The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-04
The Execution or Bla,se skupinski.

PHILApELPHA, Dec. 8, 1852.
The dreadful sentence Of the law this morning put
into execution upon person of Baise Skupinsk ths
last of the two Polish brothers convicted OF murder.
ing Jacob Lehman, the jeweler boy, in Richmond last
winter.
The criminal has been attended for week two past
by the Rev stanislaus Parezysky Polish priest special
y dsputed by the Bishop to assist the Rev. Celesin viii
lem, who has bestowed much of his time and services
upon the spiritual welfare Of the prisoner since the
cution OF Matthias
During Thursday, and the following night the prisoner
was calm and composed taking his usual sleep. He eat
but little. but INDUCED much in smoking.
The priests with the prisoner from eaLy In the
morning until he left the cell for the gaows What dis
closures were made Of unknown the oanons
of the church orbddng the priest disclosing the secrets
of the confessional
About half past eleven O'Clock the Sheriff accompanied
by Marshal Keyser, Messrs Fletcher Crowel two of
the prison inspectors and Henri Roniestze acting
terpreter, entered the condemned oell
The prisoner received them cordially and his face be-
came flushed, his indicating for the moment an
expectation that they had to inform him of another
respite, or pardon from the Governor. This hope was
suddenly extnguhed on the cord being produced with
which to pinon his arms. palor spread over his face
followed by trembling and cold sweat and he was so
overcome that he eat down upon chair while the Sheriff
hind him
Everything being now prepared the condemned man,
accompanied by his spiritual advisers left the cell aud
walked down the stairway the lower floor The officials
and others, Who either from duty chance were pre-.
sent had been previously formed in procession and on
the appearance OF the prisoner and his attendants they
commenced their sad march In the following
order = Mr. Freed, the superintendent Of the
prison the prisoner, supported by the priests Sheriff
Immediately the of the prisoner walked the ex
ecutioner man disguised in suit Of prison clothing
a feCtu alaHb him,
from recognition.
The mbers Of the sheri's jury followed the Sheriff.
The police board next with the reporters Of the
press and the special deputies f the Sheriff brought up
OF the southern wing Of the prison buildings the soem
nifty of the increased by those in the
uncoveBg as the priests murmuled the prayers suited
The prisoner mounted the steps to the platform with
out falteiipg He was accompanied by Sheriff Allen,
Mar hal Keyser, the Rev. Messrs Ceestin Wilem and
stanislaus Parezysky and Henry Ronietze the trans
lstor.
The priests dispensed with the services usual upon the
eallows having through with them prior to leaving
the cell The priests then spoke to the prisoner his
native tongue saying Here you stand between heaven
and hell you have any declaration to make say now
II can do you neither harm good He kr elt down
ard exclaimed ~ die innocent am prepared to die.
judged me right or wrong, forgive them
Mr. Roniestne thu interrosated skupinski f0lows-
"Dd you participate in the murder?n
The answer, y returned
His Questoner then asked, Did you not know that
Matthias, with Kutkowski intended to kill the boy!'
skupnsk hestated and on the qua IN being repeat
ed he .ad Il have nothing here to sayI reconcil.d
TO my God and prepared to die {"
The condemned then desired that Mr. Freed should be
called the PLATFORM and parted with him affection.
atsly returning thanks for kindnesses bestowed The
eyecutioner then ed the platform adjusted the
rope about the neck Of the condemned man.
Before leaving him the priests gave the unhappy
rosary placed crucix in the breast of his coat, and
'prinkled him with holy water from a bottle
The cap having been placed over his face he told Mr.
Roneszs to return thanks to Mr. Fletcher for the many
oblig gatiops conferred upon him
Every on having left the scatold the props
moved and at thirteen minutes of the drop fell
the victim hurg Suspended bet heaven and earth
solemn ppeotscle.
The rope did not give fall sufficient to break his neck
ana for the rst two three minutes his struggles
dreadful 10 behold At time the poor wretch raised
one hand level with his head fingers being raised
from his grasp.
Life appeared to be extinct In about six minutes
though scme slight muscular movement subsequent
observed.
After hanging about half hour the body was cut
down and placed in the possession OF the officers of the
prison The regular ormalities by the sheriff jury having
been gone through with
Drs Wall and Burden physicians OF the prison, were
In sttcndapoe, as was also DIR Troubst
The spectators present about two hundred in
bsr but the whole proceedings conducted with q
commendable degree OF soiemnity and decorum.