Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-16
OBSCENE OsTRAHDER.
New York Criminal Faces Death
With 0aths and 0bSOsnity.
Hanging of w. ii. Ostrander at
Utiea-HIstOry of His Brutal
and Unnatural Crime,

UTICA, ~. L =, august Ill ne una
scenes 10 the execution of William
henry 0strander, of West Camden
for the murder OF George Lyman Ost.
rander, his brother, Sunday, Deem
Der 26, 1880, we're remarkably blood
curdling and terrible. All through
the night the prisoner refused to lie
down, and spent his time in playing a
mouth organ, smoking, and denouno-
ing all who had anything to do with
his trial. He refused the ministration
of one clergyman after another, and
declared that they could do him no
good. Not seeing the gallows when ii
was brought to the Jail, Osuander was
firm in the belief that he was to be
taken to Rome from Utica. At IL
ana, seeing the deputies and others
pass the window OF the jail, he declared
that lie was innocent, but was going
down to the scaffJld and would tell
them: - you, cut the rope!"
Rev. DanielW. Blgelow. PreSb terrain
clergyman, was selected by the Sheriff
to attend the prisoner. The parson
made no impression on the wretch.
He said religion was good to the few
who lived up to it, but a harm to
others. Ostrander's profanity aud
obseenity we're nauseating, and at 9
am. he declared that he would go
to hi in q wheelbsrrow, and had
rather be hung than called insane I"
Rev. Mr.. BigeloW, at 8 am, asked
him il be would forgive others.
He said he would not forgive
anyone. He was asked ii be would
ask God to forgive him, and he
said: mo, emphatically no." he was
strapped by the arms 10 his cell, and
staggered toward the gallows looking
pale aud nervous. Sheriff Penfeld
called for prayer, when Ostrander
said: II want no prayers around me-"
Prayer was offered, while the prisoner
looked wild, grated his teeth and acted
as recklessly as byena. When asked
if be had anything to say. Ostrander
began q harsngue which for ineoher-
ence, profanity, Obscenity and deyilish
maligoity has never been equaled.
Omitting references, words and ex
pressions unftfor repetition, Ostrander
said: YES, | have a iew remarks to
make, as you have sent me to the gal.
lows aud done all you could to make
me play up insane-a dirty set Of
back street loafLers. Some OF them are
here. | guess, and they ought to be
ashamed Of themselves. They have
tried to mike me play insane, but |
wouldn't do it, and | am here on the
gallows. You have got me out here,
and | amt afraid 10 take anything.
When | was outside and peaceable
man, did not intend to do any harm.
by mother and others told me a
wrong story and bore false witness.
My mother picked my br1tber's pistol
of the floor, and Johnnie Selden put
it back ia his pocket. That was it.
Gentlemen, | an here like a man-to
step up aad take death like a solid
MuldoOn. As far as murder is con.
cerned, ! am an innocent man. was
attacked by another man who had
pistol in his hand, aud my pistol went
of. | did not intend it to 70 off, but
I had to do it in self defense. AS for
the Governor and the people of the
State Of New York"
Sheriff Pen6eld-Never mind that
OstrsOder Continuing - Didn' t
they send people to keep up fuss and
make me insAne2 The back street
loafers and
Mr.. BigelOw-Please omit indecent
and pro'ane words.
Ostrander-I won't say any profane
words, but | have been misused, and
think it's hard to put me by for moth
ing. You people have passed sentence
and put me on the gallows
Sheriff PeSlsld-You ought not to
use any harsh words.
Ostrander-But as to hanging me
you can do it. Life is no good 10 me.
Hang me, you.
While rafting of this haranpue
very rapidly, 0strauder moved his
body to and fro. When he said he
would die like solid Muldoon,p he
bumped his shoulders aud staggered
around the platform like souRSand
dance man In minstrel show. The
The spectators and officials were dis.
gusted at the scene. Ostrander stood
squarely while his legs were being
strapped, and bent his head 10 receive
the rope. At 1895 the cap was drawn
over his head, and st 1895 the weight
fell. Ostrander was dead in twelve
minutes, and after hanging twenty
minutes the body was taken down.
No relative or friend appeared for the
murderers remains, and they were
taken to the county house lot at Rome
for interment. The execution wa,
oneof the most orderly and perfectly
ARRANGED Of any ever seen in Central
New York.
William Henry 0strander, the vic
tim of this execution, shot and killed
his brother, George Lynn IN Ostrander
aged about "A years. at the home Of
their father, solomon 0strander ,about
/ q mile east of the village of Wesi
Camden, Oneida county, on the Rome
and WATERFOWL road, Sunday. Decem
Der rs, 1880, about2 D IN. The Iami
y on that day consisted of the parents
William Henry, then about u wear
old; George Lyman, Samsntha' the
drudge" Carrie and Viola, interest,
ing girls il their teens, and Stephen
who lived in Terrysville, LitcbGeld
county. Conn, where George LYMAN
vas also employed as a driver of an
express wagon William was rouph
uncouth, ignorant bully Of the cV,,n
tr7 village, small in stature, but very
powerful and athletic. and .
hrst class wrestler, He worked
when compelled to, bat spent most Of
hts time chiefly in smoking and loahaQ.
Sunday after Christmas, William
rubbed tobacco paper and potato
oaarasgu ~ n.-etafa ~