Chapter II: Part 2

O, may not such think they are innocent to take the life that God has given and forbid others to take it away--though we may flee to that law that was given to the Jews, which was bounded, inside the land of Canaan, imposed on no other people but the Jews, and those that dwelt in their land, and still we fail to support a case of conjecture, Deut. ii, viii, &c. Then, when we assent to take human life in a manner forbidden in this law even, do we consent that the law is not good, and which God gave? Certainly we do--and refuse to give it place in our hearts. But I forgive all.

I hope that all will seek for pardon at the hand of mercy, and hereafter be more careful to secure the rights of the innocent, and sure to detect the false testimony, guard themselves against prejudice, give reason its throne, and let justice find its place in every heart. I am glad this morning to tell all, my faith is unshaken; I have no doubt to enjoy a home in Heaven, again to reunite in singing praise to God in a more perfect world than this. Bless the Lord. So I bid a long farewell until we meet at the bar of God.

ENOS G. DUDLEY.

* * * * *

HAVERHILL, May 21, 1849.

Dear Brother and Sister Hoit:

I am about to leave you. I rejoice that I feel within the fullest assurance that I shall enjoy a far more desirable state of existence. I feel as calm to day and my mind as clear as when you last saw me at the school-house, endeavouring to exhort my fellow men to seek an interest in that Savior, that I have found so precious to _me_, during my soul-trying afflictions. The same gospel that I then preached I find sufficient for me in all my trials, notwithstanding their severity; and I doubt not that the same will sustain me until death shall close the terrific scene through which I am about to pass; yes! that same Jesus will go with and ever near me safely across the valley and shadow of Death. The blessed prospect that is before me smooths the roughness of the way. Bless God, I can say with Paul, “I am ready to be offered. I am glad my sorrows end so soon, then I shall enjoy the presence of Him that died to save us all, and of my dear companion who has gone before me.” I have often wondered how the martyrs could stand in the midst of flames and shout praises to the Most High. It is no longer a wonder. “Christ was with in them, the hope of glory.” And though I must die by the _gallows_, yet I am confident it will be the passport from this ungodly world, to one of bliss and beauty. Jesus has promised to stand by, if we will put our trust in him, I have found it so thus far, and have no reason to fear that his promises will not all be fulfilled.

* * * * *

A little more than one year since, I was torn from my home to which I had as good a right as any earthly being has to his home, and by false accusation I was shut out of the pale of society, and away from my children, who are as dear to me as ever children were to a father. By the circulation of these false reports the public mind has been prejudiced to so great an extent that I am condemned to die for that which I never did. Many of these reports were so completely false that they could not have been told but to injure me designedly and at that time it stirred bitter feelings within me, but they are all gone now; yes, now I love them, and I pray to God they may prepare to meet their murdered subject at the bar of Him who judgeth righteously. Thank God I am innocent of the crime for which I am condemned to die, and innocent shall I stand before that tribunal where conjecture and circumstance are not heard. But it is not so here, therefore must I leave you, and by your request I leave in your care that little girl. In tears I give her to you in all confidence that I leave her in the hands of those who will be parents to one whose father and mother can no longer guard her youthful years. Teach her to pray daily, and O, may God be with and bless you and her and together save you in heaven.

And now I bid you all--_farewell_.

Yours, in love,

ENOS G. DUDLEY.

* * * * *

Below is a copy of a note enclosed within the above and addressed to the little girl above mentioned.

HAVERHILL, May 22, 1849.

MY DEAR DAUGHTER ELIZABETH;--I can no longer be your FATHER nor provide for your wants in childhood, nor protect you from surrounding dangers therefore I have given you to your father and mother Hoit; they will be kind parents to you and you must be a good and dutiful child to them; always be obedient and good; love them, and improve your mind daily--and read the Bible with great care, you will there learn that God has said he will be a father to the fatherless; with Him your mother now lives, and soon I shall live with Him and her, where we shall die no more. Now, my dear, be a good child, and when you are in the field or in the house, ask God to bless you and save you in Heaven to dwell with your parents.

God loves little children, and you must love Him and ask Him to purify your little heart, and fit it for the kingdom. Always love the truth; be kind and loving to all your playmates, “do unto them as you would have them do unto you.” I should be glad to see you but I cannot; but if you are a good humble little Christian, you will soon come to me, so I must command you to God, praying you will ever trust in his grace and meet your parents in Heaven--there will be no more parting.

And now, my dear, I must bid you farewell, until we meet in heaven.

This is from your poor dying father--FAREWELL! it makes my heart ache to part with you, but oh! do well and it will be well with you when you leave this world. May God be with you, and comfort you all the time, and sanctify this afflicting dispensation to the spiritual good of your brothers and sisters, and finally may all dwell together at last at Christ’s right hand.

CONFESSION OF

MARY RUNKLE,

WHO WAS HUNG FOR MURDER.

