd side whiskers and mustaches, and his chin clearly shaven. Shortly after being noti- fied to prepare, he announced himself ready for execution, there being in the cell at the time the turnkey, the clergymen, the prison- er’s wife and two or three officers. ih tears brimming to his eyes he clasped his wife by the hand, embraced her and kissed her repeatedly and fondly, and whispered a few words in her ear. Pent up emotion could be no longer re- restrained and both gave way to their anguish by bursting into tears, As one of the officials led to pinion his arms he said, “Oh don’t do this before my'wife.” He was then requested to into the corridor and his arms were there bound with cords. Leaving the ze and ing down the narrow to the rear door in the east w: the Lancet to the scaffold was formed in the fol- order. Sheriff and Under Sheriff. Turnkey and Prisoner. ‘The Sheriffs of Albany and Rensselaer Counties. Seven ad geek Sherifts. District Attorney ana Surroga' ey ual The Maes Clergymen. cI Thesolemn ee slowly out into the court- yard and posed, into the shed where the gallows was erected, the assembled'crowd uncovering their heads. Arrived beneath the pendant rope and the pris- oner faced the crowd and the swii cord dangled his ear, while the officers di them- selves around the scaffold. Sheriff Overheiser in a firm voice then read ita conclusion said, ‘In pursuance of this order and authority, Mr. Brown, we now propose to execute that end. eee bowed assentingly.) The a will now proceed with the religious ser- Rev. Mr. Johnson, in a full toned voice that sounded with strange solemnity under the circum- stances, and amid profound silence, then read the Episcopal service for dying criminale, and with an overpowering impressiveness the words swelled upon the air—“Remember not ,Lord, our iniquities nor the iniquities of our forefathers; neither take ‘Thou vengeance of our sins. Spare us, Lord, Spare us Whom Thou hast redeemed wit! most recious blood, and be not angry with us forever.” e service occupied about twenty minutes, but ap- seal to have lasted for an hour, the culprit stand- ing with head slightly drooped and bowing fre- quently, as though acquicscing in the language and spirit of tne prayers, and occasionally moving his lips as though uttering an inaudible yes.” At its close Sheriff Overhiser asked the prisoner if he desired to say anything. THR PRISONER'S DYING ADDRESS. Brown then cleared his throat, stood more erect and said:—Gentlemen, I have @ few remarks to make. J have left @ statement with Mr. Howard which it is—will learn the citizens and my friends some those point which they have not posted on. Furthermore, I have left pretty much all what I intend to leave. I did suppose—it is hope to have no statement made here, although I made : aye ready. lam ae rg he O G roceeding sourt--capecially e t At- ney, and Mr. Peckham, which is the judge. Mr. Peckham is a man which is voted by the people with Bocas ee pee > bie mine to judge me in the it of his knowledge and mind, and also all the jury. I have this to say—I think that a good many gentlemen which was the witness—which was the witness on this trial—which Mr. Peckham did not allowed ‘em to really state the fact, and know the fact which it would throw light on the subject as it should be, First place I am not a law- yer; 1am not ’complished; 1 have my way as it is— such as it is. I could see in this proceeding from the beginning to the last. He came out and go in there with his mind poisoned by the idea of those people who prosecute me; then he came out like a lion braced up in that thing, and hear the evi- dence of those gentlemen which—it is witn the power of money—whionh it is made with the power of money—which they had all the money they wanted to es to this thing and doneso. Iwasa man as | was, hearing—sup- posing that I should hear the truth and the fact, which a mag with any principle should say. Other- wise come these witness again with a pack of- what? Pack of pay which they have made— which they & statement which I made, which I never made—whtch I never made, It made upon the same story, what was it? A fabric, a lie—brought up the paper which those gentlemen made—three, four, five, six men, ‘We wili read this paper, which will throw light on the same subject—they@:annot rebut us very weil, They said, “It is enough, we have made a pa rv between us.” But there is @ man which has no Fiend, no money, we will give him what he deserves’ any way.’ But I got vem little to say—I shall repeat this over again. Then, when the proceedings about those man whic! was the Coroners inquest and other entle- men which the judge didn’t allow and the things which these men that state the facts and resnit, and those bry 3 and facts which they see. And further- more that they got through that proceedings which they didn’t want to hear, with the best of those fi which things which will not here, might be understand a8 1 said before he come like a lion and went aw: like @ lion—and little worse. Then furthermore char; the jurymen— which it is for the jury to decide, which it was for them to decide why it was so short or decide it was #0 long. The pantry way door was-shut; the outside door it was locked. Brown was the last man in, and who done it? “You!” Gentlemen, it is for the jury to say who done and not that nran—not that ntieman. After the jury offered the decision that it was done, see the changes. What helped it to say afterwards. Then come out’ the jary too, and there- fore could not agree on some point or another which 1 do not know—don't care. He asked them, ‘Gen- tlemen, what is the matter—what is the trouble’ What is the reason you don’t agree’ Well, I will re- it it to you again. Brown was the jast man in the jouse. Large amount of stuff and rubbish— so many barrels—eight barrels, Which certain witness where the real fact was, only five and a haif barreis. I dont really state that as @ fact, but it was good nice responsible man which I and when the man was asked “Why didn’t you had that measured )— the stuff measured’?—and gentlemen could not be told What waa it any more staff than was re- quired to be on the account of the fire. ‘Hold on—I object to that.” This is not the way—if that js the way iD which one man judge another man on his own rinciple, on his own idea, his judgment which we ave by the Jaw, and have jurymen which are to find out the prisoner ny, or not t be found guilty by one man. en the jurymen brought the verdict after he charged them so strong. Favor, gevtlemen; the Jawyere show favor ww the prisoners. Favor to who? Favor to the people. Then they ask mercy—mercy—the jury asked merey of the court. peopienere toe herent see. myself nove With the —I see wi rope round my neck to draw me as soon as | what have to say. have mot seen much of this mercy yet. Further- more, what says the District Attorney—a gentleman wi ia well Known? I cannot remember ali what he said, but tlemen There were others there; 1 (To the Sherif)—I showing his manner when he said this? sald he would not advise him to, Brown continued: — Well, no matter; I'll tell you how he-did; he came up and took hoid of me with both hands and said I hope you'll forgive me. I should like to ask a question.” Brown paused a moment and then proceeded:—If you're willing Tl proceed further. ‘Well, Brown,’ the Dis- trict’ Attorney said, “I am District Attorney; Thad to do my duty, and they made such an awful complaint against me that Thad to do what I did, but I know you're not guilty.” He went down staias and I heard him tell my wife, ‘Well, he’s not guilty.’? He said he was very sorry to see me in the condition | wasin. 1 forgive him, and I think that if it wasin his power to do anything I would not stand here now. 1 forgive all who were engaged in the prosecution, and | hope God will forgive them as Ido. I am_ even sorry for what I’ve said. I believe that Mr. Welch in his heart is sorry to sce me here. I have ga stated what he told me. I forgive the Judge, Mr. Welch and ail the witnesses in the case, and I hope they'll for- uive me for what I have said. In regard to Mr. R. E, Andrews, my lawyer, he defended me well, gen- tlemen. I was well defended. He labored hard for me; he never received any pay for all his labor. I’m very thankful to him and also to Mr. Overhiser (the Shertff) for the good treatment he has given me since T’ve been in jail, and the good care and respect with which he has treated me, and have had all I deserved from him to comfort me, I thank all the gentlemen who have helped me in this matter, Concerning this crime, [am not guilty of murder- ing the child; I am not guilty of setting the house on fire, not know as anybody did it any further than this:— Gentlemen, I was not wanted im Canaan Four Corners by one gentleman; and, gentlemen, there was one ‘gentleman among the witnesses that took a good deal of interest in me; he knew the quantity of stuff and the amount of everything in that house, while there were twelve men there who did not, I do not layup anything; this is what I have in my mind; he went and got stuff belonging to me and got in his own provisions with- out my consent. Well, gentlemen, the Lord God Jesus Christ is the Judge of all judges, which yeu will know some day