Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-24
The Stranger ktransled-Execution of
Wheeler.


SAN Francisco January 231.-George a.
Wheeler. who stranded to death Della Till
son in this city on the afternoon Of October
20. 1880, and was subsequently, convicted of
the crime Of murder, was hanged ct the
Broadway jail two minutes before l o'clock
this afternoon.
Father Cottle Of the Catholic Church spent
several hours altogether with the prisoner
yesterday and last night, but he mas had
difficult work in bringing him to the proper
stage OF penitenca necessary to be received
into the Catholic faith, and the holy father
went away last night almost in despair.
The doomed man Wheeler passed restless
night.
Father Cottle was promptly on hand again
this morning, and spent the entire time up to
the moment Of execution with the condemned
man. He is confident that his efforts in re-
gard to Wheeler conversion were successful
At seven minutes to l o'clock the party
came out of the cell and went up on the scat
fold, few feet distant. Sheriff Connolly
lead the way, followed by Wheeler and four
Of the Sharf's deputies. From the vast
crowd in the galleries and the Court below q
low murmur was heard but this was quickly
checked, and all hats were ordered off by the
officials.
Wheeler stood erect, and stepped firmly on
the fatal trap. Deputy Sheriff Mackenzie
pushed him slighty, and be thea moved
mora into the center, into the position de-
sired. He remained firm aad apparently
cool while his arms were strapped to his sides
and his legs fastened together below the
knees. His eyes were looking calmly al tie
crowd Of faces looking at him from below and
around. Contrary TO expectation, he wore q
long Piuce Albert coat, the straps about his
body being fastened over this. Mackenzie
waited moment before adjusting the moose,
and some one said: Have you anything to
say"
Wheeler pressed his lips lightly together,
and then said il low voice - l forgive the
world, and may tie world forgive ne"
Father Costle stepped forward and whis-
pered in his ear, evidently telling him what
TO say. Wheeler then ssii {" l want to die.
en- not afraid to die, 1 am sincere in this"
And then, again being prompted, he said,
ard kissing the crucihx as he said it, Jesus,
into Thy hands commend my spirit"
a deputy behind him Immediately pulled
the black cap over his head. Mckeuzie
stepped up and adjusted the moose carefully,
then moved to one side, eff the trap, waved
his hands, click wss heard, the trap fell
and with it the body Of Wheeler. 1t brought
up with jerk shout two feet belOw the
platform. Not movement of the body was
observable. The neck was stretched TO the
right and blood had rushed to that part Ct
the body. Another low muTmuriEg passed
through the crowd, but this was quickly
flushed. The neck of Wheeler was broken,
and death was instantaneous.
The immense throng outside the jail, when
the news of the execution reached the street,
made no demonstration but remained stand
lug for an hour discussing tha event and
waiting the appearance of the Coroner's box
with the corpse. The street from Dupont to
Kearny was fairly blocked with people, sud
when the undertaker's wagon appeared end
the body was taken so it the crowd followed
for blocks. Those that remained slowly dis.
peraed, and a. o'clock the vicinity wore ice
us1al aDDaarAnce.