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James Monks
The second execution which occurred in Bellefonte was that of James Monks of Potter township, who was charged with the murder of Reuben Guild. He was convicted at the November term of court 1818.
Information about the crime comes from Monks' confession, written in jail while awaiting execution. It appears that the murder, which took place on the evening of Sunday, November 18, 1817, was completely unprovoked.
Monks was returning to his home on Marsh Creek, Howard township, from Clearfield, and met Guild, who was mounted on a horse, along a lonely stretch of the road. The two men exchanged a few words and proceeded a short distance, an uncontrollable desire came upon Monks, who was armed with a gun. He turned back and apparently "powerless to resist the impulse", raised his gun and shot Guild. Giuld uttered a shriek and fell from his horse. As Monks approached him, Guild said, "My friend you have killed me." Monks, sensing the single shot was insufficient, struck Guild twice on the head with a tomahawk he was carrying.
After disposing of tracks and other signs of the crime, Monks mounted Guild's horse and continued on his way. As fate would have it, in his hurry to get away, and being considerably drunk, he dropped his song book at the murder scene. The book was discovered by the sheriff and eventually led to his arrest.
Monks was hung on Saturday, January 23, 1819, by John Mitchell, Esq., then high sheriff. William Armor, a fifer of the War of 1812, played the "Dead March" under his scaffold.
Sources:
Bellefonte Republican
Democratic Watchman
Weekly Keystone Gazette
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