The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-02-13
MORNING, FEBRUARY 13, 1885.
HANGMAN,s DAY
In Pennsylyania-Two Executions In That
1 I - Stntn. y

i tla.s State.
PHrIApRLpntA,F Feb. 1e.-Richard Treukl
was hanged in the corridor Of the count,
prison here at 1921 this morning. Thu
crime for which hey was executed was tht
murder Of Augusta zimm, his paramour
and the wife Of his friend. Treuke wanted
the woman to wholly desert her husband
/ which she declined to do. On the NIGH
81 October 7th last, the two met. They
were observed standing talking together
on the street. The man appeared angry
and suddenly drew revolver, which he
fired, the shot taking effect behind Mrs
Zimm's heart, and in few moments she
was O corpse. The murderer declared II
was hisintention to commit suicide, but
his courage failed him.
His counsel, since the time OF the sign
ing OF the death warrant by the Governor
have been unremitting in their attentions
upon him. They left nothing undtne
during the trial to save him from convic-
ton Of the highest grade OF murder. But
the shooting having been witnessed and
the prisoner having made a confession, 1t
was next to an impossibility for then, to
secure q yerdict.below that OF the first de-
gree. The condemned said he was fully
prepared TO meet his awful fate. He was
attended daily by a clergyman OF the
Lutheran denomination, who seemed TO
have won the confidence OF the prisoner.
Treuke possessed a fine tenor voice and
sang at one time with Lucca. He was re-
presented as being cultivated musician,
but, on account OF dissipation, he became
degraded. He then took up the printing
art working as q compositor In several
printing Offices. Finally lie came to New
York, where he was similarly employed,
and next he came to this city, securing
employment in the offices Of two or three
German daily and weekly papers.
The prisoner had a wife and three chill
dren In Germany, and for tho latter he
manifested much affection. From bis
wife he had been separated for some time.
While in prison be had passed considera.
Bile time in singing selections from some Of
the most popular operas.
Treuke arose this morning at daybreak,
and Immediately began reading his Bible.
At six o'clock his keeper brought in break
fast, but the condemned man was too ner.
vous to eat and simply requested glass Of
water. He began pacing up and down the
narrow cell, with hands clasped and eyes
upturned, muttering in German. At 8
o'clock his spiritual adviser, the Rev. Mr..
Schroeder, was admitted, and after con-
yersing with Treuke q short time, he ap.
peared to be calmer. The Rev. Mr..
Schroeder remained with him until ten
O'Clock, when twelve men out OF q group
stepped forward and were constituted
Sheriifs jury, sworn to see the laws awful
mandate carried out. The procession
from the cell was then taken up, Rev. Mr..
Schroeder walking In the lead. Alter
him came the condemned man, dressed
In a neat suit Of black. The column moved
ON, keeping slow and solemn time to the
SHAKEN prayer OF the preacher. Treuke's
steps were unsteady. Lie shuddercd and
looked appealingly at Mr.. Schroeder, and
then from between his pale lips came the
almost inaudible words in the German
Language: Friends, farewell al OF you.
Forgive me all my sins. My life Of dissi.
patton has brought me to this sad end"
The condemned man'R hands were man. |
acled behind his back, but his feet were
left free. The cap was drawn, and at |
1921 A. NJ. the body OF Richard Treuke |
shot into eternity. AT the end OF six min
utes tho murderer was pronounced TO be
dead, but the body, was permitted to hang
FOR twenty-five minutes. Death was caused
by dislocation Of the neck. |