or other. He numbers your days, hours and minutes; you'll find I’m not guilty, some day, of the crime fbr which Lam. now to be hanged tilll am dead, dead, dead, as it is written in the paper that the Sherif has read. » Tsuppose you are already sick of hearing such foolish, nonsensical talking. Brown, and whether that’s my true name. Mr. Peckham said 1 tried to cut all cations by railroad and ing my name; my name is and I had a half brother named Rk. Barney; when I went into partnership with him he put on to his sign “J. and,’ so as to. make it read “J. and R. Barney. Well, 1 owe no grudge to the gentleman who is to pull the rope; I forgive him from the bot- tom of my heart, and ll first make a little prayer to God; now I'll kneel down and give my heart and soul to God.” THE CLOSING SCENE. The culprit then knelt and the clergyman offered a brief prayer. At its close Brown still remained kneeling, as if in silent devotion. He arose in about three minutes and looked perfectly calm and self- ossessed. An officer drew the noose from beneath jrown’s-coat and attached it to the cord depending above his head. The black cap was drawn over his face, the Sheriff waved his handkerchief, and the body of Brown was jerked npwards a distance of six fet. Returning on the slack of the rope with a sud- fen twitch, he swung to and fro, and his frame be- came soméWhat convulsed, but no unusual struggles were apparent, though he continued to shudder for twelve minutes; After hanging abont half an hour the body was cut down, eDcoffined and measures taken for a decent burial. physicians in attendance examined the body and found that the neck had been dislocated, and the customary verdict was rendered. Shortly after- wards the caren surrounding the prison were with- drawn, and a large number of outsiders rushed in and through the jail to the rear, and pressed their way into the shed where the execution had been consummated. These persons were prompted by a morbid desire to look upon the body and the implements of death. Amo whose curiosity urged them up to the number of women and childre! foseph Brown, cation of the majesty of the law. BROWN’S WRITTEN STATEMENT. The follow! is Brown's written statement ing it, to which allusion was made by him in his address de- scaffold: livered from the — My name is Joseph Brown; I was born in Hartford, Conn.; when I was three years old I left Hartford and went to Windsor, Conn., and staid there two years; then went to Canada East and remained there until { was fourteen years old, du which time I learned the palnter’s trade; came to the State of New York in the year 1843 and located in Whitehall, ana Colum- went from there to Canaan Four Corners, bia county; two years ago this last fall | was in New York city; my x , Isaac Lamberson, who resides in Bradford Co., Pennsyl- vania, wrote to me and my wife that he was sick, and desired us to come and see him ; while we were at his house he died ; I had a half brother in Dayton, Ohio, whose name was R. Barney ; he wrote to me several times to come out to Dayton and go into partnership with him ; I went there and entered into Partnership with him; instead of making a new sign to be used as our firm name, we used the old one, merely adding the wor “J. 8.9 so that it ‘read ‘J, S. R. Barney.” People there called us Barney and brother; we continu rtnership about elght months, and in that time id @ large amount of oe business; my baif brother thought he would resign, and the partn ship was dissolved by mutual — at; I was in Day: ton thirteen years , at that time was acquainted with rs, Stuart; she was @ very poor woman; she was once mar- ried to @ man nam Douglas ; since that time she was married to & man named Stuart, a roughish kind of a man and of dissolute habits, who did not live with her rallrond; Mrs. me he got drunk and was Killed on the railroad; Mra. Stui Seay told me that the child named Angie Stuart was my child; she told several other Fg png the same story who now live in Springfield, Mass. ; Mrs, Stuart was living last spring in a house belong- ing to the wife of a clergyman named Win- ters, on Third street, in town, Ohio; I lived in the same town, in Montgomery street, No, 26; the house was owned by Mr. Wm. Dickie and was leased by me, together with other and buildings; Mrs. Stuart came to me and said that she was turned out of house and home, and again made the statement that the child Angeline was my own and that | ought to do Rage ed her and the gi I let her in my house and provi forthe family; be- fore | got ready to come away Mrs. Coburn, who was a working woman, had a little girl who she wanted me to take with me; | gave her some money to dress the girl with to see how she would look; aiterward Mrs. Coburn got married, and she told me that her hns- band would take care of the girl, and the money which I had advanced to her was returned; Mrs, Stuart’s daughter Minerva said to me, “Why don’t you take Angie?’ and the little ‘irl began to cry, and commenced teas- ing her mother to with me; Minerva sald, “Mother, why don't you let her go, we have got enough to do to take care of ourselves,” and Mrs, Stuart consented. She asked me when I was com- ing back, and I replied that I didn’t know; it might be three weeks, three monthg, or perhaps never. I left Mrs. Stuart wood and everything necessary to keep house with for two months or so. Mrs. Stuart came to the cars and bid us goodby. I said to her if Angie cried to come backel would send her back, as I did not want any one crying around me. Mrs. Stuart testified on my trial that she did not know me but partially, having failed to remember the kindness which | extended her when she was friendless and alone in Dayton, Ohio; I understand that Mrs. Stuart stayed with Welch while she was in this city, which 1s the cause no doubt of her bein fo forgetful; I came to Cleveland, Ohio, and stayed there about two hours; I did not to any hotel at Cleveland; | went to the Travellers’ Accidental Insurance Company there and got two policies, one for my wife and one for my little girl, of the amount of $5,000 each; I had to wait for the cars at Cleve- jand two hours, which was the cause of my stop- ping there; from Cleveland I came to Albany, ” and stopped at a public house there for a few day and then went to Canaan, Columbia rao where I boarded @ few days at the house of Mr. Williams; I hired @ house there of Mr. William Peasely; on the 6th of December, 1867, I worked for Mr. Drown the day the fire occurred; 1 hag hired a shop of aman in Canaan and had expected to get some material on that oy being too late for the cars I did not go on Mat day; that night I went to Williams Hotel and Was there when the alarm of fire was given; | went to my house as quick as I could, and when I got there [ saw vo fire; I did not know anything from that time until I found myself at the house of Edward Leavenworth; the morning after the fire the coroner's inquest wa# held and I asked Mr. Gordineer where there was an tn- dertaker; he said everybody was an undertaker in that place; he said he had once been in the business and had a good coffin of the size required which he would sell me; I told him to get a coffin and put the body in and I would pay him for it; he did so; the body was taken to Granby, Conn., and buried there; I was arrested there on complaint of the Hartford Insurance Company for murder and taken to Hartford; an officer told me that 1 bad to go; that Mr. Batterson said he would pay them their expenses for their trouble; one of the officers named Cole told me that they got $00; 1 remained in one of the police stations over ni and next morning was taken to jail; two or three days after that Chief of Police Chamberlain came to _m cell and asked me if [ wanted to speak witl bim and tell him about this murder; 1 told bim J had I know nothing about it whatever, and Ido There’s a future coming when you'll all be satisfied about Joseph communi- telegraph, by chang- those wana m. And thus, in the rush of eager and curious crowds of thoughtless tors, ended this solemn and memorable vindi- 5 iat Teed tar aaa | POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE, Sokckwtecler ibe sare Judge Chase and the Demétratic Nomination for the Presidency—Governor Seymour De- clares for Hha. An Albany (May 29) correspondent of the Brooklyn Fayle—democratic—furpishes the following:— came in and asked me This evening a li number of leading democrats hey wanted @ | held a consultation this city relative to political “Well, you must} movements. Among those present were Governor ” that was the way I came to be | Seymour, Wm. Cassidy, Peter Senators . Packard, a police omi- Norton, Hubbard and udges Grover. trial in Hodson that I} and Miller, Gomptrolfer Allen, Attorney General while in. the jail at Hi Champlain, State Treasurer Bristol, John ©. to him; all there was | Jacobs, chairman of the Impeachment Mana ‘me afew fio ers, J. esley Smith, Mr. Warren, of the officer Kelley, Albany, I 7, Hon. Smith M. Tweed and came to Hartford and told me he was tive; | others of note. Governor Seymour, in the course of Governor to take | conversation, took deeided ground in favor of the w it to me, but he | nomination of Chief Justice Chase for the y we went into