The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-06-19
fFrom the N. Y. World, June 81
Hanging of Anton PrObSt for the
Murder of the Deering Family.
SCENES I'm THE JAIL YARD.

SEEN rs hN 1EtsI JAIL hAAADs
Yesterday at a quarter Of eleven o'clock,
Anton Probst. the fend in human shape,
who coolly murdered the Deering, family,
paid the penalty of his crime in the Jail
yard at Philadelphia.
PREPARING FOR EXECUTION.
The Sheriff, wishing to accommodate
the prisoner in his desire for an early ex-
e%cution, soon sent word to the cell of the
condemned man that he was ready. The
clergyman returned an answer that they
were quite prepared; and thereupon, the
Sheriff visited the cell, in company with
one or two others. Probst appeared to
have been deeply engaged in religious de-
%votion, He tightly pressed in both hands
a cruci6x, and seemed unmoved as the
officers approached him. The Sheriff
then addressed Probst about as follows:
canton, I am here for the purpose Of
performing the unpleasant duty of exc
cutting the punishment which the law has
imposed for the offense of which you have
been convicted. Your excellent religious
advisers inform me that you are quite
ready"
Probst quietly and gently said: "That
is So"
AS the clergyman had requested that
the prisoners arms should not be pinion-
ed, in order that be could carry a crucifx
in his hands to the scafold, the sheriff
made no objection. In fact he had pre-
viously determined not to handcuf the
culprit behind his back, and so Probst
walked to the gallows with his arms free,
something very unusual in executions
He was attired in a coarse muslin shirt, a
pair of prison pants, and a pair of bro
gans, wearing neither coat, vest, or sus-
penders.
II PROCESSION.
The procession marched in the follow
ing order:
The Sheriff.
Superintendent of the Prison.
Rev. Father Grundner.
ANTON PRoBsT.
Rev. Father Carbon.
Attorney of Prisoner.
Physician to the Prison.
Sherif's Solicitor
and
Assistant Solicitor.
Sherif's Jury.
Representatives of the Press.
Officers of the Prison.
Deputy Sherifs.
During the march, the clergy exhorted
Probst, who manifested no signs of fear,
but tightly grasped the crucifx, pressing
it to his lips, and showed every sign of
preparation. He walked with a firm step,
but there was no evidence of brayado in
his demeanor.
THE GALLONS
had been used on several similar occa-
sions. Longfeldt, the Skupinski broth
ers, Arthur Spring-another horrible
butcher-Peter Mattocks and Thomas j.
Armstrong had previously paid the pen
atty of the law upon il. 1t is not an in
strument such as is used in New York,
but the old fashioned drop arrangement,
which a great many experienced people
hold to be more effective. The support
ing prop is quietly and quickly knocked
away, and the victim falls a distance of
three or four feet, thus rendering disloca-
ton of the neck quite sure. 1t was cree
ted in the extreme northwestern part of
the yard of the prison. Sheriff Howell
chose this locolity for it in order to pre-
vent the prisoners in the cells from wit
Messing the execution, and also to shut it
out from view from surrounding eleva-
tions.
THE EXECUTION.
The procession soon reached the place
of death, Probst all the while maintain
ing the same gravity Of demeanor that
had characterized his conduct for the past
few days. The sight of the gallows did
not unnerve him; indeed, it seemed to af-
feet some of the spectators more deeply
than the criminal. He walked up the
ladder with a firm step ,paying little or no
attention to those around him, or to any
body, in fact, except his religious advi-
sers. Only once, during the ceremony
had his mind, apparently, wandered to
other things. As he was leaving his cell,
the keeper who had mainly taken charge
of him extended his hand, and said,
"Good bye;;' Probst responded "Good
bye" while his voice choked with emo
ton, and tears filled his eyes. Regaining
his wonted composure, he maintained it
thereafter to the end.
Probst was accompanied on the scaffold
by his clergymen, the sheriff, aud Mr..
Perkins. Without hesitation, he knelt
upon the drop with the priests, and to-
gether they recited the acts of faith hope,
charity and contritlon; the Lords prayer,
the Hail Mary, and the Apostles creed
in the German language, the victim re-
peatedly kissing the crueifx.
The last act was alone to be performed,
and the tragedy was over. Quickly
iProbst was handcuffed, and the moose
placed around his neck. Not a murmur
escaped his lips, and his eyes barely suf-
fused with tears were turned to Heaven.
The white cap was then placed upon
his head, but he still stood firm; there
was no trembling, and but the least agita-
ton. Courageously had the culprit pre-
pared to meet his fate.
But a moment more and the murdered
behring's would be avenged SO far as mans
laws could agenge them. A last prayer
from Father Grundner, a signal. the diop
fell, and canton Probst had gone to his
last account.