Mrs. Mary Runkle was born in the town of Root, Montgomery Co. N. Y., and at the time of her execution was about fifty years of age. She was married to her late husband in her native town, and says she become jealous of him about a year after marriage, since which time a continual series of difficulties have occurred between them.

She acknowledges that she obtained goods upon a forged order, about ten years after her marriage, and says that it was her first crime.

Not long afterward a pedlar passed through the section where she resided, and sold goods on a credit of four or five weeks. Not appearing at the expiration of that time to make his collection, suspicions were aroused, and as the result of enquiry, the pedlar was traced as far as the house of Mr. Runkle, but no further trace of him could be obtained.

Her children, when spoken to about new dresses, said that their mother had plenty of such cloth, and having repeated the remark in their mother’s presence, were soon after found drowned in a tub of water--the depth being but a few inches. It is generally believed that she murdered the pedlar, and afterwards her own children, to prevent detection. This she denies.

One of the offences she acknowledges, is the robbing of a church in Fulton, of its cushions, &c. She was arrested, but evaded the law by a settlement. She has also been charged with poisoning her son, who, she says, died of the measles.

The circumstances of her husband’s death are yet fresh in the memory of our readers. He was found dead in the morning, when the neighbors were called, with bruises upon him, which afforded sufficient evidence of her guilt in the mind of the Court. She acknowledges a quarrel between them, but charges the blame upon him, and avers that she did not intend to murder him, but did so in defending herself from his assault. She gives the following version of the affair.

“The general health of my husband was not good; on or about the 20 of August, he procured four vials of medicine, and one fourth gallon of brandy; a portion of the brandy he applied externally. At tea time, he became furiously mad, venting his feelings upon me. I tried to quiet him, but all to no purpose; after tea, in his continued rage, he caught hold of my hair and pulled me over on the floor, continuing to kick and strike me, until I thought he would kill me. At length I got free from him, suggesting that I would call for assistance, he declaring that if I did so he would break my neck. At the proper hour he prepared to retire for the night, calling for some milk which was promptly furnished.

Within a very short time he took twice of the medicine, complaining that the milk was sour, he then took a large drink of brandy, and lay down, soon calling for the wash, which he applied to his neck. I found myself in much distress from the bruises inflicted upon me. While engaged in bathing my bruises he frequently called upon me to come to bed.

Near eleven or twelve o’clock, he called me up to get some drink. At his request I lay down with him; the first thing I was sensible of, I found him on my stomach, clinching me by my throat. A desperate fight ensued between us; I made every effort in my power to defend myself; while the struggle lasted, I struck him with such force that he fell over a chair. He beat me with such violence that I bled profusely at the nose.

After the fight was over, I helped him up and he sat down, calling for a dry shirt. There was a dry shirt hanging near him, which he procured himself, and partly put on. I then helped him to put on the other sleeve, after which he expressed a wish to lay down, as he was tired; he accordingly did so. I then lay down with him, soon after which I heard him make a strange noise. I immediately arose and procured a light, when, discovering froth on his lips, I directed my daughter to call in the neighbors, it being then about daylight.

I did not for one moment suppose that I should be suspected of the crime of murder, as I had no intention of terminating his existence. The representation that I made at the time, though not in strict consonance with my present statement, was prompted by no other motive, then that of suppressing his conduct from public gaze.”

A relation of the criminal, was present, to take charge of her body for her friends, who are said to be respectable.

THE EXECUTION.

Mrs. Mary Runkle was executed at the Jail in Whitesboro; The gallows was erected in the room over the Jailor’s office and consisted of a strong lever about fourteen feet in length the long arm of which eight feet in length, was held by a cord, and loaded with weights.

To the short arm was attached the hanging, which was extended down through the floor into the jailor’s office, the noose being attached to it.

During the day, up to the time of her execution, she lay almost motionless on her bed, her eyes half closed, and her right hand resting upon the bed-clothes on her bosom. Her fingers only moved slowly as if she was engaged in deep and unhappy thought. She spoke only whispers, and assisted some in dressing herself for the event.

She said she was prepared for death, having made peace with her Maker.

At two minutes past twelve o’clock she was carried down to the room assigned for the execution, and placed in the chair under the spot where the cord passed down.

Having been placed in this position, the jailor seated beside her, she rested her head upon his shoulder, while a feeling and appropriate prayer was made.

The sheriff then asked her,

“Mary Runkle, have you any word to say to this jury, to these people.”

To which she gave no answer.

The bell rang the cord was cut, and she was launched into eternity! Not a word, not a motion, but a very little heaving of the chest.

After hanging twenty minutes, her body was cut down, put in the coffin, and delivered to her friends.

Thus closed the earthly fate of Mary Runkle.

THE END.