his | by the democratic convention. He thought Chase, three hours, and he | in view of his recent action and his democratic ante- juisition from the Gov- | cedents, just the man to rally upon. It would ernor and took me to the jail; I staid there two | present'to the American people the issue of the judi- days and then I was Drought to the jail in | ciary against military power, law against anarchy. this city; Kelley stated that I made a@ confes- | Governor Seymour tliought Pendleton by aiding in sion to him, which I deny; if I made a confession to on my trial? I made no statement to Kelley whatever; he used me well, out- side of this statement; Kelley said to me as we en- tered the Court House yard, “The Hartford Insurance Company have told me enough about you to hang him why was he examined you already,” and I replied, ‘Well then, if that is the case, 1 shall not need ony Jonger;” I) was Placed in the Hudson jail on the 23d day of De- cember, 1867, where I remained until April, 1868; the District Attorney before the trial went to Canaan to investigate the circumstances of the alleged mur- der, and, it is said, reported on his way home that he had found an axe wrapped up in a vest sald belong to me, on which axe was a quan- tity of red hair and blood, and found secreted in the cellar; Mr. Gardineer told me that there was no truth in this’ story—that there was no axe found wrapped op in @ vest belonging to me; there were @ number of old axes on the premises, which had been left there by former occupants of the premises; in opening the case for the peopie the Dis- trict Attorney made the remark that if 1 was guilty or not guilty of the murder I ought to go to State Pri- son for six years; I do not feel satisfied with the pro- ceedings of the court; Mr. Allen, the Coroner, should, in my opinion, have had atchance to state what ap- eared in connection with the investigation of the eroner’s ju I think also that Mr. Drown should have @ chance to state what occurred under his observation; he and a few others were prevented from stating facts which would have thrown light upon the case, but were stopped by the decision of the Judge; Mr. Drown told me that Mr, Beale never tried to open the pantry door; Mr. Clark told me the same thing; I do not’ feel satisfied with the Judge's charge to the jy, because he said I was the last man in the house, the pantry door was shut, the outside door was locked, and then the remark, “who did it—you;? it was for the jury to decide these facts; the Judge's charge to the jury was hard against me ; I think he favored the prosecution very much; the rule that the prisoner is entitled to the benefit of all reasonable doubts was reversed in my case; the jury recommended me to mercy, but I have not received apy at the hands of a man yet, but hope to receive it in the future; I was married to Miss Josephine Ved- der January 2, 1866, in New Haven, Conn., by a Methodist clergyman; on the night of the fire Harriet Silvernail came to my house and asked Angie if she would go with her to meeting; she said she could not go, as her father and mother were going out to spend the evening; we were eating sup- per at this time; my wife said to me, “Joe, I am re to Mr. Williams; will you come after me?” said yes; this was when Harriet Silvernail was present, In regard to this crime I have only to say in addi- tion that my greatest satisfaction ‘is in the belief that in the endless future all men will be satisfled of my innocence, Great stress has been laid upon the statement that my wife has controlled me, which is not so; I have generally managed my own affairs, having had the ability to do so; I freely forgive the judge, District Atvorney and all others who were instrumental in my conviction; the treatment I have received since a prisoner at the hands of Sheriff Overhiser, County Clerk E. ©. Terry, Mr. Oyrus Macy, the Rey. Mr. Johnson, and other sane whose names I cannot now remember has been most kind and considerate; without money or friends they have befriended me in the hour of my adversity, and I pray that the God_be- fore whom I am shortly to appear will bless them in this world and that their final abiding place may be heaven; cepecially. do Ireturn my grateful thanks to Mr. R. E. Andrews, who has devoted him- my case with @ fidelity equal to that of @ brother; he not, received one cent remuneration for his laborious duties, and has freely given his time and money to secure justice to me; I cannot, in the gratitude of my heart, thank him Pot and if beseech @ kind Providence to shower the richest blessings ed him; he most ab! defended me on my trial and