Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-10-30

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was borrowed, Herr Grossman, the
cutler, of whom one had been ordered,
being unable to get one ready in time
it is a large weapon, good deal like
butchers cleaver in its appearance,
with a very keen, straight edge. 1t
was ground to the sharpness Of razor
the afternoon before the execution.
Holding up the warrant, that the
headsman might see the Crown Prince S
signature, Councillor Hollmann said
TO him
Note this document and now re-
ceive from me, the tinsmith, Emil Helm
rich Max Hocdcl, delivered to you to
be beheaded."
"Come this way" said the heads
man to Hoedel, who ran lightly up the
three steps leading to tho platform, and
threw off his coat and waistcoat. Al
this moment the chapel bell began
tolling he gazed in its direction, then
looked around upon those present with
an ironical sneer. Throwing down his
braces, Hoedel began to unbutton his
shirt, but could not uniasten one OF
the buttons. One OF the wardens went
to his assistance and turned IL down
beneath his shoulders, leaving the neck
and the upper part of the breast bare.
Meanwhile two other keepers tied the
condemned mans arms and ankles.
They then carried him, pinioned and
helpless, to the block, which was of stout,
hard wood, with a hollow to receive
the neck, and painted blood-red. Lay.
ing him on it, face downward, a strong
leathern band was fastened over the
back of the head, so that it could not
be moved, and a clearly defined mark
was offered for the headsman's axe.
Opening leathern case, on which
were in gold, the figures "1s7S,n
Krantz took out the glittering new
axe, and taking his aim, with an almost
imperceptible glance, swung the weap.
on aloft and brought il kissing down
upon the band Of flesh between the
leathern fastening and the turned back
shirt. Only one blow was needed
The blood sprang out Of the immense
wound the neck vanished $50 il seemed)
and there was lett the trunk, which
twitched spasmodically few times,
and the head, which 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 coi.
fin was brought out, into which the
still bleeding remains were pitched
it was placed in a hole already dug in
corner of the prison yard the earth
was filed in and all was over
The axe with which Hoedel was be-
headed has been replaced in the Mu-
scum, in its old place, above the block
on which the head Of the BurgomasteI
Tschech (executed about thirty year:
ago for an attempt upon the life oI
Frederick William lV.) was struck off
and beneath the thong with which hit
head was fastened to the block. An
inscription has been placed beside it, as
follows
May IL, 1878, Hoedel, joarneyman iiusmiih
fired, Unter den Linden, revolver at II. NJ .,
William, Emperor Of Germany and King Of Prus.
sia July 10, Hoede was condemned to death by
the Court Of Appeals at Berlin this judgement
confirmed by Imperial decree August s, and, Au'
gust lC, Hoedel's head was struck of with the axe
by the headsman, Krantl, in the yard Of the eel
lular prison of Moabt."
The police authorities at Leipsic
communicated the news OF Hoedels
death to his parents-or rather bis
mother and step-fathcr-on the day il
occurred, and the correspondent OF q
Berlin paper interviewed" the old
people Immediately afterwards. The
mother is overcome by the news, and
cannot believe that her son is dead
She insists on coming to Berlin to sec
for herself The stcp.father takes the
whole business very coolly, and cob,
bles his customers shoes and pufis bis
pipe while discussing with stoical in.
difference his stepson's crime and its
atoncmont In the last letter but one
which Hoedel sent home he wrote 81
eat and drink well, and hope you arc
as ligbthcartcd as am. What mat
tors it If they lop off my head My
career is over"
Nobbiling's turn will come in due
course, ! suppose. And talking Of No
billing, when Becker, the student
made his memorable attempt at assas-
sination at Badcn-Baden, merchant
at Cologne who bore the would-be
murderer's name had it changed by
law to that of his wife, which happen.
ed to be Nobilingl He is gong tc
change it again, but to what, does not
appear.-Cor. Neio York World,