Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1879-04-08
HANGING, SHOOTING AND RE-
HEADING.
View York Times.

AnC A5Hidi DJ tbe supreme IaJurL
Of the United States Of the murderer
Hilkerson's appeal from sentence Of
death by shooting will call attention
to the fact that the laws of Utah give,
and are probably the only laws now
existing which do give to the con-
demned a choice as to the death be
shall die, the choice being confined to
hanging, shooting and beheading.
The privilege Of so limited a choice as
this will seem but cruel kindness to
any one rejecting how much painful
thought goes to the making of de-
cision ON questions arising out of
events even little out Of the ordii.a-
ry course Of life, such as determining
on a speeuletive investment, for liz
stance, but which fade into insignif-
canoe when conn ared with the grin,
alternatives amoE G which Utah crini-
mails make their choice. 4 native
statesman" ohce gave 1t as his ma
tured opinion that, while some kinds
of whisky were better than others.
there was no bad whisky. Converse
ly it may be said that there is no
pleasant way to die, a possible excep-
ton being indicated by the testing
criminal who, when given a more ex-
tended choice than would have been
allowed him in Utah said that he
would die of old age. 1t is plain
enough why Wilkerson objected to be-
ing shot; most men would; but it is
not SO clear why he would have IRE
ferred to be hanged or beheaded. The
guiliotine never bungles, il is true:
but, having informed himself upon the
subject, he could scarcely have been
ignorant Of that French case in which
the eyes of a victim of the deadly
machine turned toward a bystander
who called the name Of their former
owner. And if, as is more likely. he
had lost his head by the ak OF sword. he
must have had awful visions of the
lips Of poor Mary Stuart, which are
said 10 have moved in prayer several
minutes after the bungling headsmau
had made his last stroke. here IS
more to be said in tavor of death bv
hanging, Andres case proves 1ha;
the time has gone by wLca mode of
death can confer intamy; tine dis
grace attaches to the performance If
the shameful act, and not at all 10 the
mode of its exp;ation. 1t is true thar,
although here are many hang;ngs in
the United States. they are yet So
evenly distributed among 4 large
numher Of sheriffs that scarcely any
of these are mere than amateurs. But
man who survived the rudest form
Of hanging by mob Of lynchers has
described sensations as being almost
enviable, 50 that it is p ssible that
to be skillfuIly hanged is unalloyed
pleasure. Aud 1t is so impossible to
say what insane hopes of life a con
:emned man may have, that Wilker-
son may have based choice in favor
Of hanging on the belief, al one time
quite general, that electricity viii
revive a man Killed by hanging. Geo.
Washington, whose execution was,
strangely enough. reported on the
birthday OF his namesSke, certainly
thought so. and left his body 10 the
doctors, in the hope of renewed lie.
But electricity. inhalation of oxygen.
and TRANSMISSION of blood all failed
1t mast be said, however. that a strong
shock applied directly 70 III. body Of
the brain did cauSe contortions of his
face and slight movement Of his ek-
tremi,ies; but they only distantly re
semh,ed the movement of life. not
spa,l- - ,.-htch .~fs..,.l ~. ro,,l1 Iva 70