Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-05
HEMAKEs a CONFESSION

and fro, while the windows, especially
those in the immediate neighborhoOd of
the prison, became filed with occupants.
Shortly before four o'clock the rumbling
vas heard in the press yard, which indi-
Gated that the machinery for the execution
was on the move. ts5- a eat 81 aes7
All eyes were turned TO the gates from
which the huge black boxwas tocome. In
moment II appeared, drawn by two hor-
see. The foundation of the gallows was
soon got into its place. when an. unearthly
yell such IS is only. heard at the foot Of the
gibbet, was RAISED. As each stage was
completed, in fitting up the apparatus
there was cheer, or 8 yell, or groan, or
mingling of the three. Although the
ixing of the scsffold was completed by four
O'Clock, still the clalg of hammers in put
ling up barriers continued till day had
daWned. At i've O'clock, heavy drench-
ing rain set in, which had the effect Of dri-
wing the majority Of those who during the
night had taken up positions from their
,Lrongholds, and TO hastily beat retreat to
she now open public houses and coffee
shops, as well as other places offering any
thing like shelter. At this time there could
not have been more than 500 people se-
,uslly upon the scene. But at six o'clock
the rain sbated, and from this time the
crowd was recruited by an increasing Aow
Of new corners. 1t is estimated that at the
hour fixed for the execution not fewer than
100000 people had assembled.
THE SCENE UNDER THE eALLows.
The Times thus describes the scene at
Newgste:
None but those who looked down upon
the awful crowd Of Monday will eyer be-
iieve in the wholesale, open, broadcast man
ner in which garroting and highway rob
berry were carried on. We do not now
speak of those whom the mtre wanton
mischief the crowd led TO " bonnet" as they
passed, or else to pluck their hats off their
heads and throw them over the mob amid
roars and shouts of laughter, as they came
from al sides and went in all directions,
till sometimes even they fell within the en-
closure round the droT, and were kicked
under the gallows by the police. The pro-
priety Of such an amusement at such a
lime admits Of question, TO any the least,
svsn among such an audience. But even
this rough play falls into harmlessness be-
side the open robbery and violence which
yesterday morning had its way virtually
unchecked in Newgste street.
There were regular gangs, not SO much IN
the crowd itsell within the barriers as
along the avenues which led to them, and
these vagrsnts openly stopped, 'bonneted,
sometimes gsrroted and always plundered
any person whose dress led them to think
MIN worth the trouble; the risk was moth
ing. Sometimes their victims made des-
perate resistance, and for few minutes
sept the crowd around them violently
swsying to and fro amid tia fearful uproar
In no instance, however, could we sscer-
tain that Police was ever called. In
deed, one Of the solitary instances in which
n y interfered at all was where their sid
was sought from some fouses, the Occu-
pants of which saw an old farmer, who
after long and gallant struggle with his
many asssilsnts, seemed, after having been
robbed, to be in danger of serious injury
as well. This, however, about the farmer
Is mere episode; the rule was such rob-
bing and i'll treatment as made the victims
only too glad TO fly far from thespot where
they had suffered it, and who, if even then
they ventured on giving any information
to the police, could hope for no redress in
such q crowd. Such were the open pas
limes Of The mob from daylight till near
The time Of execution, when the great
space sronnd the prisol seemed choked
with its vast multitude"
80 THE HANGING.
Shortly before eight o'clock the sherifs
and under sheIifs, with Mr.. Jonas, the
governor Of Newgste, and Mr. Gibson, the
prison surgeon, proceeded from the session.
mouse to the Jail. PaDsing for few mo
ments in sn open courtyard, they awaited
he coming Of the convict. A side door
was opened, and Muller presented himself,
attended by wsrder. He was pale, but
marvelously oslm and collected, and he
walked briskiy across the courtyard to
the press-roonn, followed by the authorities.
There he was pinioned by the eIecutioner,
and underwent the ordeal with mistaken
courage While all about him were visi-
bly touched, not muscle in his face NOV
ed, and he showed no sign of emotion.
He was docile withal, and respectful in his
demeanor. Again and again DR.. Csppel
approached him and sought to sustain him
by the use Of encouraging words. The
convict, repeating the words after the
reverend gentleman, repeatedly said, in
German, "Ohrist, the Lamb of God, have
mercy upon me- mr. iT 90
The process of pinioning over, Mr..
Jonas, the governor, ssked the convict TO
take seal, which he deeliued, and re-
mained standing until the prison bell BE-
gan to toll which was to summer him TO
the s0afOld. As he remained in that stti-
tude, one could not help being struck with
the remarkable appearance of physical
strength which his figure denoted, and
.iill more by his indomita5le fortitude.
Though short in stature, he was compactiy
and symmetrically made, and there were
striking indications Of vigor about his
chest, arms, hands, and the back part of
his neck in particular His clothes were
well made, and he nwas dressed with re-
marka5le neatnesa.o When the execution
er was removing his necktie and shirt col
lar; in arranging which much care appear
ed - have been taken, the convict held up
his hesd 10 allow Of his doing il with more
esse. This wss about the last of the prep
srations5 A signal was given by the gov
erncr, and the Rev. Mr.. Davis, the ordi-
nary, led the way 70 the seafold, reading,
As he did so, some of the preliminary verses
of the burial service. He was followed by
the convict and the Rev DIR. Cappel, and
then by the sherids and under-sherifs.
He assembled the seaffold with a firm step,
accompanied by Dr. Cappel, and as he
did so the. multitude, on his 1being con-
frcn ted with them, raised mighty and
indescribable hum. At this moment the
sun shone brightly, though rain bsd fall
en- more or leps all through the night
After the convict had been placed upon
the drop, end the rope adjusted round his
neck, Dr. Cappel, addressing him with
great animation and solemnity, said {" In
4 few moments, Muller, you viii stand be-
fore Ged; 1 asE you again for the last
time, are you guilty or innocent 2" Hero
fpfied II am innocent !" DR.. Csppel
! said tYou sre iunocent2" repeating his