The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1870-03-17
THE LAST SCENE OF THE HUNT
ENGD0N MURDER.
Execution of Bohner and Bodenburs

On Wednesday. last the murIerers Of
the Peightal family suffered the ex-
treme penalty of the law at Hunting
don. The following particulars of the
execution we gather from the Gi06e:-
The day Of the execution was ushered
in by bright and golden sun, and
early in the morning the streets were
filled by thrOng of people, anxiously
awaiting the hour when the prisoners
would be sent by the last resort of the
law into eternity. Many thought
was had for the prisoners, and even
the boldest hearted must have felt a
nervous quiver as he contemplated the
scene that was to be enacted to-day.
All the Preparations for the execu-
ton bad been made in due time The
scaffold was erected in the rear Of the
Jail, and was twenty-three feet
high. The platform around the
scaffold was about thirteen feet from
the ground, and reached by steps. The
trap doors swing to each side, and adj
nit of a width when open of two and
half feet. The rope was Of the best
emp.
Around the Jail wall and short dis
tance from it, there were a number IF
platforms erected to such height, by
private citizens, as to afford full view
of the whole progress of the execu-
tion.
We entered the cell about $50 o'clock
and found Bohner lying on his bed
smoking cigar and reading Ger
man Bible, as unc0ncerned as a man
well could be. Bodenburg was lean
ing against his cell door, looking very
much depressed in spirits and occa-
siOnal;y pacing his cell in very un-
easy manner. Ats O'Clock the cell
doors were closed to all but the minis
tiers and spiritual advisers.
BOhner was up TO late hour last
night, laughing and talking to those
in the cell, and smoking cigars given
him by those present. Bodenburg was
restless and uneasy, walking his cell
and occasionally consulting his spirit
ual advisers. He did not sleep any,
but Bohner laid down at one O'Clock
and slept about Two hours. Both ate
a hearty breakfast this morning,
THE EXECUTION.
Preparatory TO bringing the prison,
ers from the cell, their hobbies and
manacies were removed, at quarter
past-tweIve, and their arms pinioned.
At twenty-five minutes after twelve
they were brought from the cell. The
prisoners were taken on TO the scallOld,
having to go up fight of fifteen
steps. Neither of them showed any
emotion of fear, and remained silent
while tie sheriff bound their feet. On
the scaiioId near the prisoners were
Sheriff Neely, Revs. Steckel, Sykes,
AMI Jas. G. Clarke, and Deputies Fouse
and Weaver.
When their feet had been bound,
Rev. j. Sykes, OF Martinsburg, Blair
county, delivered short prayer in
German,
Bodenburg then produced and read
in German, in q clear and distinct tone,
paper in which he appealed to Bohn-
er to tell the truth about the murder
and exculpate him tBohner) from any
participation In the killing. Boden-
burg had previously made confession
in which he charged Bonner with hav-
ing shot all three Of the victims.
AT the conclusion of the reading
Bonner replied TO B0denburg eve
have both been in. We are both gull
ty of death"
Bodenburg replied, Shame on you;
shame on you, you know that / killed
nome"
Rev. Jas. c, Clarke, Of this place,
then delivered :. short prayer, beseech-
ing Heaven TO have mercy on the souls
of the criminals,
The rope was attached by the Sher
iff to the necks of the prisoners at quar-
ter of o'clock. The ministers then
bade them each farewell, after which
Rodenburg offered up the following