The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-27
INDIANAAND ILLINOIS NEWS
Nathaniel s. Bates Hanged at Richmond
for Brutality Numbering His Wife.
Railway Trains in Collision at Elkhart-
Miami County Teachers Institute-Notes
and Gleanings from State Exchanges.
Hanging of Nathaniel s. Bates at Richmond
for the Murder of His Wife.


Hanging of Nathaniel s. Bates at Richmond
for the Murder of His Wife.
Special to tne Indianapolis Journal
RICHMOND Aug 26.-Ths execution OF Bates
occurred promptly at IL o'clock. Not desiring to
take any of the time the priests were devoting
20 his spiritual welfare he did not eat the dinner
prepared for him, but few minutes before the
appointed honr he appeared to say good-b
then, without assistance, he marched to the gal
lows, and easily climbed the steps, where he
stood immovabIe beneath the beam to which he
would soon hang lifeless, while Sheriff German
proceeded with the reading of edeath warrant,
after which he spoke clearly, at considerable
length, expressing contrition for the crime,
generating his wife of the mpu-
tations he had made, making denials
Of other crimes, expressing thanks
etc Then be knelt by the trap for prayers,
after which the straps, rope and cap were ad-
justed, while he exhibited the same wonderful
nerve he has all the way through. aud without q
tremor he stood waiting the jerk of the lever
which dropped him into eternity at 1924 o'clock
There was quiyering of the body, but that was
all, and his death was, no doubt. painless. life
minutes. The corpse was put in the coffin, and
the mass Of people outside the gates admitted.
Nearly 200 witnessed the execution. His
brother. who came from Council Bluffs, will
leave with the body tomorrow, after a funeral
service at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
The maiden name of the woman murdered by
Bates was Catherine e. Hoover, and they were
married at Glenwood, Ia, Aug. IA, 1879. and
lived together at various places in Iowa and Mis-
souri, until she left him-at Council Bluffs, where
be was born Feb. q. 1861 and lived most of his
life--in April, 1884 and came with her two chill
hren to her mother at Hagerstown, this county.
On the Oath of last December he came to Hagers-
town, and she persistently refused to live with
him. On the 23d of last March he found her
alone In her mothers house. and, as he now con-
fesses, accusing her of adultery. choked her
while she begged for her life until she
confessed, he loosening his grip her
throat to allow her to talk and
Tightening it when she attempted to scream.
Finally she made desperate effort to scream,
aud he struck her on the right side of her neck
with all his strength, after which she never
mspoke. Then he carried her to the Kitchen and
Hreturned to the bedroom to kill himself, but had
not the courage. Returning to the kitchen, he
found her not dead. with her head chair.
t6ndstruck her deadly blow with an ax-handle
4rhshing her skull, and, with second resolve to
I'LL himself, returned to the bedroom. Again
went to the kitchen aud found her alive, on her
knees trying to raise her head, whereupon he cut
her throat with his pocket knife.
On Wednesday, May 5. his trial began In the
Circuit Court and continued three days, but the
jury made quick work of returning verdict of
guilty of murder in the first degree and afhxing
the penalty of death. They agreed upon the
verdict the first ballot and affixed the penalty in
loss than an hour but in Difference to the gsavity
OF the charge did not return It for another hour
day, as he has all along said he deserved. but
showing no contrition whatever weakening
in the least, although of late. in conference With
his spiritual adviser, Rev. Father McMullen, of
peptance, and when baptised on Monday after
noon he manifested due earnestness.
Murderer Hobbs Captured in Missouri.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
EVANSVILLE, Aug. 26.-Thomas and Hiram
Hobbs, who murdered Daniel Waller and Hiram
Fultz, several weeks ago, near Bird's-eye, Du-
: bois county. were tracked to Oregon county,
Missouri, where Thomas Hobbs, the father, was
captured lately, Hiram, the son, making his es-
cape Detective Newton. of Dubois county, is
here with Hobbs on his way to Bird's-eye, hav-
Ing caught him on an offer of liberal reward
The old man refuses to eat, and Is vast
Ing away, not having taken any food in
the past Ave days. He is an old
criminal. having killed young man several
years ago in Perry county where no evaded ar
rest for six years, after which he surrendered,
and was tried and sentenced to the penitentiary
fo= six years. While being taken there he over
powered the sheriff and escaped, and after three
more years Of hiding surrendered on condition
Of being given a new trial. This was granted,
and he was cleared. The people in the vicinity of
Birds eye have been appraised of Hobbss
capture and it is believed an effort will
. be made to lynch him. It was re-
ported that the Hobbses were hanged
by mob. They were pursued with blood
hounds, and word came here that they were
caught and lynchsd. but they escaped on account
nof their intimate knowledge OF the country, and
left the State for Missouri. They have numer-
pus relatives in Dubois and Perry counties. and
Exercised terrorism over their neighbors.