The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-03-31
HANGMAN'S DAY.
FIVE MEN EXECUTED LAST FRIDAY.

The first execution that has taken
place in SNYDER county since it was in.
corporated occurred last Friday at Mid
dleburg, when Jonathan Meyer expiated
on the scaffold his participation in the
murder of old John Kintzler and his
wife Gretchen. The execution was
marked by one of the most remarkable
scenes ever witnessed. A cousin of the
condemned man, who had appeared as
witness against the latter upon his trial,
and was thus indirectly instrumental in
bringing about his terrible fate, sought
to cross examine him on the scaffold,
amid the unrestrained indignation of a
large crowd. Jonathan had always de
clared that he had no hand in the mur.
der of the old couple, although after his
sentence he acknowledged that he had
helped to rob them and burn their dead
bodies.
AT 1925 Sheriff Reichly walked down
the steps of the scaffold and struck the
bolt with his hand; unfortunately two
temporary props had not been removed,
and only half of the trap fell, leaving
tine wretched man struggling on the
other as it bent beneath his weight.
The prop was hurriedly removed and
the body fell with sickening thud.
There was not the slightest tremor of
the body,and as the neck was not disoca-
ted the unfortunate man was slowly
strangled to death. After hanging for
ten minutes Jonathan Meyer was pro-
nounced dead and his body was taken
down and handed over to his brother
Joseph, who buried it on his land in
Adams Township, Snyder Comfy. As
the crowd passed out the jail one man
exclaimed, swell he was the bravest
man / ever saw die"
THE TRoUTMAN MURDERERs.
Frank and Henry Rumberger were
executed at Harrisburg for the murder
OF Daniel Troutman. AS they marched
to the scaffold Henry looked about him
and smiled to an acquaintance from Ly-
kens, and then marched direct for the
door leading to the yard. Frank carried
out his oft-expressed determination to
keep his eyes shut from the time he left
his cell until he "opened them in heaven"
and he looked like walking corpse as
he shambled across the brick floor and
into the yard, led by two ministers. At
the foot OF the gallows Henry looked up
to the blue sky and then at the crowd.
then he stepped nlmbly up the narrow
stairs to the platform and took his place
under the moose. Frank, having his
eyes shut, could not see the stairs and
had to be assisted up dragging his feet
along cautiously, but being not particle
nervous. lie was led to the spot under
the moose and there they stood, reciting
in unison with the ministers the Lords
prayer. This over, Henry looked up,
and catching sight of the dangling moose,
caught hold of it to support himself, an
action that created considerable astonish-
ment among the spectators, Frank nut
tered a prayer in low voice, and then
as Rev Heilman shook him by the hand
he said: "Good bye, God bless you
you have been very good to me" Henry
said the same to Rev. Rinck. Both men
then shook hands, and their arms and
legs were pinioned with straps The
moose was placed over their heads, and a
white cap, like bag drawn over their
faces, and the Deputy Sheriffs leaped
from the platform. As Sheriff Sausly
descended the steps he struck the !
brass knob of the trap. The bar came |
out, the drop fell, and the Rumbergers