The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-12-24

Weston, Ellis and Thompson, colored
men, were hanged in the tombs prison, New
York, at 9:35 on the morning OF December
IL, for the murder OF Abraham Weissburg,
peddler, in September last.
A violent effort was made by the crowd
outside to obtain entrance when the gate
was opened to ticket holders, but they were
prevented by the police.
The men were pinioned, as usual, in their
cells, and at balf-past nine they were led
out to the gallows. Weston walked hrst,
followed BY Thompson, each supported by q
Catholic priest. Ellis, who brought up the
rear, was attended by four clergymen OF
different denominations.
At 1925 Sheriff Ccnor gave the signal, the
weights were let go, and the bodies OF the
three murderers were lifted into the air.
A most horrible scene then occurred.
Weston died easily, no motion OF his frame
being perceptible, except brief shudder
aud an occasional contraction OF his legs.
Thompson apparently suffered more. His
body shiyered from head TO foot his breast
heayed, and he raised his ANS for several
times, working his fingers convulsively. But
the mode Of Ellis death was crueelst OF all.
At the last moment, after the moose had been
adjusted, he suddenly turned his head and
disarranged the position of the knot. Be-
fore il could be readjusted, the signal was
given, and the weight fell. The knot slipped
and became fixed beneath his chin. He be-
gan to writhe terribly, and placing his feet
| against the boards at the side of the scaffold
| he attempted to raise himself and relieve
the strain upon his neck. He then swung
around eonvulsively seized Thompson, who
was hanging next to him, and again
endeavorcd to raise himself. He even
succeeded in twice clssping his legs around
/ Thompson's waist, and by thus easing bis
| n.ak ~. ahl.l IN krsafhe ruare freely
and 10 prolong his agony. He even seized the
rope just above the knot, his arms having
been fastened too loosely, and as he did so,
his handkerchief, which was in his hand
| when he was swung into the air, fell over
his shoulder. He was heard 10 cry aloud,
Save me" and his breath was plainly dis
cernible as II issued beneath the black cap
that covered his face.
st.oDg men turned away pale and trem:
bling, from the sickening spectacle, and
there were murpurs OF Take him down."
and "Cut the rope;" but fortunately there
was no need OF double execution. In his
struggles he again shifted the knot, and the
moose suddenly closed around his windpipe
and he was slrangled to death.
Henry Hollensohield, q German, sixty five
years old, was hanged at Herman, Missouri,
on the afternoon Of the same day, for the
murder OF his son-in-law, Christian Alband,
in June last. The prisoner was brought to
the gallows about one o'clock, and at 100
the trap was sprung and the culprit launched
into eternity. He died with but slight
struggle. At l:40 the body was cut down
aud delivered 10 the friends for burial
Hollenschield's wife, only one year his
junior, was convicted as accessory to the
murder, and sentenced to be hanged with
him, but Governor Hardin commuted her
sentence to imprisonment for life. The
gallows were erected on a high bluff near
town, and the execution was witnessed by
several thousand persons.