The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-12-30
Murderers Hanged.

Weston, Ellis and Thompson, colored
men, were hanged In the Tombs prison, New
York, at 9:35 on the morning of December
", 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 half-past nine they were led out
to the gallows. Weston walked first fol-
lowed by Thompson, each supported by,
Catholic priest. Ellis, who brought up the
rear, was attended by four clergymen oil
different denominations.
At 1925 Sheriff Conner 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
and an oc casional contraction OF his legs.
Thompson apparently suffered more. HIS
body shivered from head to foot, his breast
heaved, and he raised his arms Tor several
times, working his fingers cOnvulsively. But
the mode of Ellis death was cruelest OF all.
At the last moment, after the moose had
been adjusted, he suddenly turned his head
and disarrauged the position OF the knot.
Before 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. lie then swung
around and convulsively seized Thompson,
who was hanging next TO him, and again
endeayored to raise himself. lie even
succeeded in twice clasping his legs around
| Thompson's waist, and by thus easing his
neck he was enabled to breathe more freely
and to prolong his agony. He even seized the
rope lust 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 to cry aloud
"Saye me-" and his breath was plainly dis
cernible as it issued beneath the black car
that covered his face.
Strong men turned away, pale and trem
bling, from the sickening spectacle, ano
there were murmurs of "Take him down,
and "Cut the rope" but fortunately ther'
was no needRof double execution. In hi
struggles he again shifted the knot, and thu
moose suddenly closed around his windpip'
and he was strangled to death.
Henry Hollenschield, q German, sixty-hv
years old, was hanged ut Herman, Missouri
on the afternoon of the same day, for tn
murder of his sOn-in.law, Christian Alban0
in June last. The prisoner was brought
the gallows about one o'clock, and at 1:2
the trap was sprung and the culprit launche
, into eternity. He died with but singl
struggle. At 1:40 the body was cut dow
/ and delivered to the friends for buria
, Hollenschield's wife, only one year his j
, nior, was convicted as accessory to the mu
+ der and sentenced to be hanged with hin
: but Governor Hardin committed her sentent
to imprisonment for life. The gallows wei
D erected on high bluff near town, and tt
execution was witnessed by several thousar
| persons.