Hiram Smith
Hiram Smith was hanged in the jail yard at Watertown, New York, on December 4, 1874, after the governor declined to intervene at the last moment. He maintained his innocence from the start, and on the gallows he called God to witness that he was innocent, the River Falls Journal reported. The paper reported that the evidence against him was largely circumstantial. He was said to have eaten and slept well up to the end, and the Rev. J. W. Rubnam, his spiritual adviser, spent the morning with him.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. He denied guilt from the start and, on the gallows, called God to witness his innocence, according to the article, which says the evidence against him was largely circumstantial.
Reported by: Watertown, New York newspaper account (reporters).