The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-01-12
= Double Execution .

PITTsBUBG. Jan. 6.-Tbe execution
# William Murray and Frederick
MYERS for The murder Of Gotthardt
Wahl took place in the Jail yard at
noon do-day The murder was COM
United on the evening of Nov. IL,
1874, as the farmer, Wahl, was driv-
IDg from the city "a bis home near
Perrysville. He was waylaid by
these TWO men, aud while Myers,
held the horses Murray sprang to the
wagon and demanded his money or
bis life. VAIL attempted to grapple
with the rObber when the latter drew
a revolver, iriag three shots, two Of
which took effect in Wahl's abdomen.
On the evening of the following day
Murray aud Myers were both arrest
ed at their clearinghouse in
this CITY, and shortly afuerward Myers
made q full confession. They were
convicted aud sentenced to be hang
ed. Murray saws be was born in
New-H Haven in 1910. He is . car
peater by trade, aud has no reiati YES
living. He has steadily refused to
have any spiritual adviser He pro.
fesses to believe there is no hereafter
and would have nothing TO do with
priests or preachers. Yesterday b,
dismissed a priest. telling him thai
he would let him know when be want.
"a him. He spent last evening ia
conversation with his guards on va.
rious topics, but not on the subject OF
be murder. He retired about
o'clock this morning aud slept sound.
" until Z, when be arose and ate a
hearty breakfast. Myers stated thai
be was born in Germany, and is thir.
ty-6ve years old, this, the day Of bis
execution, being his birthday. lie
came 10 this country Nhen eleven
years of age, aud is a barness-maker
by trade. Since bis conviction he
has devoted most Of his time 10 re.
igious reading, prayer, and media.
tioD, and expressed q strong hope In
his future happiness.
During last night he employed biz
ime 10 reading his testament aud
praying, retiring at about ii O'Clock.
and sleeping well until 6 O'Clock this
morning. At S O'Clock Father Beck,
his spiritual adviser, visited him and
administered the sacrament OF the
Catholic Church, after which be par
took of O hearty breakfast. 4 strong
fort has been made by his counsel
10 have his sentence cummuted to
Imprisonment for life. A final hear
Jog was had before the Board OF
Pardons on Tuesday last, when it
refused TO commute the sentence. He
received this intelligence with great
composure, saying that he was pre-
pared TO die.
About 1880 O'Clock Father Beck
returned TO Myers cell, and spent
he last hour and a half with him 10
devotional exercises. Murray spen,
his time with his guard anG cell mate.
Myers is said to have made "A cUn-
LESSON this morning to Father Beck,
which Is about the same as that made
10 bis counsel, with the addition OF
bis real Dame of Myers. Murray
nGs made no confession, so far as is
known, bat persisted in declaring his
innocence.
4 few minutes before II O'Clock
be men were taken to the Jail yard
By Sheriff Fife. They mcuaied the
gallows with a firm step. Myers
was accompanied by his spiritual ad.
wiser, and showed by his paIlcr that
be realized the dreadful situatinn.-
Mugray's demeanor was unchanged.
When asked if be had ANYTHING to
say, Murray replied "No.n Myers
expressed a hope in a future life. The
Sheriff then touched the trigger, aud
The men tell. Murray's struggles
were soon al an end, but Myers
we're prolonged for some moments
The bodies, after banging for eigh
zen minutes, were taken down and
placed in cefins far inlermcnt.