Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-01-23

thereup0E Tor the time In the WhlHl OF
dissipation in Hamburg,
where her extraordinary beauty at
tracted numerous admirers. But, be-
coming very reckless, the police
expelled her from the city, and
she went to Bru7swick, where an
officer of the Ducal army fell
in love with and eventually married
her. She returned his devotions by
poisoning him short time afterward.
She next turned up in Hanover, where
she became acquainted with mer-
chant named Wachter, who married
her. Wilhelmina yevenged herself
upon the opposing parents by poisoning
them. The cholera ragged at this time,
and, in consequence, it remained . &c
cret for years Wachter soon after be-
came . bankrupt, and deserted his
wicked wife, who went to Stade and
married . widower named Woltmann,
who had two children. These also
became victims of the murderous pas.
sions Of their stePmother, and then
her criminal career was brought to .
close. She was arrested, her antece
ents we're closely examined into, and
her victims we're exhumed. Her trial
took place at Stade on the I'd of Oeto-
Der last, aud the result was that she
was convicted on all charges and sen.
fenced to death.
Pastor Decker made, ,.on the morning
of the day on which she was to be exc
cuted, . determined effort to move her
stony heart. The woman was fastened
to the wall by q chain ten feet long,
which was attached to her left wrist.
After listening to the reverend gentle
man for two or three minutes, she made
. sudden attack on him, compelling
him to beat I hasty retreat. Reihen-
berg, the executioner, saluted his vlc-
tim respectfully, and informed her
who he was. Even at this trying mo-
ment her presence of mind did not
leave her. "What do you want of
met" she said to the headsman, fixing
her lustrous eyes inquiringly upon
him. II want to prepare you
for e : :, the scatto!d," he answered; l.
am prepared" "Not quite" he re-
joined. He then unclaimed her hand,
and began to cut off her hair. Az her
m assive locks fell under the pitiless
scissors of the executioner, an angry ex-
preston appeared in the eyes Of the
doomed woman, and she became ner-
vous When the headsman was done,
he went out and returned with . very
low-necked black muslin dress. <tNow,
madam" " he said to her, latter I have
gone out, put on this dress, 1 will re-
urn in fifteen minutes." Wilhelmina
Woltmenn did % she WAS told, and
when the headsman re-entered her cell.
she sat moodily on her couch with hen
shapely shoulders exposed. The heads
man next pinioned her arms, and put Z
chain around her ankles. Then he
threw q heavy fur cape over her shoul.
ders, and the toilet for the scat.
fold was finished. He thereupon left
her cell, and the next visitor was the
warden of the prison, who asked hel
if she wished anything Is Only .. glass
of water," she said, drily. It was tlen
about half-past l, and her last moment
rapidly drawing Nigh. Ten minutes
afterward the Judges and Clerk of the
Criminal Court appeared before her,
and the death-warrsnt was read to hen
last time. The President Judge urg.
ed her in feeling words to confess hel
crimes, and make her peace With her
God. She responded by shaking hes
head impa&iently. They left her, and
then the headsman and his assistants
took her to the scahold. When she
appeared in the open '1if, the biting
cold caused her to shiver; but she
bore the glance OF the Thousands oi
eyes, which the multitude niveted upon
her without ainching.
The scaffold was . coarse, wooden
structure, about eight feet in diameter:
Wilhelmina Woltmann ascendedit with
| . firm step, and walked toward the fatal
block in It's middle without betrsyine
any nervousness. The warden of tht
prison asked her if she had anything K
say. mo, mol" she answered, angrily
"Make haste! Make haste!" Th(
next moment tho two assistants of th<
executioner caused her TO kneel IL
front of the block. They took the ful
cape from her shoulder, and pressed
her head upon the top Of the block, to
which they fastened it by means of &
leather strap. She shook oonvuleively
for . moment or two, until the
executioner, who had meanwhile taken
his flashing axe from . sort oi
scabbard, hastily stepped up to her.
He took his position at the left side o1
the block, lifted up his axe, and struck
heavily upon the beautiful white necl
of the woman. He had done his worn
well, for the head fell down in front o1
the block. while the trunk raised itsel]
conyulsively, = stream of dark red
blood spoutang in the air. The heads
man and his assistants sprang to on.
side of the scaffold, in order not to b>
stained by the blood of the murderess
The vast crowds OF spectators hai
watched this horrible spectacle shud
dering and in silence, and they did NO
disperse until the head and trunk o
Wilhelmina Woltmann had been pu
into coarse deal coffin and placed o,
= wagon, en- route for the anatomica
section at the University Of Munich.