The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1885-02-19

II
Beach, at HOnidaysburg, Pa, Richard
TrenGe, at Philadelphia, Pa and Ligs
Parker and Rush johnson at Little Rock
Ark.
A WIFE MURDERER.
HoLLIDAYsBURGH, Pa, February 12.-
Notwithstanding the extreme cold weather
the thermometer registering several de-
grees below Zero, hundreds of strangers
nOcked into town this morning to
witness the execution OF DR.. Beach for
the murder of his wife in April last Rev.
Millinger visited Beach in his cell yester-
terday afteInOOn, and together they spent
several hours in prayer. Beach said he
had repeatedly contemplated self-destruc-
tiOn, but was now glad he had not done
so as he was perfectly resigned. He pro-
fesSed to have made peace with his Maker.
The reverend gentleman left him about
midnight and from that hour until six
O'Clock a. m. the condemned man slept
sOundly. He then arose and carefully
prepared to partake of breakfast.
At l 80 the death procession emerged
from the jail yard and walked toward the
scaffold.- First came Sheriff Fay, Deputy
Sheriff Metz following; then the con-
demned man. Beach showed remarkable
nerve. He walked firmly, ascending the
scaffold without assistance. When upon
TIC 1dLhl uEOps lie MS 1GCL duu
calmly surveyed the crowd. His calmness
continued while his legs were being
strapped. His arms had already been
bound.
Rev. Killinger then read a statement
prepared by Beach to the effect that when
retiring the night previous to the murder,
he and his wife were on most affectionate
terms. The crime was not premeditated.
He admitted his guilt, but claimed that
Aha1 1na = 80, h., ,ecn ~,Fv
cine taken previously. He forgave his
enemies as God forgave him.
After the reading, the rope was placed
aroUAd his neck, the black cap adjusted,
and at the conclusion of a brief prayer
the trap was sprung at l :37 p. m. There
were few twitches and all was over. 1t
was one of the best conducted executions
on record.
MRS. ZIEIM'S SLAYER.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, February 12.-
Richark Trenke, the murderer of Mrs.
Augusta Zimm, arose this morning at
daybreak and Immediately began reading
the Bible. At six O'Clock a keeper
brought his breakfast, but the condemned
man was too nervous to eat. He simply
requested glass of water, and began
pacing his narrow cell, with his hands
clasped and his eyes upturned, muttering
in German.
At eight O'Clock his spiritual adviser,
Rev. Schroeder, was admitted, and after
cOnversing with Trenke a short time, he
appeared to be calmer. Rev. Schroeder
remained with him until ten O'Clock, when
twelve men stepped forward, who were
constituted a Sheriff's jury, sworn to see
the laws mandates carried out.
The procession from the cell was then
taken up, Rev. Schroeder taking the lead.
After him came the condemned man,
dressed in a neat suit of black. Trenke's
steps were unsteady. He shuddered, and
looked appeaingly at Schroeder, and then
from between his pale lips, came the al
most inaudible words in the German Ian
guage: "Friends, farewell. Forgive me
my sins. Dissipation has brought me to
this end.'
The condemned mans hands were
manacled behind his back, but his feet
were left free. The cap was drawn, and
at 10:2I this morning the body shot
through the trap door. At the end of
dead. The body was permitted to hang
twenty-five minutes. Death was caused
by dlslOcation of the neck.
PAIR OF THEM.
LITTLE Rock ARK, February I2.-
Rush Johnson and Lige Parkers (col-
Cred) expiated the crime of murder on
the gallows here to-day. The execution
took place in the Jail yard inclosure in
the presence of 200 people, only those
holding passes being admitted. A
great crowd gathered around the inclos-
ure, while many gained view from the
surrounding trees and house-tOps. The
culprits spent the night In devotional ex-
ercises, and they were Joined by four min
listers this morning.
At the conclusion of the usual religious
ceremonies on the scaffOld both the con-
demned men shook hands with the Sheriff
and thanked him for his kind treatment
during their Imprisonment. Each then adj
dressed the crowd. Neither referred to
his crimes. johnson said: "Good bye.
/ hope to meet you all in Heaven" While
being pinioned he shouted: 81 am being
hung unjustly; men can do many thing
on earth, but there will be a day of reck-
oning for them"
Parker said, "I am prepared to die and
am going to Heaven.
DEATH IS NO DISGRACE
when you die in the Lord"
The trap was sprung at ~ :05. The
pulse ceased in eight minutes and they
were pronounced dead at 1920. John
sons neck was broken and he died with
out a struggle. Parker struggled slightly.
WHY THEY HANGED.
In May last Johnson came up in the
dark to the store of John Wall and fred
on him with a pistol, instantly killing
him. Wallis offense was that he had
elected drunken woman from his store,
who was Johnson's mistress. Lige Par
ker assassinated Louis G.. Fox, cotton
merchant, in December last. The crime
was very similar to Johnson's except that
the OBJ iect was robbery. Fox was alone
I'm his Office writing when Parker slipped
in and shot and killed him, and then
robbed the safe. He finally confessed the
crime.