Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-04-04
VOLKOVITCH HANGED.
Scenes of the Execution In Wilkesbarre-
Tho Story of Brutal Murder.

Scenes of the Execution In WilkesbArre-
Tho Story of IA Brutal Murder.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, April 3--The sen
tence Of death was executed this morning
upon Adam VolkoVitch, who brutally
murdered Stanislau3 Bio.ki near this city
on the 18th OF August Lost.
The execution was announced to take
place Mt 80 o'clock, but long before that
hour large crowds of people gathered
around the prison and surmounted au ad-
iscent emineuce with a morbid desire to
witness the tragedy. About 200 persons
We're admitted within the Jail walls, in
cluding Sheriff Search, his deputies, men,
bers of the press and twelve jurymen.
At Hos o'clock the religious services,
which had lasted nearly two hours, were
concluded and the announcement was
made that the condemned man was in
readiness. A few minutes later the Sher-
iff and deputies entered his cell and bound
the arms of the prisoner, who was then led
out into the yard where the gallows was
erected. He was supported on either side
by his spiritual advisors. The small pro-
cession moved slowly to the death trap, in
toning prayers. A few words were said by
the Rev. Father Ydoski, of Freeland.
The prisoner was then pinioned, the fatal
moose adjusted and the black cap placed
over his head. A moment later the body
fell three feet or more.
There was hardly quiver Of the limbs
and the execution was successfully accom-
plisbed, Velkoyitch's wife, on bidding
him good bye, tainted, and it was thought
for time she would die.
The crime of which Adam VolkovitCh
was convicted was Of a peculiarly heartless
and cOld-blOoded nature. On Friday, Au-
gust Z, 1887, we'll dressed stranger, wear
irg a gold watch and chain, and having
plenty of money, appeared 10 the village Of
Miners Mills, three miles from Wilkes
barre. He einquired for the house of Adam
Volkovitch, and, being directed there, he
took up mis- abode as all old acquaintance.
During Friday and Saturday evenings he
and Volkovitch were around the village
together on the most intimate terms. Some
drinking WAS done and late Saturday night
VolkovitCh, Oh some pretense, persu sded
his friend, whose name was Stanislaus
Bioski, to accompany him on.a walk up the
railroad towards Pittston.
When about mile and half above
Miners Mills, VolkOyitch drew revolver
and shot Bioski three times in the head
Either shot would have proved fatal.
VOlkOvitch then robbed him of his watch,
chain, coat and money, and returned home,
leaving Bioski lying on the ground. The
revolver he threw into vault, where it was
afterwards found by detectives. The next
morning, about two o'clock, the train
hands found Bioski lying by the roadside
and brought him to Miners Mills, where
he was placed in charge Of the authorities
and afterwards taken to Wilkesbarre Hos
pital, where he died Tuesday, August l6.
In the meantime Volkovitch b I'd fed to
Jersey City, where he was arrested on Sun-
day night, August 81. When the detec-
tives confronted Volkovitch with the tes'
timony against him he confessed to the
killing. His only plea was that he had
slain BoskI in self-defense when suddenly
attacked in quarrel over some trivial
matter. VOlkovitch was put on trial Sep
tember 10, the trial occupying -four dsys
The evidence was conclusive as to the
murder for the purpose Of robbery.
The only support Volkovitch's story re-
ceivcd was the testimony OF his wife. She
testified that Bioski had tried 10 persuade
her to murder her husband aud live with
him. On submitting the case TO The jury
six ballots were taken, which stood IL to
for murder in the first degree, the seventh
being unanimous. An application was
made for a reheariDg, but refused. aud
Volkoyiteh was sentenced October 10. The
case was carried to the Supreme Court, but
that tribunal refused to interfere On
February Is Governor Beaver fixed April
3 as the day Of execution. On Saturday
last, March 81, Volkovitch made a last
appeal to Governor Beaver for respite,
but the Governor refused to interfere with
the course Of the law.