Coy's tavern. Here I tarried until late at night, awaiting his return; but he did not come. I first took my stand behind a root, and then, for my better accommodation, behind a large pine tree, and had he come I surely would have shot him. While I. here stood I had some reflections; the sweet evening breeze gently pressed the lofty forest, and the tall pines could bend beneath the power of Heaven-but my obdurate heart remained unmoved. 'The next day I went to Angelica, and there I saw Mr. Church and I felt very glad he had escaped. After reflecting on the subject and getting no satisfaction, I fixed my eye on him again, and I could not spare him. Accordingly in December I watched the state of the snow that I might not be tracked, and on the 29th I thought the thing was ripe. In the afternoon, I loaded the rifle, and placed it in a bedroom where no person slept, and where I could reach it from the window if occasion should require. I then rode to Angelica, four miles east; Mr. Church lived about six miles west of my house; I put my horse up at Sherman's tavern, and fed it. I was about the village until after 10 o'clock that night. At Mr. Dautrement's I drank considerable brandy and calculated to take as much as I could and do business regular. I then rode home, stopped at the barn opposite my house, and dismounted, and had serious reflections on the course I was pursuing. After a considerable pause I resolved to go, for I never allowed myself to give back in any undertaking. I then went to the bedroom window, and took out the gun; no one of my family knew it, and road a smart trot to Church's. I hitched my beast near Mr. Spear's shop-took out my knife and rubbed my flint that it might not miss fire. I took the mitten from my right hand, and put it in my pocket. I was careful not to drop anything whereby I might be detected. I then stepped to his kitchen door, which opened near the head of his bed, and stood five or six minutes on his door stone. All creation seemed locked in slumber, and one dread silence reigned through all the works of God. Now my bold heart even trembled at the thought of an act so desperate, and every vibration of my soul seemed shrinking beneath the horrors of the scene. I rapped at his door and shuddered at the very noise I made; and was on the very point of retiring, when his wife, I think, awoke him, and he exclaimed, "Who is there?" I endeavored to alter my voice, and answered, "I have a letter for you;" he then said, "walk in." I answered, "have the goodness to open the door and take it." He arose and as he opened the door, as soon as I saw the appearance of his white shirt, I shot at venture. I took no sight and had the gun by my side. I think the muzzle was not more than three or four feet from him. I then heard him exclaim, "Oh! my God, my God!" I heard no more of him. I then returned to my beast, and every step was marked with care, lest I should fall or lose something, as it was slippery. The shocking cries and shrieks of the family broke the midnight silence, and rent the air with horror, which I heard a considerable distance. I then rode with great speed home. I dismounted and loaded my gun in haste and set into the window whence I had taken it; then I put out my beast, went to bed and went asleep. Before day the neighbors of Mr. Church called on me, and informed me he was murdered in his own house.' March 19. David D. How, in accordance with the sentence of February 6th, was hanged today. |