The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-16
FROM EUROPE.
EXECUTION OF FRANZ MULLER.
SCENES AT THE GALLOWS.
One Hundred Thousand Persons
Present.
BEHAVIOR OPTHE CONDEMNED MAN
The Murder of Briggs Confessed
by Muller.

The London papers of November Is
contain the particulars of the execution Of
Franz Muller
Muller was hanged in front Of Newgste
Jail, in London, on Monday morning, No
yember IA. At the last moment he con-
fessed the murder of Mr.. Briggs.
An immense number of spectators, esti-
mated at not less than one hundred thou
sand persons, assembled to witness the ex-
ecution. The occupants of "cheap seats"
and "good accommodation were parti-
cularly numerous. The windows of the
several houses in front of the drop were
well filled, while numbers were sitting on
the roofs. Preachers of various scots were
scattered about, and worked with consid-
cradle zeal in the distribution Of tracts. In
one part three.jointed fishing rod was
employed, to which was attached scroll
with the inscription, "Be sure your sins
will find you out; and in another instance
a party of men were stationed, one of
whom held up walking stick with text
attached, whilst the others discoursed on
scriptural subjects and took part in read.
ing and singing hymns. Another man,
more conspicuous than the rest, was work.
ing his way through the crowd, with bill
placed before him as en- apron, calling at
tention to the publication of pamphlet is
sued by the City Gospel Hall, and called
"Sheuld Murderers be put to Death ?"
There were great many foreigners pres
ent, and to them selections from the New
Testament, printed in the German and
other continental languages, were pre-
sented. ..-
The following account of the closing
scene is from the Times:
GOING TO THE GALLONS.
The sheriffs and the Governor Of New
gate and other authorities entered the Jail
at O'Clock on the morning of Monday.
Pausing for few moments in the open
court yard, they awaited the coming of
the convict. A side door was opened and
Muller presented himself, attended by
warder. He was pale, but marvelously
calm and collected, and he walked briskly
across the court yard to the press room,
followed by the authorities There he
was pinioned by the executiOner, and I'M
derwent the ordeal with mistaken courage.
While all about were visibly touched, not
muscle in his face moved, and he showed
no sign of emotion. He was docile
withal, and respectful in his demeanOr.
Again and again Doctor Oappel ap-
preached him and sought to sustain him
by the use of encouraging words. The
convict repeating the words after the rev.
erend gentleman, repeatedly said, in Ger
man, "Christ the Lamb of God, have
mercy on me-" The process Of pinioning
over, Jonas, the governor, asked the con-
vict to take seat which he declined, and
remained standing until the prison bell be-
gan to toll which was to summon him to
the scaffold. As he remained in that at
titude, one could not help being struck
with the remarkable appearance of physi-
cal strength which his figure denoted, and
still more by his indomitable fortitude.
Though short in statute, he was compactly
and symmetrically made, and these were
very 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 was dressed with
remarkable neatness.
ON THE GALLOws.
When the executiOner was removing his
necktie and shirt collar, in arranging
which much are appeared to have been
bestowed, tn. ,,avict held up his head to
allow of MS dong it with much more ease
This was about the last of the prepara-
tons. 4 signal was given by the govern
or, and the Rev MIR. Davis, the ordinary,
led the way to the scatfold, reading, as he
did so, some of the preliminary verses OF
the burial service. He was followed by
the convict and the Rev. DR.. Capped, and
as he did 80 the multitude, on his being
confronted with them, raised a mighty
and indescribable hum. At this moment
the sun shone brightly, though rain had
fallen more or less during the night.
THE, CONFESSION AND THE EXECUTION.
After the convict had been placed upon
the drop, aud the rope adjusted around
his neck, DR.. Cappel, addressing him witt
great animation and solemnity, said, " II
a few moments, Muller, you will stand be-
fore God; I ask you again, and for the
last time, are you guilty or innocent?
He replied, 81 am innocent" Dr. Cap
pei said, "You are innocent ?" repeating
his own words in the form of question
Ill - =
what have done" DR.. Capped" Goo
Almighty knows what you have done /!
again repeating the convict's own words
"does God know that you have done thi
particular deed?" Muller replied, +" Yes
l have done it," speaking in German, il
which language the whole conversation
was conducted. The German expression
used by the convict was "Ich habe es &C.
than )" and these were his last words
The drop fell, and he soon ceased to live