The New York herald., 1870-03-19
THE GALLOWS s.
Execution Of Theodore Nichlas, at Little val
ley, Cattarnusus County, Ny.
History Of the Crime, Trial and Conviction-A
Life Ending on the Gallows at Nineteen
Years Of Age-Was the Criminal In
sane His Behavior and Demeanor-
Penitence at the Last Moment
Particulars Of the Execution.

LITTLE VALLEY, N. r., March H. lo'o'
To-day at little before two O'Clock IN The AFTER
noon under sunny, coudless SKY, with the rln2 OF
ae,gh bells and the chirping OF birds making the ar
musical. Theodore Nichas youth OF hnctcoh
years, OF smooth and handsome features strong
ana active bulld, met his death by banging IN the
jail yard OF this town.
HIS CRIME.
He murdered for money an old gentleman named
DR.. Andrew Mead, OF Allegheny, took over my do-
lars and watch from his person ana ned win the
plunder TO Bunalo. The murderer left no written
con ession put in verbal way mace various state
ments which were substantially TO the effect tnat he
was living bad life, was turned out OF doors bv
his parents, spent the few cents he had upon whts-
Key and resolved, by some hook or crook to raise
enough to carry him back to Buffalo. his
native place. He stepped over to Dr. Mead's
store and requested the old gentleman to lend
him two dollars. The loan was refused; Nichlas
grew angry and struck the Doctor with his nst. The
latter grasped q poker, the other seized fire
shovel, and struggle commenced. 1t was Of brief
duration. The old man. feeble with the weight OF
years succumped lrst blow OF MS assailant fell
back IN his arm chair, ana was beaten to death with
the shovel aud poker in the hands Of his murderer
who then rlned the dead mans clothes and decamped
for Buffalo.
HIS TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
The excitement in this county was immense A
reward offered, an acquaintance identi-
ned HIM, aud told the detectives, and he
was afterwards arrested. Nothing could have
been proved against him except for his own
singular want or .caution. The supposed watch OF
the murdered man was found In Q pawn
shop and brought to. the police station where
Nicnas was confined. He remarked one day while
tue watch was lying there that they mad got
hold OF the wrong one, and that he could
tell them which lie did where the right one was.
IL and a partial admission Of hia Huft
gentleman who visited him In prison that procured
his conviction OF the terrible deed which he pas
SINCE fully acknowledged. HIS family were poor
and very ignorant. He was unable 70 write, was
Deadstrong, vicious and depraved, detective In
ton between right and wrong. his head showed q
large development ol anlmal passions, with little
moral power to control them
WAS HE IN5ANEf
His brother-in-law states he generally became
insane once month-at the period OF full moon.
In tne jail OF Little Valley, where he lay for two
months, his manner serious and ludicr0us by
turns. man named Burdick convicted OF murder
at the same time as Nicholas. and sentenced to be
hanged on The same day. was companion ne treated
by turns with love and anger Blackening his
fellow prisoners eyes would be at one time his
favoriie occupation. while a. an0tner he lavish6d
upon MIN all Kinds Of caresses. Last evening look.
ing out the prison window he exclaimed, my God!
1t B SIX O'Clock, and few minutes more It will be
nine and then twelve. on how long am to live ?"
HIS conversation TINS morning was rambling, but
w as Of IKE ae
contradiction Ii the metaphor. II would like said
ne, turning 10 tne reporter standing Dy, TO read
your account OF this business after it Is over.n
HIS BEHAVIOR.
lie had an unimpaired appetite to the last. He 4
showed extraordinary indifference ana nonchalance
whLe the scaiY0la, which q most elaborate
structure, was being constructed. Having the
run OF the Jail yard, he was accustomed to 90 out
every day and inspect the progress Of the work,
marking occasionally on the strength Of the up
rights, ana lntmating that higher fall would be
Sheriff Cooper showed him every kindness in Ills
power THIS morning at nine O'Clock his father,
mother, brother and sister came 70 see him.
The interview was very affecting, and made those
present III an ofnclal capacity weep not little The
grief OF The mother for the loss OF her handsome
boy was trying to witness. 1t overcame the stold
feelings OF the son. and for the urst time he showed
q prostratlon or spirit
WITNESSES OF THE TRAGEDY.
Through the bright ana early mornIng sleghs Of
al kluds came from near and distant parts Of the
county, ana flied up the streets OF The little VII
and women, boys and glrls, made up the
crowd mat nocked 70 what was deemed
mitted within the jail enclosure above which the
scaloid lowered four or five feet Those who failed
TO gam admission spread themselves over the broad
expanse OF snow outside and got an Indifferent
glimpse OF the situation.
BROUGHT FORTH TO DIE
Echlas came forth near two O'Clock, leaning ON
the arms OF two deputy sherins. TWO Catholic
priests Fathers Bloomer and Serg, led the process
sion Snerln cooper and several county oficers FOL.
lowed the prisoner. When all were seated on the
spacious platform the death warrant was read.
Father serg delivered a brief exordium on saliva.
lowed, In which the prisoner quietly joined while
kneehng IN 'front.' OF chair Positions were then
altered; the prisoner stood up took seat in front OF
tue drop, and Father Serg approaching asked him II
he mad any remarks to make.
PENITENCE.
There was breathless anxiety TO learn the result,
for NIcblas had told his friends he intended make
speech. Tne kindly Old priest came forward near
the drop and said Nichla9 wished him to say, Ills
own emotion prevented him roms doing.so, that he
sorry Tor all bis offences, was resigned to his
fate, hoped for salvation and trusted his example
would be warning 10 all young people wDo despise
the advice OF their parents. Then came the great
moment OF au-ihe placing Of the rope the neck Of
the criminal.
FROM LIGHT TO NIGHT.
Nichas calmly rose, lifted his downcast head and
looked up With undaunted gaze and unshaken
nerve at the brilliant mocking sunbeams. Every
eye was on him, but not muscle OF his young lace
trembed. He stood erect, and when told TO step
upon the drop he did 30 with unfatering steadness;
then the signal was given. Men shut their eyes.
BEFORE
The bolt was drawn and Theodore Nichlas was left
dangling IN the air. after fall OF eight leet. Not
sign OF life was shown, save the beating OF the pulse
which ceased In ten minutes after. The fall broke
his neck, and II sent the black cap, which IN the
start was awkwredly adjusted, flying or his head
exposing face Of very sickening expression.
The execution, on the whole was admirably man.
aged, showing care experience and no want OF dig
nifty In the details. The body was cut down after
hanging forty minutes and given TO his family for
burial.