The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-09-18
THE BEBEADING OF HOEDEL.
A Barbarous Execution of Barbarous
Criminal.
The Medieval Mode of Punishment
which Germany Uses for State
Onenses.
New York World.l


Louis Grothe, a young man who with his
mistress and his mother had hacked in pieces
and thrown into the river a French teacher
named Gregy, was executed, had the axe
fallen on guilty wretch's neck--at the cap
ital, that is, for there were a few executions
in the provinces. The old emperor's invari
able practice was to commute the sentence
when death warrant was handed to him,
and he would have spared Hoedel's life had
not the crown prince and Prince Won Bis
marck pressed him to remember that Glenn
ency here might encourage socialist asssssins
elsewhere as well as in Germany.
1t was on the afternoon of Thursday that
Hoedel, who occupied a cell in the city
prison, was informed that the law was TO
take its course. He bit his lips and turned
deadly pale; then muttered to keeper who
stood by him, They're only trying to fright
en- me-" mot So" said the keeper, that's
really your death sentence" He asked TO
be allowed 10 write an appeal for mercy, but
was told that it was too late; then he asked
hat he might be executed on the kreuz-
berg, well known hill in the suburbs, asso-
ciated with the revolutionary proceedings OF
1S4s He was told that he might order for
his comfort whatever he pleased. but he de-
clined to avail himself ofthe privilege OF the
"headsman's banquet" as il Is called,
though tor the first time since his incarcera-
tion) he asked for cigars; subsequently he
took bottle of wine and some beer.
At $50 p. m. the condemned man was re-
moved IN prison-van to the penitentiary at
Moabit in the northwestern suburbs, and
lodged n a strong cell. The Lutheran chap
lain, DIR. Heinickes, accompanied and passed
most of the night chatting with him. Chat
ting is the proper word, for whenever the
pastor attempted 10 turn the conversation
towards religious subjects Hoedel inter
rupted him rudely. The condemned man
/ spoke very freely, while smoking. Had
/ ,.laoad tnAar nfbar ri ron naQ M " no
said, II might perhaps not have come to
this; brought up differently might have
been another man." Then he added: 81
must play out my part TO the end as began
it," Towards morning he fell asleep and
was sleeping soundly when, at $3.50, be was
awakened-to die. Hardly was he prepared
for the scaffold than he thrust his cigar into
his mouth. You are free 10 do so II you
WISH" said the clergyman, ''but | would
rather you did not take that cigar with you"
Very we'll, won't, them" said Hoedel, 'if
it's any pleasure 10 you"
The scaffold was erected in the prison yard
where about fifty persons, magistrates ana
lawyers, municipal officials, military officials
and members of the police force, besides
some reporters were gathered. The prisoner.
conducted by three wardens, walked with a
firm step TO the foot OF the scaffold, aud
stared impudenily around Mt the assembly.
Councillor Holman, who was charged with
experimenting the execution took his place
at table and read loudly the sentence OF
death and death warrant. At the conclusion
Hoedel spat upon the ground and cried
"Bravoln The magistrate now turned to a
tall stronghold man, about thirty or
thirty.five years OF age, handsome, with y
small mustache, and neatly indeed elegantly
attired in a fine linen shirt, with waistcoai
and trowsers of black broadcloth. This was
Herr Krantz, the executioner. The old
headsman, w. Reindel, who had grown rich
through the exercise of his minor function oil
dog. catcher to the city, was not longer equal
to the serious labor OF striking off mans
head ut a blow, and so passed over his ak
or rather duplicate of his ax-to the young
err man. No such implement having been
needed for more than n decade, the depart
ment of justice found itself compelled &c
resort TO the Market museum. An axe hao
been ordered a year ago by the director o
the museum, an exact duplicate of tina
Reindel had employed, and which the mu'
scum was unable TO secure, owing to the
fancy price the old headsman placed upon
his weapon. This axe was borrowed. Herr
GroSsman, the cutler, OF whom one had beer
ordered, being unable TO get one ready IL
time; IL Is a large weapon, good deal like !
butchers cleaver in appearance. with very
keen, straight edge. IL was ground TO the
sharpness OF a razor In the afternoon before
the execution.
Holding up the warrant that the heads
man might see the crown princes signature
Councillor Holman said to him:
''Note this document, and now receive
from me the tinsmith, Emil Heinrich Max
Hoedel, delivered 10 you TO be heheaded."
Come this way" said the headsman u
Hoedel, who ran lightly up the three step
leading TO the platform and threw off hi
coat and waistcoat. At this moment thu
chapel bell began tolling; he gazed in III
direction, then looked round upon those
| .s......t ...th a., trnntoal vnaar NhrnWi ne
down his braces, Hoedel began to unbuttor
his shirt but could not unfasten one OF the
buttons One OF the wardens went TO hi
assistance, and turned it down beneath hi
shoulders, leaving the neck and the upper
part OF the breast bare. Meanwhile TWO
other keepers had tied the condemned man
arms and ankles. They then carried him
pinioned and helpless, to the block, which
was OF stout hardwood, with hollow I,
receive the neck, and painted blood red
Laying him on IL face downward, stronI
leathern band was fastened over the back o
! the head so that II could not be moved, ant
, a clearly defined mark was offered for the
headsman's blow.
, Opening leathern case, on which were II
gold the figures 1878" Krantz took out the
glittering new axe. and taking his aim, with
an almost imperceptible glance, swung thu
weapon aloft and broughtit Kissing down OF
; the band of flesh between the leathern fast
enings and the turned back shirt. Only on'
blow was needed. The blood sprang out o
the immense wound; the neck vanished (s'
It seemed) and there was left the trunk
which twiched spssmodically few times
and the head, which looked as fit had beer
, shorn of just at the chin. A very siigh
contraction or movement OF the skin oil th'
7 forehead was noticeable. The whole opera
ton lasted about two minutes and "A half
coffin was brought out, into which the still
bleeding remains were pitched II was place.
, in hole already dug In corner OF thu
prison yard; the earth was filed In and al
was over.
The axe with which Hodel was bebeadeC
. has been replaced in the museum, In its ole
, place, above the block on which the head
the Burgomaster Tschech executed about ~
years ago for an attempt upon the life o
Frederick William IV.) was struck oil, an'
beneath the thong with which his head Wa
, fastened to the block. An inscription ha
, been placed beside IT, rs follows:
! May n, 1878, Hoedel, journeymnn tinsmith
0 fired, Inter den Linden, revolver ~ III. Nj.
/ William, Emperor of Germany and King O
/ PrurSin. Juiy 10. HOedel condemned q