The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-16
Execution of John AbleS and John
W. Beavers.
HANGED WHILE DRUNK.
A Disgraceful Scene in South
western Missouri.
RIDER IN A CHI r G H.
rpx TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


KANSAS Cry, Mo-, Feb. Is, 1878
The execution OF John Ables, aged sixsy-two years.
for the murder OF John L. Lane, took pocs at twenty
minutes past two O'Clock this afternoon, In tho pres
vnce OF several thousand persons at Carthage, Jasper
county No. The murderer had becn plentifully sup
piled with whskey the last twelve hours, and was
about half drunk when the execution took place.
He slept until nearly twolve O'Clock. and was then
awakened by the Sheriff. who told him his last
hour had come Abes terribly proiane, and
while walking the scaold cursed God and The whole
universe. On reaching the scaioid and taking his
place on fatal DROP he made confession and said
that Lane him nrst, and that he killed him in
ssli-defsnce His last words. almost ourses
The execution was public, ana rabbIe OF Thousands
surrounded the galiows Abss did not want MINIS
ter to pray him, and took the leap ato eternity
without the customary prayer.
THE CRIME.
The crime for which Ables died was committed IN q
dreary and desoiate section OF Mcdonald county, IN
the extreme southeastern part OF Missouri, on the
10th Of April 1874. The cause of the act seems
have been tho intimacy OF Abes' wife with Lane,
the murdered man, and man named Dqdson
John Ables had resided in the western part Of
Mcdonald county about years prior to 1874, and
had family consisting OF wife and two small chill
ana lair !" lcoS upop. Xbes was greatly addicted 4.
drink and was much away from homo during MS
tenton OF married and single oil the neg hborhood
Her actions became matter OF common talk, and her
husband hoard or It. Two men were her frequent
guests-L,ne ana Dodson. Dodson was the favored
one, ana last, the 18th Of April Mrs. Ablcs eloped
with him. and the pair heard Of AS making their
way East toward Carthage. Ables came home soon
alter tho slopement. and became terribly ex-
cited. He swore he would Kill every man that
suspected OF having been too
intimate with hts runaway spouse, and armed himself
heavily for that purpose. During the two days that
be renamed In town Lane his compan ion, aud It
was thought The two had sworn eternal friendship.
Ables hired Lane. aud the two rted with Lanes
horse pursuit OF the lugitives, riding and walking
alternately.
The two men travelled cast until they reached Pine
Vile, the county seat and all along the road They IN
CURED for and The country
throughout this section Is rough and barren and very
Sparsey settled On Wednesday evening, Apr! 10,
continuing eastern direction, they struck stream
called Grxnney's Branch, up which they travelled q
snort distance and then turned into very narrow
ravine leading from this stream. This is one Of the
most desoiate aud crime inviting ravlnes that the
pen could picture. just tho place the my- ccrer
would choose a spot Tor the preparation Of his
bloody deeds Tue two were seen entering this
ravine about eleven O'Clock Thursday, the 18th,
in this ravlne by some men out hunting horses Two
bullet holes in the mans body told the tale
ARREST
Ables fed to the Indian Territory. He was arrested
In Caddo on the 18th Of May and taken back TO
Mcdonald county for trial. The popuace were terri
bly, excited the matter, and strong guard
kept over the jail night and day. The feeling
county where he tried and sentenced to be
hanged the l1th OF June, 1875. The execution has
been delayed from that cato 10 this BY various legal
processes.