The New York herald., 1877-07-12
Execution of Frank Wilson FOR the
Murder of John B. Rudy.
HIS CRIME AND CONVICTION.
The Usual Sickening Cant Of Certainty OF
Eternal Bliss Beyond The CaIiOws.
A PARTIAL CONFESSION.
HARRIsnrRc, Pa, July II, 1877.

Frank Wilson, the third negro who has expiased his
crime OF murder the gaows within the past three
years In this county, was executed here to-day. The
crime Tor which Wilson hanged was tho killing
last summer OF John b. Rudy, one-armed dealer In
rags ana old iron. The negro ana Rudy had been IN
each others company on tho night OF tho 10th Of
June, 1876, and had visited number OF drinking
saloons together the cripple who had small sum Vt
money about him. deirayng all tho expenses At ten
O'Clock the rag dealer was too drunk TO walk unas-
sisted, and the negro observed leading him along
tho street Early the next morning the dead body Of
Rudy found Il street in tho suburbs Of this
city sparscly populated locality. He lay on his
back ana marks being visible on tho body OF tho
deceased to the Coroner tho jury who held tho In
quest verdict rendered that death had rc.
suited from drunkenness and exposure The
undertaken subsequently discovered marks on tho
neck which aroused strong suspicion that
Rudy had died from strangulation, and tho sudden
disappearance OF Wilson caused him 10 be suspected
Of the crime. -moriem examination OF the BODY
developed tho fact beyond doubt that death had re-
suited from violence Tho police pursued Wilson, but
he cluded thcm leaving the city and finding work a.
Buffalo and other places He at length returned and
having reached Carlisle recognized aud arrested
TRIAL CONVICTION.
Wilson was tried here la January last his case con-
sunias on'y about hours The jury retired Mt evcn-
ns and In tho morning brought IN verdict of murder
in tho arst degree, which he rcceivod with en-
tiro Indifference. AT tho April term . motion
for trial ovcrruled. Wilson heard
the death sentence with smile, and found iauit that
tho date for the execution was not earlier. Az the
meeting OF tho Board oil Pardons last month peti.
ZION for remission Communication OF tho sentence
rejected. Tho culprt has since his conviction ad-
lntcd that hc robbed the old man. but denied all
tcntion to murder him.
rRlESps
Wson, who Is about twenty seven years old, was
born this city. He had two and a mother and
other relatives living. but thoy appeared to take worry
little interest in his tao. scarcely ever visiting him IN
prison. He was known as very vicious negro and
a few years ago he assaulted Harrisburg police
with brick while tho oliccr had under hrs
charge couple o prisoners. Before the murder lie
had been concerned IN a numbor OF robDerics which
he freely confessed utter hc had given up all nope Of
escaping the gaows
The gallows on when Wilson executed stood In
n III the jail whore very lew people fro1
the outside could obtain view OF H. but every acccss1
bic point from which un observation OF tho hang.
ins cou be had was occupied On The out.
sdc oil tho prison nearly nitccn hundred
people had cOngrcguted, waiting for tho end
OF the trngedy AMI the appearance OF tho dead body
The murderer devoted largo portion OF hts lust
night to prayer, which could be distinctly heard
In all the cells. Devotional excrcises were held
III tho corridor during tho evening Ut his request
and he earnestly Joined III the services, making The
following remarks during the progrcss:-"I want you
all 10 meet me 10 henvcn KNOW that Jesus loves
/
be with HIM." HIS spiritual advisers lett hun about
midngut Bctwcen tnat hour mn six IN the mora
rose from his bed several times aud engaged IN pray
my and Bible reading. Ho was joined carly BY tue
nissrs and appeared to be perfectly resigned 10 his
late.
~ HASTE ZOE n9AyN.
What seemed to annoy hun was init TAO hanging
was 10 'ar on AZ eight o'clock anu several hours
aerward hs m'niicsted solicisude to
be o taken en- 70 ,er .ns nn""", M and
litter ten O'Clock mat ho must make the nnal prcpar"
uons proceed 10 the scaGod no showed no sgns ol
hervousnc-s Before beng Conducted to the jail yard
prayer meeting was hcii IN his cell, aud the voice Of
the prisoner IN deep supplicatiou could bc plainly
heard outside
About Two minutes previous to the removal OF tho
Gu prt 10 the corridor ON way TO tho gaows one
OF The ministers asked him, IN tho presence OF hts
counsel, 10 tell the wholv ruth ubout his connection
with the crimc Tor whcn nc to be hanged Wilson
rcpnca that hc hoped to meet hi, God III a
lew moments, hc would not lie. lie thcn solcmnly
McMullen and Richard Bordoy IN the as sauit on Rudy
substantially correct In his confession bc stated
that Ruiy haa been showed on hin by one OF the
| negroes, and that he dealt the drunken rag
dealer Diow win his hst, knocSng him
down aud acrwari robHins him lie con.
| tnucd, ''Il not my intention TO XIII
him, and 20 not believe that he was killed by mo-
lie was very drunk, and he had had n light with his
wife across the river that day. was drunk that
do not know what happened alter tho robbery. II
Killed Rudy | did not 'rtcnd to. for thought TOO
much OF him neither did | intend to rob him, nor
would have attempted such crimo did not McMul-
len and Bordlcy lead mo into It.
THE LAST scgSK
The prisoner was led to the scalold about i've min
utcs past ten a. NJ and hitcen minutes aiterward his
neck was brokon. le bore up well until his aud
legs were helng pInionci, when his frame quvcreL.
Amer the conclusion ot icrvent prayer BY Rev. Mr.
Clark. Methodist preacher, tho doomed man was
asked whether he bad any rein rks to make before thu
trap sprung liz replied as follows: - want to
die Ike Christian Let mo go to tho arms OF Jesus"
HANGED DEAD
The last speech of the cuprt having been finished,
ths Scriu soon alter touched ths lever coEDcc Ing
with tho trapdoor aud the murderer desccndcd about
two feet nnd hall. the tall breaking his neck. few
couvuisivo movements OF tho legs and shoulders
| followed. when the body assumed motonlcss atti.
tudc. In fourteen minutes tho culprit dead, and
IN taeniy minutes tho body was cut down and placed
n Il