Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-01-11
HANGING HORRORS.
BENZ. HUNTER IND MICHAEL FAR
RELL SWUNG OFF.
The Doomed, Men Subjected to Horrible
Torture by Bungling Observation-Disclosures
In the Cobb Trial at Hartford--Miscel-
1aneous Criminal Record.
THE GALLows.
Benjamin Hunter.

CAMDEN, N. j., Jan. l0.-Benjamin Hunter
was hanged at l1:25. Early this morning
crowd began to assemblesbefore the court house
to witness what could be seen of the prepara-
tions for the execution. The place selected for
hanging the murderer was inside of the court
house, at the intersection of the two main COR
ridors, which run into the shape of cross on
the first floor. There was no scaffoId, nothing
being visible of the machinery of death except
long noqsed rope hanging apparently from the
ceiling. In the narrow corridors of the court
room about 2O0 persons, the sheriff's posse,
committees, members of the press and others,
were tightly packed together. Hunter who up
to the past few days maintained sluggish in
difference. was this morning extremely des-
pendent and very nervous. He rose at and
refused to partake of breakfast. At 1890
Hunters pulse was about 100
HIS ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE
by cutting an artery in his leg caused him to
be very weak from the loss of blood. He also
attempted suicide by refusing to eat, but was
kept alive by injections. His pulse at various
county physician proceeded to the cage room
of the condemned, Hunter was very weak
His brother, son-in law, and Rev. DR.. Kunkle-
man, of Philadelphia, were with him. Atll:1S
Hunter, failing to gain strength, and being
unable to walk, was carried down stairs. He
helpless PROSTATE. The white cap
was quickly adjusted and the rope placed
around his neck, four men meantime holding
HIM up-the criminal seemingly oblivious to
all taking place or to those around. The sheriff
put the usual questions whether he had any,
thing to say why the execution should not take
place. Hunter made no reply, and at II :25a
sICKENING SCENE
followed. The rope was too long or stretched 40
much that Hunter was barely lifted from the
floor, when he fell back, but was caught in the
arms of the sheriff's assistant. Then Sheriff
Calhoun seized the rope and hoisted Hunter
into the air and he was thus hanged, number
of persons holding the rope and keeping him
suspended in the air. Physicians said his neck
was not broken and he died by strangulation
yet he gave no evidence of pain. hanging as
though he had died instantly. Three minutes
later, 1872, and at IL 80 the pulse was la. At
1l:37 it was again at 81; at IL :39. spasmodic,
and at IL 40 ceased to beat altogether. At II: O5
the rope was cut, the body was
viewed by the jury and the county
physician gave his certificate. The body was
then delivered to BROTHER Jno. G. Hunter,
who has all a'ong endeavored to secure some
mitigation of the sentence. He will take the
body to the family in Philadelp hia, and from
Hunters former residence it will be buried.
The sheriff's attaches deny that Hunter left
any confession, but it is generally believed he
did. Whatever this confession may be. the an
thefitiee are keeping il, Intending to use il
against Thomas Graham, Hunters accom- plice.
Graham is in a cell on the floor near where the
execution took place, and to all it was visible.
Four or five thousand people filled the
streets around the court house, and it was nee
essary to enclose the entire space with ropes in
addition to the strong force of police,