{"newspaper_name": "Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
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in your behalf, and the horrid nature of
your offence puts to silence those who arc
conscientiously opposed to the inhuman
punishment you are about to suffer, and
makes them almost regard your case as a
proper exception to the milder rule which
they would fain substitute for that now
about TO be enforced. Look therefore for
mercy only to Heaven. Expect pardon
from none but your God. In the silence
of your prison, with speedy and cruel
death staring you in the face, repent Of
your misdeeds and do all that still remains
in you to atone for them, and mercy and
pardon will not be sought from these
sources in vain.


In the discharge Of the solemn duty
which is now imposed upon me, / feel al
most overwhelmed with awe, as became
one Of the instruments by which the lives
Of two human beings are about to be ex-
tinguished-for life, how much socver it
may have been perverted from its original
purpose, is still an emanation from the Di-
vinity. But as the irresponsible organ Of
that law which requires your death, / here
pronounce its final sentence-I direct that
you William Hodges and Stephen Hodges,
be taken from this place to the Jail of the
County Of Des Moines, there to remain


until Tuesday, the 18th day Of July next,
that on that day you be taken BY the pro-
per officers Of this County to some convcn-
lent place within the same, and there, be-
tween the hours Of 10 o. clock A. M and 4
o'clock p. M. that you be hung by the neck
uutil you are dead; and May God have
mercy upon you.