Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-11-21
EXECUTION w. E.UDDERZooK.

William J.. Edoy:look, Chief con
slira,or in the celebrated Insurance
frauds and mmd,r Of ". scott Goss,
expialed his crimes on the gallows in
the iailyard between twelve and one
o'clock at West Chester, Pa. Nov, y.
Udderzook died game and made no sign
of Guilt or innocence, though protesting
that he suffered death uujUstly for crime
by which he probably meant to impugn
the Justice Of capital Punishment. The
crime OF murder for which he was
hanged was perpetrated July l, 1873,
in Chester county, Pa. and is familiar
to all. Throughout his Imprisonment
Udderzook's calm dencanor has been
remarkable; but it rose to dignity in
thc presence Of the witnesses of his
death.
PREPARATIONS FOR DEATH.
After night Of unbroken sleep, he
was ont Of bed and dressed by 6.20 n.
NJ. He shaved himself, as he had been
accustomed to do all along, with a razor
kept by the warden Of the prison when
not in use, No apprehension was en-
tertained of any suicidal thoughts in
Uddclzooks mind. When chad done
shaving he carefully wiped the razor,
and remarked to deputy warden near
10y, "Well won't want that any more.
lie breakfastcd with his usual relish for
food. and chen leisurcly proceeded to
pack his trunk or box with the surplus
clothing. books and other things he
had used in his cell as though going on
terrestrial journey. He also rolled
the feather bed he had Ieen allowed,
and ordered the effects to be sent to his
wife in Baltimore.
RELIGIOUS DEvoToNs.
While engaged in these preparations
for the final journey Rev. Jepseph S.
Evans, of the Baptist Church, at about
eight o'clock, entered the cell, followed
shortly by Rev. Wesley {. Best,
of the NJ. L. Church, and Rev. Alfred
Harris, of the Baptist Church, all spir-
itual advisers Of the condemned man.
These gentlemen, with the exception
of Mr. Perdue, one of his counsel, were
the only persons besides prison officials
admitted to the cell. Mr. Perdues
visit was very brief, and simply to say
goodbye. Udderzook requested him,
as well as the clergymen, to write to
his wife and give her all the consolation
they could as to manner of his death.
Undertook had on Wednesday taken
leave of his mother, promising her that
he would make no speeck from the
scafold. He had written lengthy
statement, which he DESTROYED, tearing
it up and throwing it down the sink.
His spiritual advisers say he did not
desire to make any remarks, though on
the outside speech was confidently an
ticipated. No posthumous papers were
left, except a letter, mailed Wednesday,
to his wife, inclosing letters to each Of
his three children, even to the little
baby, his Youngest son, giving advice.
He directed that the letters to the
children remain sealed until they reach
the years Of maturity.
PRIDE AND COl hAUE,
In talking of the few minutes remain
inc to him on earth, Udderzook referred
to his life as soldier Then, he said,
pride and honor nerved him to face
death OH the battlefield; but now it was
different feeling that animated him.
He knew he was an accepted man and
had no fear even of the manner OF death
by the rope. When told by one OF the
clergymen that his mother had gone to
Harrisburg to intercede for a respite,
Undertook seemed grieved, but one of
the clergymen Immediately informed
him that there was no hope in that
quarter. and that Gov Hartranft had
declared in dispatch to Sheriff Gill
that he would not interfere with the
course of the law. Udderzook said moth
ing and was apparently satisfied. He
then knew that his fate was irrevocable.
NO CONFESSION.
Udderzook made no confession. A
week ago, however, Rev. Mr.. Evans
said to the prisoner, "Udderzook, |
tnow YOU are guilty man" He did
NOT deny it, and tacitly admitted that
he was. During the year Mr. Evans
has been with him Undertook never