Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-08-02


persons who now gave their deposi-
tions for the first time, and SO far
from being sworn before giving
their evidence, they waited till two
or three more like themselves had
made their statements, and then
all were marshaled in front Of the
dais together. We stood up
judges, prisoners and spectators
while the witnesses raised their
right hands, and, with the palms
turned inward, the index and sec
ond finger extended, the thumb
stretched out and the third and
fourth fingers closed somewhat af-
ter the Semblance of a cross, pro.
ceeded to repeat after the president
an oath to the effect that before
God their maker, Christ their
Judge, and the Spirit, they had, to
the best of their knowledge, told
the whole truth, neither adding
nor conceahng anything. There
was one young man, a very vigor-
GUS speaker and active demonstra-
tor, who persisted, when handed
Hoedel's revolver, in pointing it at
the president of the court, Just
to show how the prisoner had aimed
at the emperor. "Don't point it at
me-" exclaimed the Judge; "ifs
loaded in two chambers" "All
right, sir" remarked the witness,
"I'll take care" Hoedel held the
revolver just like this" "Put
it down." shouted the usher. "Take
the weapon away from him.
shouted one of the court as the
judge ducked his head in anticipa.
tion of an accident. And the wit
ness was relieved of the pistol and
bundled off to his place without
more ado. As the trial went on |
could but feel that it was terribly
quick work. There could be no
doubt of HoedePs guilt, and the
ten judges were evidently disposed
to finish the business without the
slightest delay. 1t was as though
Hoedel had been tried by machin
cry.
At length the public prosecutor
rises. The same speed which has
characterized all the other proceed
ings of the day enters into the
prosecutors speech. He details tn,
events in a few sentences, devote
the rest Of his remarks to qule
but fOrcible expose of the danger
resulting from such kind of Social
istic propaganda, calls, but in th
most dulcet of tones, for the heay
lest possible punishment upon Hoe
del, and then sits down. Even th,
advocate for the prisoner is brief
"Haye You anything to say foI
YOURSELF" "No, thank YOU" re
plies Hoedel, with another ghastl,
grin; 81 should be very sorry tc
plead before such a tribunalp Th,
judges move off without delay int
another room to consult, and Hoe
delis marched to his cell while the,
decide upon his fate. They are no
gone half an hour when a voice il
court tells of Hoedel's return, anC
directly afterward the judges enter
The black cap is assumed; the pris
oner had scarcely stood up, and th,
judges have scarcely sat down, be-
fore Hoedel is told "In the name o
the King of Prussia, that for th,
crime OF attempting to kill tn
Kaiser William, he shall be be
headed and forfeit all right of cit
izenship." To say that he appear
quite unconcerned is scarcely cor
rect; ne laughs outright Ill
won't laugh quite SO mRch," re
marks the chief of police to me
"when they y"-making a horribly
significant movement with his fin
ger across his throat as he stopped
speaking. "But will they carry tn,
sentence into execution" | asked
"Undoubtedly." The public woulc
linger to see the prisoner depart
but they are briskly and bruSquel,
elected from the apartment whilr
: Hoedels wrists are being chainet
together. He laughs once more a
the iron encircles his flesh, give
another laugh as he is bundled int,
the police van waiting for him, ant
so goes TO the Schloss.