The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-31
MENTAL MISERY.
Heilwagon the Convicted
Murderer In Jail.
The Change that has Occurr'
ed in his Demeanor.

| his own daughter-in-law Dora whose tria
and conviction occurred last week in the
criminal court, is gradually breaking
Down. The stolid Indifference as to the
| outcome of his trial which he has so per
sistently manifested when approached OF
the subject, is disappearing, as he begins
| to grasp the idea that his execution is one
of the events Of the near future. He still
| maintains his innocence of the crime ~fol
| which he will suffer death, when he con
verses on that topic, and has never allowed
a word to pass his lips, since his imprison
ment that would. in the least, implicate
him in the cold hlooded murder. 1t is ev
| ident from his demearor since his convic
| ton, that he labored under the impression
| that no such severe penalty would be
| melted out to him. He evidently thought
! life imprisonment would be the most severe
punishment that could be inflicted
THE VERDICT
itself, when delivered to him in open
court last Saturday, did not have that de-
pressing effect upon him that was antic-
ipated. It took him by surprise, and as
he expressed it, it was too bad, too bad, but
he stood it, and conducted himself with the
same determination that has characterized
all his actions from the time of his incar-
ceration last September until the com
mencement of the trial.
The first time that any visible breaking
down of this logged determination on his
part was manifested occurred Saturday
afternoon. The turnkey under instructions
from the sheriff locked him up in cell.
That official told the prisoner that it was
done for precaution, and q close watch
would have to be maintained until after the
execution. This had its effect upon the
murderer. He became visibly affected,
and marched into the cell, in detected
manner. Saturday night the sheriff told
the convicted prisoner that in the future
his food would be of those articles which
he particularly fancied, and asked He'll
wagon if he had any choice as to the kind
of meat which served for his meals.
The old man fully appreciated this i'm
port of the act, and refused to accept any
delicacies. He said that he wished to be
treated as one of the common prisoners
and did not want any favors extended to
him in that line. He said he had stood
the prison fare before his trial, and knew
he could survive on that kind of board as
long as he was permitted to stay in the
jail.
SUNDAY MORNING.
Heilwagon refused to leave his cell
which is the second cell of the lower tier
fronting east He was told that two
special deputies had been engaged to watch
him day and night, and that he would be
allowed to go into the corridor and take
what exercise he needed. He refused to
come out, although the door was left open
during the entire day. Ie spent most of
enjoyed with the same relish has been
the case in the past He took only
small amount of meat and bread, and re-
turned the preserves and other delicacies
untouched. During the morning he asked
the Sheriff to bring him Saturdays ARGUS
He read the account of his own trial and
conviction, but made no comments after
completing its perusal-
He looked pale and haggard during the
day, and has evidently suffered mental I'M
easiness since the termination Of the trial
ASKING A FAVOR.
Sunday afternoon Sheriff Ankrum passed
by his cell, when Heilwagon asked him to
come in. The Sheriff complied, when
Heilwagon said, Sheriff I suppose you
will have to hang me when the day comes
round, won't your
The person addressed confessed that the
law made it obligatory upon him or his
deputy to execute the death sentence.
''Oh, don't blame, continued the pris-
oner. you are only doing your duty,
and cannot blame you for that"
The sheriff said that was about the right
way to look at it, as it was not the man
but the officer who was obliged to obey the
law.
luCTo ID Que ldfOI L Wall W ash YOU
'tName it." said the sheriff.
ri want my execution to be public
one, as / want to tell something | know.
The sheriff explained to the prisoner
that this request could not be granted, as
the criminal laws of Illinois did not allow
any execution to be public. The same
official further explained that there would
be number of persons admitted to theex-
ecution. which appeared to satisfy the con-
victed man. who simply said: Well
know you win do your duty, and 1 can't |
blame you for doing it. |
MONDAY
.he prisoner requested the sheriff not to |
allow anybody to visit him in the jail, as
.he sheriff had informed him that num-
per of persons had requested permission to
zee the prisoner.
During the entire time that he was in
all from the early part of September until
lis conviction but two persons, outside of
he newspaper men have ever visited the
all to see him. One of these was A. 1
Neckle of Moline. and the second was
frip1-py who keeDs a enuutrv af,ro moor