Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-10-16

assassinate the Emperor of Germany
was beheaded in the prison yard in Ber.
lin. The prisoner, conducted by three
wardens, walked with firm step to
the foot Of the scatfold and stared im-
pudently around the assembly. Coun-
cillor HOLMAN, who was charged with
experimenting the execution, took his
place at a table and read aloud the sem
tence of death and death warrant. AT
the conclusion Hoedel spat upon the
ground and cried "Bravo!" The ma
| gistrate now turned to a tall. strongly
built man about 80 or 80 years of age,
handsome, with a small moustache and
neatly, indeed elegantly, attired in a
fine linen shirt with waistcoat and trou-
sers of black broadcloth. This was
Herr Kranz, the executioner. The old
headsn,an, W. ReindeI, who had grown
rich through the exercise of his minor
function of dog catcher to the city, was
no longer equal to the serious labor of
striking off mans head at blow ,and
SO passed over his aXe-or rather du-
plicate of his axe-to the younger man.
No such implement having been need
ed for more than decade, the depart
ment of justice found itself compelled
to resort to the Market museum. An
axe had been ordered year ago by the
director of the museum, an exact dupli-
cate of that Reindel had employed, and
which the museum was unable to Sc
cure, owing to the fancy price the old
headsman placed upon his weapon.
This axe was borrowed. Herr Gross
mann, the cutler, of whom one had
been ordered, being unable to get one
ready in time. Ii is a large weapon, a
good deal like a butchers cleaver in
appearance, with very keen, strait
edge. 1t was ground to the sharpness
of a razor the afternoon before the exc
cution.
Holding up the warrant that the
headsman might see the crown princes
signature, Councillor HOLMAN said to
him:
'Note this document, and now re-
ceive from me the tinsmith Emil Helm
rich Max HOedel, delivered to you to
be beheaded."
''Come this way" said the heads
man to Hoedel, who ran lightly up the
three steps leading to the platform and
threw off his coat and waistcoat. AT
this moment the chapel bell began toll
ing; he gazed in its direction, then
looked around upon those present with
an ironical sneer. Throwing dow II his
braces, Hoedel began TO unbutton his
shirt, but could not unfasten one of the
buttons. One of the wardens went to
his assistance and turned it down be-
meath his shoulders, leaving the neck
and the upper part of the breast bare.
Meanwhile two other keepers had tied
the condemned mans arms and ankles. |
They then carried him, pinioned and
helpless, to the block, which was of
stout hardwood, with a hollow to re-
ceive the neck, and painted blood red. |
Laying him on 1t face downwards, a I
strong leathern band was fastened over |
the head so that il could not be moved, !
and clearly defined mark was offered |
for the headsman's blow. Opening a 4
leathern case on which were i'm gold |
the figures ''1S7S," Krantz took out the
glittering new axe, and taking his aim,
with an almost imperceptible glance,
swung the weapon aloft and brought it /
Kissing down on the band of flesh be-
tween the leathern fastening and the
turned back shirt. Only one blow was
needed. The blood sprang out of the |
$50 it seemed) and there was left the
which twitched spasmodically |
a few times. and the head looked as if
it had been shorn off just at the chin.
A very slight contraction or movement
Of the skin of the forehead was notice.
able. The whole operation lasted about
two minutes and a half. A coffin was
brought out, into which the still bleed
ug remains were pitched; it was pla-
ced in hole already dug in a corner
Of the prison yard, the earth was filled
in and all was over.
The axe with which HOedel was be-
headed has been replaced in the muse
lm, in its old place, above the block on
which the head of Burgomaster Tschech
about 80 years ago for an
attempt upon the life of Frederick Will
lam IV.-was struck off, and beneath
he thong with which the head was
fastened to the block, an inscri ption
mas been placed as follows:
"May IL, 1873. Hoedel, journeyman
insmith, fired, Inter der Linden, re-
7olver, at III. NJ. William, emperor of
Germany and king Of Prussia; July 10,
Hoedel was condemned to death by the
court of appeals at Berlin; this judg-
men: was congrmed by imperial decree
August s, and, August l6, Hoedel's
lead was struck off with this axe by
he headsman, Krantz, in the yard of
he cellular prison of Moabit."