I am well satisfied w! his defence. In regard to this crime, I am not life. dying decl aration. BATES, JOSEPH } BROWN. mark. Witness—Cyras Macy, Byron G. Howat! ‘A RUSSIAN COUNT OF NO ACCOUNT. One would think, judging from the many bogus counté and marquises who (thanks to the keenness of their wits and the total absence of any such goodly commodity in the composition of their dupes) wave from time to time “done for” many a fashféna- ble family in this city, that foreign titles in upper tendom here would be muchy befow discount. But it would seem that such is not the fact, as the sequel will abundantly show. A young gentleman who is now believed to have hailed from that de- lightfutly dissipated locality called Paris came, a little over a year ago, to this country. He seemed to have, in fact he had, plenty of money, and did*not hesitate to let anybody whose acq uaintance he made know that, just fresh from asea voyage though he was, he had not, with other things, thrown off all liking for the “filthy Iucre.” Last summer he made himself particularly agreeable to the leasure-seekers of Saratoga, and gradually je news spread about that he wasa Russian count of noble lineage. How this gratifying intell was first & mystery toeverybody bat the gallant count himself; nor did he deny the ‘soft itn- pei when accused, but gently pleaded guilty the charge with but one count. From Saratoga at the close of the festive season, having made many friends among the moneyed aristocracy who Sy med to be at that place during his brilliant visit, e came to this city and managed to insinuate him- self into the good graces of his old friends ‘more and more by his pleasant wi but more particul: by giving them 0 undersaitd that the fal depth nad + eae and portance was unfathomable. le was a Russian count, that was an indisputable starting int corner all H I govern it to make contracts wit! sian government to mal estabtisnments here he id worthy of his official notice for an immense supply of iron material for the use of the Czar’s army and navy. He went to and from this city and Washington very often, com- plaining to his friends of the bother in having to make so many visits to the Russian Minifter at the latter place. Impressed with the Count’s import- ance his friends loaned him often sums varying from $1,500 to $2,000 at a time, and the Count was, oh, 80 very much obliged, and why in the deuce didn’t that gold he expected from aboad come to hand and enable him to return the kindness of his friends with unlimited interest. The Count one day requested one of bis admirers to hire and fit him up an el t office on Broadway for the exhibition of certain plans he desired American mechanics to see, so that they might be able to know now much material it would take and how much it would cost to carry them out practi in St. Petersburg; and then another friend was consulted as to what would be the best manner for him to exchange his gold into current funds, which was soon to arrive, of course. The office was hired, the friend's advice on exchange given and the Count lavished them with thanks. A few days after this exhibition of generosity he could not be found. The fact of the matter was the Count had taken passage on the steamer that left this port for Europe yesterday week. His “friends,” when his departure Was learned, came to headquarters and consulted Captain John Young as to what they should do in theymatter, ‘They were told what a nice set of donkeys they had made of themselves, and informed that the extra- dition treaty didn’t cover the distinguished foreign- er’s case, and then they went their way sorrowing, after giving the captain what the Count bad given them—many thanks, COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGRATION. Mr. Leonard R. Welles, the newly appointed Super- intendent of Ward's Island, having notified the Com- missioners that he would enter upon the duties of his position on June 1, the following circular has been issued by the committee having charge of the isiand and Mr. Bernard Casserly, generai agent and secretary of the commission:— Wanp's I8.anp Commrryny i ted Leon- with ae cece ihe S I ror the powers, Ail the employes of the expected w ‘orm ‘he ‘duu i department are them ies nas romptness and dil ve strict, attention (oat the rines and att will be considered, suff. gleot cause for dismissal if agy employe i found guilty of Intoxication, wilfal neglect ‘of duty, disobedience are or absent from the island without permission. It ie expected th Soedatonty ad oapeclan? to anata, rom frovantiy ot trery kind "Singra if visitors must at all times be an attent