The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-10-18
THE EXTREME PENALTY.
A Murder for PaItry Gain Expiated-The
Execution of Sam Mcdonald at Fort
Wayne, Ind, for the Murder of Louis
Laurend, of ArcOIa.

Murder for Paltry Gain Expiated-The
Execution of Sam Mcdonald at Fort
Wayne, Ind, for the Murder of Louis
Laurend, of ArcOIa.
FORT WAYNE. IND, October 9.
The execution of Samuel Mcdonald for
murder of Louis Laurend at Arcola took
place in the Jail Enclosure to-day. Melon
aid was in counsel last night until three
O'Clock this morning with his spiritual adj
visers, Fathers Brammer and Hartman, of
the Catholic Church. At that hour he
threw himself on his bed and slept soundlt
until seven O'Clock this morning. He ate
hearty breakfast, and at eleven o'clock this
morning was again visited by the priests,
who remained with him until the execution.
At noon the gates were thrown open to
those holding tickets. Two hundred and
siXty-three were admitted and witnessed
the execution, the first for twenty-eight
years in this county. At LEO o'clock the
procession entered the Enclosure, headed by
Sheriff Schiefer, followed by the condemn
ed man, supported on one side by Deputy
Sheriff Doyle and on the other by Fathers
Brammer and Hartman. When Mcdonald
came in view of the Scaffold his eyes drop
ped to the ground, but when he came to the
steps he assembled them with a firm tread
and faced the audience. Sheriff Schiefer
Il
When he closed, and before he could ask
Mcdonald if he had anything to say, the
latter addressed the audience, saying:
"Gentlemen, [ have nothing to say. ]
have nothing to say at all; only l hope God
will forgive me. Good-by, all of you"
His arms were then pinioned and his
limbs strapped. He then turned to the
priest to kiss the crucifix. The black cap
was placed over his head and the deputies
stepped back to let Sheriff Shiefer press the
spring with his foot. The drop fell at 20.
The body turned twice and then hung mo-
tiOnless for minute, when slight contOr.
tions were visible and attempts to move the
arms and limbs were made. The drop was
six feet. At Al life was pronounced ex.
tinct by the physicians in attendance. On
examination the neck was found to be dis.
located. After the body was cut down it
was coffined and taken to the home of his
parents, in Arcola, for burial. Not an &C.
cident happened during the ordeal. Cal
houn street for three blocks from the jail
was so denSely crowded that all attempts
to get through the crowd were abandoned.
Over 10000 country people We're in town.
most of them from Arcola and Lake Town.
ships, the scene of the tragedy. The father
and brother of the murdered man occupied
front seats in the Enclosure and watched
the entire proceeding. McDonald's brother
was also in the Jail, but he did not see the
hanging. The fire department were out
and were on top of the Jail walls, and with
their hose kept the curious crowd from off
the tops of adjoining buildings. The entire
police force were on hand and surrounded
the jail-yard. Mcdonald was twenty-nine
years of age. His mother has been with
him nearly all the time for the last few
DAYS, but had her last interview with him
yesterday. The remains will be buried to-
morrow on the farm of his parents near
Arcola. Although Mcdonald made no di.
rect confession, the words used on the scat.
fold and to others that no one was guilty of
the crime but himself are virtually an ad.
mission of his guilt.