The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-07
A DOUBLE HANGING.
Tho Murdcrcr- Of Farmer wahI Expiatins
their Crime on the Gail0ws.


their Crime on the Gailows.
PrrrsBURGu. Jan. civilian Murray
and Frederick Myers were hanged In the Jail
yard at noon to-day for the murder OF Gott-
hardt wahl. Tho murder was committed on
tho evening OF Nov. II, 1874 As the farmer,
wahl, was driving from the city to his home
near Perrysville, he wa. waylaid ~ these two
men, and while Myers held the horses, Murray
sprang into the wagon and demanded his money
bis life. Wahl attempted TO Rrapple with
him, but Murray drew a revolver aud nred three
shots, two OF which took effect In wahl's alb
domen. On the evening Of the following day
Murray and Myers were both arrested at their
boarding house In this city, and shortly after
ward Myers made a fun confession. They were
convicted and sentenced to be hanged.
Murray says he was born In New Haven, 10
1870 He lie a carpenter by trade, and has no rela-
tives living. lie has steadily refused to have any
spiritual ad wiser lie processes to believe tn ere
Is no hereafter. and would have nothing to do
with priests or preachers. IL was only yesterday
that he dismissed priest, telling him that he
his friends. lie stent last evening in conversa-
ton with bis guards on various topics but not
on the subject OF the mIrder. lie retired about
o'clock THIS morning and slept SoundlY until
:, when he arose and ate a hearty breakfast.
Myers saws that he WIS born 10 Germany and
Ia thirty-nve yeirs old-this, the day OF his exc
cution. being his birthday. lie came to this
country when eleven years OF age, and Is har-
ness maker by trade. since his conviction lac
has devoted most OF his time to religious re ID
Ing, prayer and meditation. and expressed a
strong hoi e In his future happiness. Last night
he employed his time in reading his Testament
and praying, re Ting at about IL O'Clock, and
sleeping well until o'clock this morning. AT )
o'clock Father Beck his spiritual adviser, Wis
tied him and administered the Sacrament of
the Church, after which he pattuok Of a heart y
breakfast. A strong effort has been made by
his counsel to have hts sentence commuted to
imprisonment for life. A hnal hearing was had
before the Board OF ParIons on Tuesday last
which resulted In decisiun adverse to the
prisoner. lie received this intelligence with
great c. mpOsute, saying that he was prepared
TO die.
AT about 1890 A. NJ. Father Beck returned "a
Mycrs's cell, ana spent the last hour and nall
with him In devotional exercises. Murray spent
his time with his guard and cell mate Ii Is un-
derstood that Myers made a confession this
morning To- Father Beck, which Is about tue
same as that made To his counsel Murray has
made no confession 50 far as known, Uut per
sisted In dtclartLg his Innocence.
A few minutes before u o'clock. tho men n
ushered into TIE jail yard 10y sheriff Fife. Tue,
mounted the galiows with "A nrm step. Myer-
was acconpauied bY his spiritual adviser. and
showed Nv his pallur that ue realized the DIRE Il
ful situation. MURRAY showed uy his demeanuI
that he was determined to die game. when
asked II he mad anything to saw, Mu ray replied
mo Myers expressed hope In future lie
The Sheriff after shaking hands with the con
deuned men. stepped down fiom the scano d
rays struggles were soon a. an end, out Myers
were prolonged Tor some minutes. The bodies
after hanging for eighteen minutes, were taken
down nuO placed In collins fer In terment