Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-09-28
THE HEADMAN'S AXE.
THE BARBARoUs MANNER IN WHICH
HoEDEL WAS BEHEADED.


The correspondent of the New York
World writing from Berlin, thus de-
scribes the mode which Germany used
TO punish Hoedel for attempting 10 take
the Emperors life:
Tie prisoner, conducted by three
wardens, walked with firm step TO the
foot of the scatfold and stared impudent-
ly around at the assembly. Councillor
. Holman, who was charged with sup
erintending the execution, took his place
az table and read Loudly the sentence
of death and the death warrant.
At the conclusion Hoedel spat upon
the ground and cried "Bravo!" The
magistrate now turned to tall, strong
! ly built man, about thirty-fve years of
age, handsome, with small moustache
and neatly, indeed elegantly attired in
fine linen shirt with waistcoat and
trousers 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 of dog-catcher to
the city, was not longer equal to the
serious labor os striking off a mans
head at a blow, and so passed over his
axe-or rather duplicate Of his axe
to the younger man.
No such implement having been
needed for more than decade, the de-
partment of justice found itself com
PEELED to resort to the Market Museum.
An axe had been ordered year ago by
the director of the museum, an exact
duplicate of that Reindel had employed,
and which the museum was unable 10
secure, owing to the fancy price the old
headsman place upon his weapon.
This axe was borrowed, Herr Gross
man, the cutler, of whom one had been
ordered, being unable to get one ready
in time. 1t is large weapon, good
deal like butchers cleaver in appear
ance, with very keen, straight edge.
1t was ground to the sharpness OF Ia
zor the afternoon before the execution.
Holding up the warrant that the heads
man might see the Crown Princes sig
nature, Councillor Holman said to HIM,
"Note this document, and now re-
ceive from me the tinsmlth, Emil Hem
rich Max Hoedel, delivered TO YOU to be
beheaded"
"Come this way," said the headsman
to Hoedel, who ran lightly up the three
steps leading TO the platform and threw
off his coat and waistcoat. AT this mo-
ment the chapel bell began tolling, he
gazed in its direction, and then looked
around upon those present with an
ironical sneer.
Throwing down his braces, Hoedel
began to unbutton his shirt, but could
not unfasten one of the buttons. One
of the wardens went to his assistance
and turned it down beneath his shoul
ders, leaving the neck and the upper
part of the breast bare. Meanwhile
two othe keepers had tied the condemn
ed mans arms and ankles.
They then carried him, pinioned and
helpless, to the block, which was one
of stout hard wood, with hollow to
receive the neck, painted blood red.
Lying him on it face downwards, a
strong leathern bank was fastened over
the back of the head, so that it could
not move, and clearly defined mark
was offered for the headsman's blow.
Opening leatherr case, on which
were in gold the figures "SS7S", Krantz
took out the glittering new axe, and
taking his aim with an almost imper-
ceptible glance, swung the weapon and
brought it Kissing down OIL 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 it seemedD
and there was left the trunk, which
twitched spasmodlcally few times, and
the head, which looked as if it had been
Shorn off just at the chin. A very slight
contraction OF movement Of the skin OF
the forehead was noticed.
The whole operation lasted about
two minutes and half. A coffin was
brought out, into which the still bleed
ing remains were pitched; it was placed
in hole already dug in corner of the
prison yard; the earth was filled in, and
all was over.