The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1878-10-30
The Beheading of HoedeI.


Berlin correspondent of the New York World
writes as follows:
The scAaold was erected in The prison-yard where
about 6fy persons, magistrates and lawyers, munc-
ipsl officials, military officials aud members of the
police force, besides some reporters gathered
The prisoner, conducted by three wardeus. walked
with firm step to the foot Of the scAold and stared
iupuiently around st the assemblage. Councillor
Holman, who was charged with superintending the
execution, took his place at table aud read loudly
the sentence Of death snd desth- warrant. At the
conclusion Hoede spSt upon the ground and cried,
" BravoP The magistrate now turned to a tai,
strongly built mAn Of about 80 IS years Of age,
handsome, with 4 small mustache and neatly. indeed
elegantly, lttired in fine linen shirt with wastcOat
and trousers Of black broadcloth. This was Herr
KrAntI, the eKeouhoner. The old headsmau, W.
Reiudsl, who had grown rich through the exercise of
his minor function Of dogcatcher to the city,
longer equal 70 the serious labor Of striking of
mans head at blow, and passed over his ak
or rather duplicate Of bis ax-to the younger man
No such implement having been needed for more
than decade, the Department of Justice found itself
compelled 10 resort to the Market Museum. An s1
had been ordered year ago by the director Of the
museum, an exact duplicate Of that Reindel had en-
ployed, and which the museum unable to secure,
owing to the fancy price the old hesdsnau placed
upon bis weapon. This AZ was borrowed, Herr
Grossmsnn, the cutler, Of whom had been order
ed. being unable TO get ready in time. It is q
large weapon, good deal like butchers cleaTer,
in appearance with a very keen, straight edge. It
gro0nd TO the sharpness Of q the afternoon
before the execution.
Holding up the warrant that the hsAdsmAn might
see the Grown Princes signature, Councillor Holl-
mann said to him:
a. Note this document, aud now receive from me
the tinsmith Emil Heinrich Max Hoedel, delivered
70 you 70 be behesded."
" Come this way" said the headsmAn to Hoedel.
who lightly the three steps leading to the plat
form and threw Of bis coat and EAistcoAt. At this
moment the ehApe-bel began toling he ga1ed in its
direction, tken looked around upon those present
with ir0uiesl sneer. Throwing down his braces,
Hoedel began 70 unbutton bis shirt, bat could not
unfssten Of the buttons. 0ne Of the wardens
went TO his assistance and turned it down beneath
his shoulders leaving the neck and the upper part Of
the breast bare. MeAnWhils two other keepers had
tied the condemned nAn's arms aud ankles. They
then carried him. pinioued and helpless to the block
whioh was Of stout, hard wood. with hollow re-
esiTe the neck. Aad painted blood rod. Laying him
il face downward, strong leathsrn baud fast.
suei the back efthe head. that could be
moved aud cleariy-defned mark was offered for the
headsman's blow.
Opening lsAthe=n case. on which were in gold
figures "lSTs,' KrAntI took cut the glittsring new
AZ, and taking his ain with almost impereeptibls
glance, sEung the weapon sloft and brought il hiss
ing down on the band of fesh between the leAtheru
fAsteang and the turnsd-bAek shirt. enly one blow
was needed.
The blood spraug out Of the immense Wound the
mask vanished las seemed), and there left the
trunk. which tEitehed spasmodicaIly few times
and the head, which looked as II it had been shorr
Of jast At the chin. A very slight contraction OF
movement Of the skin of the forehesd noticeable
The whole operation lasted about two minutes and
half. eofin was brought out, int which the still
bleeding remains were pitched. Il placed in
hole already dag in corner Of the prison-yard. The
earth was filed in aud all was over
The AZ With which Hoedel vas seheaded has beer
replaced IN the museum in its old place, above ths
block on which the head Of the BurgouAstsr TFchech
(sxecutsd about thirty years ago for attempt upon
the life Of Frederick William ~ strack Of, and
benesth the thong With which his head was fastened
10 the block.