The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-08

0Ol0lcrs mat went from Lima TOOK cnarms win
them and not one OF them was killed or even struck
with a bullet.
KRPoRTsR-Then you were not afraid oil being
shot? E
BRENTLNaRs-No, sir they knew had charm,
and so they intended 10 Kin me with knives. Ihat
is The best ANYHOW. One night, sne said, they were
going to Kill me. You see am man that gets
very mad when am crossed-so mad never Know
ats, because She crossed me, and so help me God,
dou I remember what happened until was arrested
II is useless to follow this further The wretched
man was evidently slave to the most binding
superstition. Whatever mind he had was so be-
couded that it Is questionable whether he ever per-
ceiyed the truth, and no amount OF reasoning could
free him from the Authorizations OF which the above
conversation Is all Illustration.
Brentlinger's appearance indicated his low m en-.
tai type. He was short, thick. set, heavy Shout
lip and prominent chin, Indicating power unmfXed
with any ennooling qualities. Always STEPPED in
ignorance II was no wonder that he was ruled by
superstition, and that his brutal nature prompted
him TO murder In his fits OF madness and jealousy.
almost LOO horrible to be told. lie accused her Of
criminal intimacy with her own father, man by
me name OF Howtt, and Win his own Two brothers,
hallucinatons OF the same kind with his belief in
charms But so far as The other charges OF adul-
terry 60, especially the charge in connection with
man named Jacob Hall and his son Jesse, there
seems to be corroborave testimony, for the children
say the mother sometimes admitted II, though on
other OCCASIONS she Indignantly denied II. The most
charitable conclusion in the whole case is undoubt-
edly mat the unhappy man was out Of bis mind.
THE EXECUTION. ~
Andrew Brentnger was executed in the county
jail this place to-day by Sherir Copath, IN the
presence Of about thirty witnesses, including the
newspaper reporters. F -ss;;s'l 1f- w
The HERALD reporter was admitted to an inter-
view with Brentlinger last night, and found him
eating his supper He ate heartily and with relish.
ana then sat on the side OF the table and smoked his
pipe in very cool, unconcerned and commonplace
manner. He converscd in CHEEKY tone, and babe
manner. lie slept well last night and ate a hearty
breakfast TINS morning. = 49, -.
THE FATAL MORNING.
after nine O'Clock. Brentlinger was in ms cell en-.
gagged with his spiritual adviser, the Rev. Mr.. Bar
.'-is- THE scAFFoIp - .s'-;s-.~-.ts4.
The scaffold stood in the southwest corner OF the
cell room. IL Was simple platform, with single
trap approached by six or seven steps cross
beam overhead rested upon two strongly braced mp
rights. The rope dangled from az iron hook IN tue
0'''' y ''' IT TO TIE GALLONS. = X
In few minutes Brentlinger appeared between
the sheriff ana the minister. He was dressed in
PLAIN, common suit OF dark clothes. lie wore a
cean and rnddy lie
scaiold unassisted and sat upon chair In one cor
ner. The Sheriff occupied seat beside HIM, and
a few minutes prayers only interviewed between
taking his seat and the nna act. s:!@SSi
READING THE DEATH WARRANT =
Brentllnger Joined the minister IN repeating the
Lords prayer and sat down again to hear the death
warrant read by the sheriff. This form occupied
some minutes, during which Brentlinger sat with
his arms folded across his breast his legs crossed
and his eyes fixed upon the face Of the reader The
gaze WAS steady, III eApIesslOu anu ltll
OF apprehension. When the warrant was read the
Sheriff asked Brentlinger II ne had anything to say
SAID Brentlinger, IN clear, nrm voice, Il have
nothing to say" .~''% SIR
PLACING THE MOOSE. =, -
The Sheriff told him to stand up. The old man
arose with alacrity and was placed upon the trap.
Not muscle OF his face moved, but its color
deepened into warm glow. The expression
changed little, losing Its apprehensve look for
Sheriff now bound his arms to his sides above the
elbows, and his legs together above the knees and
placed the moose around his neck. This process was
carefully and exactly gone through. Then trying
Guilty of the easy passage OF the rope might exist,
the Knot was placed under and a. little behind the
S s sa Sna the sk &! " rope s hanging over
- THE BLACK CAP. ~'
The black cap was put on but not yet drawn
Bartholomew ~ inquired the sherr OF The MINIS.
ter who replied by inviting all present to join IN
during the staging, which occupied several minutes,
the Sheriff gave the support OF his shoulder 10 the
on account Of his firmly bound legs. - He stood with
his back TO the wall. The specta ors stood on the
to the upper tier OF cells In front OF him. and only
few feet distant. dim light only reached the grim
scene through the heavily grated loopholes In the
and an Understandable depression hung on every one
present The sweat was wiped from several brows,
teDsely excited company could be heard; at last the
singing DONE the sheriff drew the black cap over
the doomed mans eyes, shutting out the light Of
day forever, ana descended the platform. ~ :
THE TRAP FALLS.
Tic process OF the drop was hidden beneath the
scanold: but 1t simple bolt Withdrawn by
lever, to when piece OF rope was attached TO keep
the machinery in, place, and afford grasp for the
executioner The sheriff stationed himself beside
the platform, and looking at his watch. saId:-t is
now twenty minutes TO ten O'Clock, Mr. Brentlin-
ger; your hour has come. dull clap was heard,
and the BODY Of Andrew Brentlinger was seen dang
ling at the end OF the rope over SIX SIX feet below
the floor Of the scadod, and slowly turning round
and round with the slack OF the twisted hemp. In
lew seconds slight conyulsive shudder passed
through the stalwart Frame the hands, clasped IN
front, relaxed and iell apart. ;"
In eight minutes the pulse ceased to beat, and in
another minute the heart throbbed no more. The
body was cut down at ten CLOCK and placed in
black walnut coffin. When the black cap was re-
moved the features wore composed and natural
expression. The eyes and mouth were closed and
the neck was broken. The minister now announced
was sold to him. also the history OF his life which
would be duly published. The body he
would see decently inferred. THIS statement,
so unusual from the lips OF minister
was made on account Of rumor tnat the
body would be turned over for dissection,
which the minister his only surviving friend, was
determined 10 prevent during the execution:
the country surroundings the street In front OF the
jail was crowded with men, women and children,
all eager to catch glimpse OF the shocking spec
tacle although fully aware tnat even glimpse was
impossible, Tor numerous and heavily armed guard
surrounded the jail and prevented nearer APP
proach than hundred yards. AS soon as the news
OF the execution reached The people they very
success Of the first execution in Allen county, Ohio.