Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-04-23
The Italians Executed.

The two Italians, Santore and Capone,
convicted of the murder of Pasquale Cascia,
in Burr's woods, Brewer, on September I,
1883, were duly executed Friday, in the
Prison yard at Thomaston. The three men
were employed as laborers in the cons,ruc-
ton fthe Shore Line railroad and the only
incentive to the crime appears to have been
a desire to obtain small sum Of money
which the victim was known to possess. The
Portland Press gives the following particu-
lars of the execution:
At ten minutes before II O'Clock the
criminals, accompanied BY three priests and
two Italians. who have frequently visited
them and acted as interpreters, were con-
Quoted to the scafcld by the sheriff and his
assistants, placed upon the drop and their
necks encireled BY the ropes. They we're
clad in short blouses and trousers of black
alpaca. and we're secured with cords which
fastened their arms and wrists to their sides.
Santore was somewhat pale and anxious
looking, but bore himself with perfect stead
mess. Around his lett wrist was his rosary
where ne had requested the priest to tie IT.
A. soon as he reached his place he began TO
talk, and continued making remarks. some
times IN loud voice. and calculating short
prayers most of the time until the fata,
moment. Several times he exclaimed that
lie forgave ever, body his words being
translated for the witnesses b, the priest
Once he said. II stand in the place OF the
a.sassins. The court has sentenced me, and
Yield to the provisions of the law" Sc ing
a certain officer of the prison ia the group
Of spectators IN front of the gallows, he
called HIM by name and said Good bye"
lie made the responses in the religious
service in a clear and distinct voice. Neither
he nor hls companion made any confession
of guilt but 1t is noticeable that. while
hitherto both have been loud in their pro-
testaiions of innocence, this morning neither
claimed this
Capones face wore an expression which
was almost contemptuou, smile. lie
seemed utterly unconcerned. and acted a. If
he really thought that the whole proceeding
vas merely an attempt to brighten HIM into
confession. He was perfectly silent, tx-
cept when the priest spoke TO him. and
asked his attention to portion of he ser
given in low tone and an unfeel.ns man
ner The men did not even exchange
siance>. seeming indifferent to each Others
presence. While the officers were fs>icn-
iug their thighs and leg, with coris. the
clvrg,men read the Commentary ANNA.
the service for the diving
lhe sheriff adjusted the noo>e~ 81 that
tie knots came directly under the left ears.
drawing the cords only moderately tight
The black caps. or rather bags. were drasu
over the heads Of the doomed men and tied
with strings. the littlr NO den box which
had concealed the splmg holding the drop
IN place was removed. and the sheriff SAID
In obedleucr To the warrant Of the Gov
ernor, now hang YOU by the necks unit
YOU are dead. dead. dead ami may God
have mercy on Nogr soui> lie pressed
the spring with his foot. the drop fell. aud
Instantly the muyletr.> were eight feet be
low, twisting al the end, of the ropes
Twice within two minutes there was sight
drawing up Of Capoue'> knees, hot Ssutore
moved not muscle. For eight minutes the
pulse Of Saatare beat distinctly a, first he
lnc accelerated. and then diminishing IN fie-
q1eney until 1t ceased altogether Capaue,
pulse was similarly affected. but continued
little longer. At the end of ten minnie,
no pul>ltlon Of the heart could he detected
IN either Of the men, hu, they were allowed
70 hang until twenty minutes had elapsed.
hen they were pronounced dead by the
physicians. The bodies were then lowered
into the collins the BLACK cap, being allowed
10 remain. concra':n- The possibly distorted
features
A, soon a. the hearts had stopped brAtin-
Father bonlfacr read the Catholic service
for the dead
Half an hour after the toucn on the spring
the company OF thirty tge people who VII
messed the hanging had dispersed and the
victims Of the legal killing were enclosed IN
their collins. Death occurred IN both cases
in>'antaneously. and il l. probable tina, then
nech> were broken By the fall. Tie rop,
I,ed tad a circumference Of orc inch and
half, but this was reduced the eighth Of AZ
nch by the strait To which it was subjected
Great credit j. due to Sheriff Irish Tor the
successful performance Of this legal tragedy.
The bodie, not being claimed b, friends
have been given to the Maine Medical
School at the request Of that institution.