The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-24
The WHITE SILK CAP.
Execution of 0rtwein, the Assassin
of the Hammets.
DETAILS OF THE FNEFOLD MURDER
The German Farm LabOrer'S Deviliry and
Inhuman Ayarice.
DETAILS OF THE FlNEFOLD MURDER
CONFESSION OF THE CRIME.


he dressed himself In o suit OF black cloth pro-
vlded for him and expressed himself pleased with
the ut OF the clothing. The Rev. MI. Hertzberger,
his spiritual adviser, arrived at nine O'Clock, and
at eleven the members OF the press and others
were admitted 70 the jail. At twelve O'CLOCK
Ortwein. amid group OF deputy snerifis, minis
tiers and press representatives. arrived at the loot
OF the sca1od and assembled the steps with
strong, firm tread. The rope was adjusted about
his neck and at this moment Sheriff Hare asked
him II ne mad anything to say. In q loud and IN
ialtering voice ne said :-"what have TO say is
this-I am about to suffer what de-
serve. committed this murder. ! am
ready and willing to die. l most
heartily thank all Ior the kindness shown to me,
and may God have mercy ON their souls. hope
to meet you ell in heaven, for cnrists sake" The
wretched man then prayed. and said-"Father,
into Thy hands commit my soul Thou hast de-
lvered me. o Lord, my Cod"
white SILK cap was then pulled over his head
and the bolt was drawn. The powerful and well
knit vertsbre OF the culprtt dio not seem to part
with the fall
CHEERS OF THE CROWD.
The dead, hard noise oil the parting OF the flaps
OF the platforms was heard by hundreds OF the
idle and curious persons on Diamond street, who
at this moment rent the air with wild and ex-
ultant cheers
CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE.
Ortwein had previously given mis- body to his
spiritual adviser. who will turn It over to the
physicians for the purposes OF medical science.
MOTIVE FOR THE MURDER
The wretcned man last night denied most siren.
uously the report that ne ravished Ida Hammet
and then killed ner and the balance OF the family
to cover up the crime. The murder was for
money solely and had he known that the amount
In the mouse was so small as SIS In all he never
would have blackened his soul and placed his life
in jeopardy for It,
THE TERRIBLE CRIME.
About three O'CLOCK on the morning OF April 80.
1874, the heavens IN the vicinity OF Homestead, q
pretty little village on the banks OF the Mononga-
hela River. six mics distant from this city, were
bright and rudy rom the effect OF the burning
OF the Hammet dwelling In the near neighborhood.
The dazzling light, beaning into the bedroom
window OF Frank Alderman, o coal digger,
AWAKENED MIN from his sleep, and, arousing
his companion. they hurried to the scene VI the
dre. The roof had fallen In at the time OF their
arrival, but the brick walls were still standing,
and ont through the classics windows the glare
OF pile or burning tlmbers gave forth an intense
heat and made the surroundings as bright as at
MONDAY These two man stood Tor some minutes
and looked upon each other in speeches.
terror. Not a soul but themselves was to be seen,
and the sicKening stencn OF burning bodies gave
them an indescrbable feeling aud Tor the time
paralyzed them with lear. When they recovered
Irom 1ne terror %n1cn tnem IKE n'gn
10 brief time tue farmers, with their
wives and sons, were nurrying 10 the scene.
hundred willing hands were IN moment carrying
water 10 quench the DANES hut daylight had come
before the runs had cooled on sufficiently to allow
tue commencement OF the search for the bodies.
the stencil OF burning flesh was almost unendur.
able and stout men shuddered at the thought Of
what II would be ar the search OF the ruins.
FULL CONFESSION OF TIE DEED.
he said he was native OF stuttgart, Wurtem-
ago. He nrst worked on the farm OF Peter Ram.
sey, at Brooklyn N. T., and had come from there
Hammer. On tue night OF the murder he had lett
Hammets and gone to the village OF Homestead.
1s ars s two i. of ws9 was al
this he dropped into grocery store, where he
bought some csndy TOT the cnildren aud some
store the thought struck MIN that ne must nave
Hammers money, and TO get It he must Kill him.
house. 40 he went directly home. After reaching
tue dwelling be iound that Mr.. and Mrs. HammeI,
who mad gone to spend the evening with an old
friend, mad not returned.
THE gUrCHERY OF THE CHILDREN
II was 10 get the money must KIN the children.
found An axe In the Kitchen nd taking tnat with
Where soop1s smith and %ySe G' s.p tue He ~ss
sleeping soundly, with his lace toward me. took
. position at tue joot Of the bed and with one
blow Killed the boy. He never moved after
struck him. Alter TINS work was done went into
the adjoining room, wnere Ida and little Emma
size. raised the axe ana dealt Ida blow which
silenced her forever. She never moved or spoke.
but was dead III moment then raised the axe
and struck &C Emma she uttered cry and then
raised nv weapon second time and gave her
After satisfying myself that ali three were dead
went down stairs and took position just inside
e % o. ud nrs d .ns eome t
way. was desperate now and fhirsted lot more
blood. ! was impatient 70 complete my bloody
work. waited Tor quite q long time, but at last
l heard footsteps. ana heard the couple con.
verslng as they came up the lawn. cutc1ed
came into tue room ! dealt him
wicked blow from benind and he Ieli to the door
then came rushing into the room ana as sue
passed me lstruck her but did not Kill ner. she
john" tDen struck her q second time, when
che staggered and EEL oy me s'as Of ner husband
struck twice with the axe.
MONEY THE MOOT OF ALL zvIL.
committed me deed solely 10 get tine money OF
~ were good to me aud loved the children very
much. Mr. iammet was u good. xmd master 40.
myself tnat all were dead and that every
thng was quiet and safe 1 searched toe
Mrs. Hammers pocketooox on Inc sewing ma:
then gathered Wy lew trinEsts and quilted the
place. did not hre the mouse, and IL was not q
fsnsactinS the house put al oil lamp in the SIT.
ting ROOM and when rushing away from TIE
ou the to a.
soon ~ left the place directed my WY ~ Pi.ts.
bury. tried Ia get WORK IN sever2. urewefies,
but JAILED. l bought Q new suit VI clothes Gad
crank ny nearly All OF my own aud the money
Got from Hammet before was arrested.
THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
On the 18th vi June following t1e Trial OF his
human outcner commenced IN the Court oil quar-.
ter sessions, before Judge stowe. rne only plea
lett for him was that OF INSANITY and on thls MS
counsel did everything u was possible Tor them 10
40 with the scarce material Oh nand. IL Was
hopeless struggle. however, for Oh the third day
the Jury returned verdict OF guilty OF murder Ia
toe nrst uegree. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT was pleasing
TO the people OF Homestead, VINE had organized
themselves into o vigilance committee TO nang
the culprit should ne by use oI legal technically
escape legal strapgulation. But again Ortweln's
cOuLsel took mis- case to the Supreme Court vi the
state and ASKED tnat new trisl oe granted, but
after months OF delay this was refused. About
month since Governor Harfranit s,Enea MS death
warrant, nxing to-day Tue 2sd VI February, Us the
day or execution.
~ p Appp an NEE or TILE crIPnIr