Transcriber’s Notes:

Page 4: Changed “from which we principally quite so far as regards his career,” to “from which we principally quote so far as regards his career,”. Changed “He then secretly married a womao” to “He then secretly married a woman”. Changed “small estate af her own” to “small estate of her own”. Changed “situatod on the St’ John’s River” to “situated on the St. John’s River”.

Page 5: Changed “Mew York” to “New York”.

Page 7: Changed “came to tho room” to “came to the room”.

Page 10: Changed “of the illerate slave” to “of the illiterate slave”. Changed “secrted from public censure” to “secreted from public censure”. Changed “induce slave-dealers and other” to “induce slave dealers and others”.

Page 12: Changed “made his way to Texas, However” to “made his way to Texas. However” Changed “frightning the travellers’ horses” to “frightening frightning the travellers’ horses”. Changed “of his earthly existance” to “of his earthly existence”. Changed “beged a little time” to “begged a little time”.

Page 13: “An uncontrolable desire to leave home seized me,” changed to “An uncontrollable desire to leave home seized me,”. “I dispised my father’s counsel” changed to “I despised my father’s counsel”. Changed “what money watches” to “what money, watches”. Changed “when he fell, exclaming” to “when he fell, exclaiming”. Changed “persude her to elope” to “persuade her to elope”. Changed “house of ill repute called for a room” to “house of ill repute, called for a room”.

Page 14: Changed “I would desist, This” to “I would desist. This” Changed “led to the alter” to “led to the altar”. Changed “my heleish purpose” to “my hellish purpose”. Changed “if she sohuld recover” to “if she should recover”. Changed “Ann’s cruelty and attrocity” to “Ann’s cruelty and atrocity”. Changed “It happend to have one” to “It happened to have one”.

Page 17: Changed “where James was statined” to “where James was stationed”. Changed “where he was condemed” to “where he was condemned”.

Page 18: Changed “acts of the most blood thirsty” to “acts of the most blood-thirsty”. Changed “nothing now satifised her” to “nothing now satisfied her”. Changed “a lettr from his wife” to “a letter from his wife”. Changed “with disagreable dreams about him” to “with disagreeable dreams about him”. Changed “who said they talked with Mr. Morse, in Walter’s tavern” to “who said they talked with Mr. Morse, in Walters’ tavern”.

Page 19: Changed “make a private sarch” to “make a private search”. Changed “went again to make enquiery” to “went again to make enquiry”. Changed “the demensions of it” to “the dimensions of it”. Changed “with a warrant, She was taken” to “with a warrant. She was taken” Changed “of the above atocious crimes” to “of the above atrocious crimes”.

Page 20: Changed “by some private correspondant” to “by some private correspondent”. Changed “awful death, After the poison” to “awful death. After the poison” Changed “After these fits insanity” to “After these fits of insanity”. Changed “hersef in the most bitter manner” to “herself in the most bitter manner”.

Page 21: Changed “home, About two months afterwards” to “home. About two months afterwards” Changed “accessary to a great many others” to “accessory to a great many others”.

Page 22: Changed “interesting tn our readers” to “interesting to our readers”. Changed “crimes of the most henious” to “crimes of the most heinous”.

Page 23: Changed “kind but arbitary” to “kind but arbitrary”.

Page 25: Changed “Are you prepared!” to “Are you prepared?”.

Page 26: Changed “thrown from existance” to “thrown from existence”.

Page 27: Changed “Deut. 17 ii., viii. &c” to “Deut. 17 ii., viii. &c.”. Changed “of such an acheivement” to “of such an achievement”. Changed “fordidden in this law” to “forbidden in this law”. Changed “give reason its thorne” to “give reason its throne”. Changed “my mind as clear sa” to “my mind as clear as”.

Page 28: Changed “the terriffic scene” to “the terrific scene”. Changed “my sorrws end so soon” to “my sorrows end so soon”. Changed “could sand in the middle” to “could stand in the middle”. Changed “condemed to die” to “condemned to die”. Changed “who judgeth righteously, Thank God” to “who judgeth righteously. Thank God” Changed “girl, In tears” to “girl. In tears”.

Page 29: Changed “May 22 1849” to “May 22, 1849”. 5 lines that were printed upside down were transcribed right-side up. Changed “yon will soon come” to “you will soon come”. Changed “until we meet in heaven” to “until we meet in heaven.”

Page 30: Changed “about a year after marrige” to “about a year after marriage”. Changed “suspicions ware aroused” to “suspicions were aroused”.

Page 31: Changed “health of my hsband” to “health of my husband”. Changed “he declaing that if I” to “he declaring that if I”. Changed “being about daylight” to “being about daylight.” Changed “for one moment suspose” to “for one moment suppose”. Changed “relation of the crrminal” to “relation of the criminal”.

Page 32: Changed “into the jailors office” to “into the jailor’s office”. Changed “peace with her Maker” to “peace with her Maker.”

Unbalanced quotation marks were remedied when the change was obvious, and otherwise left unbalanced.