The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-04-08
THE GALLOWS.
Execution OF Brentlinger, the Wife
Murderer-An Account Of the MUIR.

ucr.
LIMA, O., April To-day the career
Of the perpetrator Of one Of the most
horrible murders in the State Of Ohio
was terminated by death on the scaffold,
of Andrew Brentlinger, who, on the
oath of last October, murdered, near
here, in cold blood his wife, Sarah
Brentlinger, for the alleged reason that
she was on criminal intercourse with
other men. About 10 o'clock on the
day the crime was committed Brent.
linger and his wife had some words in
regard to her infdelity. The words
finally led to a quarrel, and he dragged
her from the house and commenced the
work of death by stabbing her with a
pecket-knife and then with large dirk
knife, which he compelled one Of the
children to bring him from the house.
The wife implored him for mercy, yet
the enraged man, with the desperation
of fiend, plunged the knife again and
again into the PROSTATE form Of his
wife. Having satisfied his blood
thirsty desire, he then placed his chill
dren under ban Of secrecy, and leaping
upon horse fled from the scene.
Four or five days afterwards the
children informed OF the murder. The
body was exhumed, a post mortem ex-
animation held, and immediate steps
taken for the murderers arrest, which
was effected shortly afterward. He
was tried in December, convicted OF
murder in the first degree, and reprieved
until this date, when, according to SEN
tence, he was executed.
At 1 o'clock this morning he was
awakened by the Sheriff, who bid him
arise and prepare for his fate. He re-
sponded that he would in few minutes,
and turned over and again fell asleep.
He was called the second time by the
Sheriff at 5 o'clock, when he arose and
was very talkative and agreeable to
those around him. At 9:52, accom-
panied by Sheriff Goliath and Revs
Bartholomew and Walkup, he left his
cell with firm step, marched through
the corridors and ascended the scaffold
and took a seat on a chair set apart for
him, the three former gentlemen stand
ing Religious services were again
offered by Mr. Bartholomew, when he
took leave of Brentlinger and descended
the steps. The Sheriff then said to
him, Brentlnger, have you anything
to say?' His reply, distinctly
uttered, was, 81 haven't anything
to say" The moose was then
adjusted and the black cap drawn over
his face by the sheriff, when, at the re-
quest Of Brentlinger, the hymn
"An that was-my sin, my guilt, my
death,
Was all my own,
was sung, at the conclusion Of which
the Sheriff took a position in front of
the scaffold on the ground floor, and
with his right hand took hold OF the
end Of the rope connected with the
lever, and with his left hand drew forth
his watch saying, Gentlemen, it is
now 20 minutes after 10 o'clock" At
the same instant the line was pulled
and Breutlinger was launched into
eternity, the body falling with heavy
thud. Two or three perceptible ;erks
Of the arms and legs were observed; at
1928 the pulse ceased to beat, and at
1929 the heart had ceased. Drs.
Baxter and Neff, attending physicians,
made an examination Of the BODY and
pronounced the neck broken.
Thus ended the first hanging in Allen
county, Ohio.