respect and pains “inst be tive whatever iutormation may be needed. “Keport to the nt of wil be ‘of all matters relating to the welfare emi ‘or the interest of the Commission, Tt ta the of every employe to assist in provecting sed preserving the propery, of the Commission, and 10 ald the uperintendent in the peformance of bie dupes, lty ; know nothing of its commission ; I believe the death of the ith a consciousness that I am-soon to answer at bar of my Maker for for all deeds done in this ‘This statement is the only one that I have made as thus harmonizing the anti-radical elements, would make himselfthe greatleader of his party in the fu- ture. In tne course of conversation it was hinted that the platform upon which Mr. Chase would stand would be acceptable to the anti-radical party, The democrats present, representing neatly every section of the State, received Governor. Seymour's sugges- tons, not only with the ct due to to their source, but many of them with lively satisfaction, feeling that if . Chase's ition is such as the governor intimated it to be, the democracy can have a candi- date with whom, under the circumstances, not only the Presidency but a majority in the House of Repre- sentatives, can be assured. A Card from Senator Grimee. ‘The Chicago Tribune publishes the following card from Senator Grimes :— WASHINGTON, May 26, 1868. It is not true that I have now, or ever had, any hostility to Mr, Wade, I never had tne slightest mis- understanding with him in my life. It is not true that Lever sought to be, or ever de- sired to be, a candidate for Vice President or Presi- dent pro tempore of the Senate, It is not true that Chief Justice Chase sought to influence my judgment in the impeachment trial, never had a word of conversation with the Chief Justice on that'suBject, nor on the subject of a new party or of any political party; nor did he ever mention the subject of the Presidency to me, I have not been in the house of the Chief Justice for more than two years. ¢ It is not true that I have ever been dissatisfled with the reconstruction planof Congress. So far from ut, I was one of the seven Senators wit of the Joint Committee on Reconstruct the report. 1 was chairman of the sub-committee on the State of Tennessee, and it was upon my recom- mendation that that State was so early restored to the Union. It is not true that { am now or ever was, either «i- rectly, or indirectly, interested in the Chicago Tribune newspaper, 1 do not know nor ever have known how the Tribune corps ts organized, what is its capl- tal, who are jts stockholders, or thé value of its BI . Nor have I ever sought to influence the course of that paper.on any measure, public or private. I am sorry to be compelied to add that the story so circumstantially related and published that the wife bs the editor of that paper my daughter, is not rue. It is not true that I ever had the aes sympa- thy with the general policy of’ Mr. Jofason’s admin- istration. I have had no personal intercourse with Mr. Johnson for two years; never asked him for a favor and never received one from him, It is true that when T took an oath that “in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Andrew Johnson I would render impartial justice according to the constitution and the laws” I ceased to act in a@ representative capacity. I became a judge, acting on my own responsibility and account- able only to my own conscience and my Maker; and no power could force me to decide In such @ case, contrary to my convictions, to suit the requirements of @ party, whether that party were composed of my friends or my enemies, JAMES W. GRIMES. Political Notes. Illinois ts claimed for Pendleton inthe Democratic Convention, but it is now said that a muster of the thirty-two delegates shows @ majority who are op- posed to Pendleton personally and to his platform, and who, relieving themselves on the first and ‘second ballot of the obligation of their instructions, will vote thereafter for any man who will be satis- factory to New York and New England. The name of Mr, Henry O. Carey has been sug: gested in connection with the representation in Con- gress of the Secohd district of Pennsylvania, The North American is authorized by Mr. Carey to say that under no cfrounfstances would he be willing to accept a nomination for that or any other public child was purely accidental; I am_ not ity of the crime of murder ; neither ih 1 guinty es ing fire | Position. poe building ; this statement true, and I make A correspondent of the Pittsburg Commercial writes from Richmond that ‘Chief Justice Chase has suddenly become very popular with the people and press of Virginia; and those who a few months since were loudest in denouncing him can now scarcely find words to express their admiration of the upright man and just judge.”’ The Washington correspondent of the Chicago Times says:—‘'The Hon. Deniel W. Voorhees, of In- diana, a leading democrat, has been busily engaged for some weeks urging the claims of Mr. Chase to the democratic nomination.” It is also suspected that Senator Hendricks ts identified with the Chase move- ment, as he and the Ohief Justice have become re- markably intimate of late. THE NATIONAL GAME. The Mutuals appeared at the Capitoline grounds yesterday and engaged in a tilt with the Stars of Brooklyn, and in consequence of the mist which prevailed during the last few days a great many were deterred from visiting the scene of battle, and, therefore, missed seeing a very pretty game, The Stars played, as they can play, in neat and generally effective style, but they were somewhat too light for their tough opponents. ‘Brother Tom” played in the fleld and did as well there as he can at second base, and that is saying enough for hfm. Thorne pitched fpr the Mutuals, and evidently with good effect. The game epded with a score of twenty-eight to six in favor of the Mutuals. Martin having re- signed from the club, Thorne and Walters will ne the change of pitchers; and if the Mutuals will con- tinue through the season backing bhp pitching an vet ag they have opened it they will prove to be excedingly troublesome customers and stand a chance of bringing “the whip” across Harlem river. Matches have eon arranged to come off (weather permitting) as follows:— June 1—Union, of Morrisania, vs. Olympic, of Pat- Paterson. erson, N. June 1—Massasolt, of New York, vs. Nationals, of Pegingaae I. I, at Farmingdale. er _ ford vs. Mohawk, on Union ground, at ree P. M. June 2—New York vs. Brooklyn, home and home game, at Capitoline ground. June 3—Mutual vs. Keystone, at Union ground. June 8—Union, of Morrisania, vs. Yale College nine, at New Haven, Conn. June 8—Atlantic vs. Star, on Union grownd, at three P. M. June 9—Grand tournament at Niagara Falls. The matches set down for to-morrow will no doubt be extrafiue. The champion Unions wiil have bye Jéte at Paterson, and it is to be hoped that the fate of the Olympics in consequence will not be a very disastrous one, as they have mace arrange- ments on a large scale to have the occasion pleasing in Oa detatl. ‘The Massasoit Club (no relation to Massa Greeley), & young and ‘dexterous” organization, will en- deavor to ‘‘box ” the Nationals—a somewhat siut- larly social party—at Farmingdale, and if the latter should chance to win the trophy the former will say, beyond a doubt, “ Let ‘er went.’ “IMPORTANT INSURANCE TRIAL AT B0STON. (From the Evening Telegram of yesterday.) Boston, May 30, 1868, An important insurance triai which has been pend- ing a couple of weeks In the Supreme Judicial Court has just been closed. There were six bills in equity brought by the Commercial Mutual, the Harmony Fire and Marine, the Phoenix and the Mercantile Mu- tual and Marine Insurance Companies, alt of New York; and the Baltimore Marine and Merchants’ Mutual Insurance Compantes of Baltimore, against William McLoon. The object of these bills was to set aside policies of insurance made in February, 1806, upon the sip Young Mechanic, her freight and outfits, in ail amounting to about f nad The Young Mechanic was burned oct coast of South America, and the com piainante contend that the destruction is the result of a conspiracy b*tween Mr. McLoon, the owner, and Captain Grant, her master. A large amount of e dence was introduced, most of it relating to the cou dition of the ship as to seaworthiness aud to her value and the value of the freight and outits at the time the insurance was effected. The jury decited that the ship was seaworthy; that $65,000 was $10,009 in excess of the ship's valuation, but not fraudu- lently excéasive; that the valuation of the ‘relight and outfits was $25,000 In excess of the value, but not frandulentiy excessive; that the ship had a proper outfit; that she was uot destroyed in pursuance of a conspiracy entered into between her owner and mas ter; that the total insurance om ship,and cargo wae $82,800 in excess of the Valuation, and that false re- Presentations were made to the Baltimore com- le ct of the verdict is to render void erica wate by the Baltimore companies; bat is are exonerated from practising any fre Papon ether Baitimore or New York companies, Suits for the recovery ot the insurance are sti) pond ing against the New York companies,