The Newtown bee., 1881-01-12
A WOMAN ON THE GALLONS.
EXECUTION OF MRS. MEIERH0EFFER AND FRANK LAMMENS AT
 NEWARK

EAECuIlON OE mho. uEAcnkhOAa1 ~ AsAs
 AND FRANK LAMMENS AT
 NEWARK.
 The execution at Newark, New Jersey, oi Mrs. Meieh oeffer and Frank Lammens, tramp who had been employed by the victim of the tragedy-ihe woman's husband-to work on his farm is described ss follows py the New York papers: During the morning a marked change was observable Tn the con- duct of Lammens. He had been heretofore ai- most uncontrollably violent. It was not enough for him to make protestations of innocence quietly. He had made them always with the desperation of a man resolved, II he could, to escape the penalty of his crime, at whatever sacrifice oi manhood. He had passed much of his time during the last week in stamping up and down the corridor, which was the limit of his freedom, in yelling like mad- man, and making grimaces through the iron- barred windows at imaginary foes. Soon after midnight he became more subdued, and in the morning was quiet and rational. He would not sleep at all during the night, but paced up aud down the corridor. There were no signs ot excitement in his demeanor, save whom the watchers made reference to the murder. Even on this point he finally con sented to talk, but only to reassert his inno- cence. He smoked his pipe most of the time. In the morning he was visited by the Rev. Father Zelliob. Heretofore he had resented all overtures on the part ot the priest. At breakfast hour he was given porterhouse steak some coffee and rolls, and mince pie. He ate the food, but without apparent relish. Soon afterward he was visited by MT. Charles Borcheling, his counsel ID this gentleman he made anew his declaration ot innocence. He said that on one occasion, in his presence, Mrs. Meierhoelfer had attempted to poison her husband, but had been somehow pre- vented. He threatened to make an hours speech On the gallows.
 Mrs. sMeierhotffePs conduct had all along been in marked contrast with that of her fellow murderer. She warmly protested her inno- cence, and there are persons who were dis posed to accept her story. Shortly alter mid night she tell asleep, and continued to sleep well till about half-past tour o'clock. when she arose and car fully repaled herself for the final scene. She had passed some days in mending and preparing the underclothipg which she was to wear on the gallows. She wore black dress which she said was mark of mourning for her murdered husband. Father Gii ard and a Sister of Charity visited her soon alter she had arisen, and she received the last rites of the Roman Catholic church.
 It was thought that one or the other of the accused might make comics ion of guilt and exculpate the other. Some question was raised, because of this suspicion, as to which of them should first be led to the gallows Arrangements had been made so that if either confessed guilt, the execution of the other should be stayed. Colonel Abeel, the district attorney, sat in Colonel Johnson's office in the jail as witness, through a window op hing into the corridor, of the hanging. He had i'll his pocket a reprieve bearing the great sea of the State and Governor McClellans sig. nature for each of the condemned. In the event of the confession of either exculpative oi the other the reprieve for the one yet un- hanged was to be presented. At ten o'clock Sheriff Van Rensselaer, decided to hang Mrs. Meie1hoeffer first.
 Mrs. Meierhoeffer was pinioned at her cell door, the black cap was adjusted on her head, and the procession took up the march to the gallows at exactly halt-past ten o'clock. As they passed through the sk erif1's office in full view ot the reporters, through the iron barred door admitting to the corridor, she was deathly pale, but walked firmly. Her suit of black made her face the winter by con- trast. Her lips moved as though she was muttering prayer. Sheriff Van Rensselaer, led the procession. Following him was Under.Sher fl Davis. Next camo the Rev. Father Walter, prior of the Benedictine order in citizens dress. Father G rard, wearing bis estments, and the doomed woman cam next he rear was closed by two deputy sherif5. She was led at once under the gal lows. The black cap was drawn down, the rope around her neck fastened to the hook above, aud a minute later the drop fell. The body spraog into the air. The neck had been broken by the fall of the weight. There wa l one convulsive movement ot the body ant | all was over The body was allowed to hang for nearly haH an hour the priest: meanwhile kneeling and praying. Drs Dougherty and Korneman felt her pulse oc- casionally and reported it's beatings from time to time. At eleven o'clock the body wa! | lowered and removed out of sight into al apartment norh h of the corridor, and prepara tions were made for the execution of Lam mems.
 It had been felred all along that Lammen l be necessary to carry him to the gallows. Bu the change in his condcct gave rise to hope more resolute behavior. He received thu announcement that his time had come witt | composure. He asked whether Mrs. Meier hoe1er had yet been hanged, but the sheriff and the deputies returned evasive answers.
 Shortly before halt-past eleven o'clock tho black cap was placed on the crown ot hi head, the moose was adjustel about the neck and q procession again marched to the gal lows. Sheriff Van Rensselaer, and Colone Davis, the under sheriff, were first; nex came the Rev. Fat her Walter. Father Zil liox supported Lammens, who walked tirmi and bravely forward. Lammens took hi position beneath lhe transverse beam, tn rope was fixed to the ring, and a minut later his body leaped into the air liner was but slight movement perceptibie after ward. The chest heaved heavily few times and then all the observable signs of lite wer gone. The body hung for twenty minute
 Snd was then cut down.
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