Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-11-13
LOCAL LINES.
Anschlag's Hangman Has
Arrived in Town.
READY FOR THE EXECUTION
Rival Railroad Companies Warning
Over Crossing ON the Santa
Monica Route.


of Anschlag, the murderer, arrived in
the city Sunday and has begun prepara.
tions for the affair of next Friday. Mr..
Cline is veteran in the art and under
his supervision the coming execution
will doubtless be successfully managed.
He has witnessed thirty two hangings
and has assisted in sixteen OF that num-
ber. A carpenter by trade and a me-
chanic by instinct, Mr.. Cline has made a
specially OF the construction of scaffolds
for hanging and from that has become
an adept in the arranging of events of
that character.
MIR. Cline was seen yesterday by a
representative Of the HERALD, who asked
about the preparations which were on foot
in the little yard to the rear of the Jail.
"We have our plans all laid, but have
not actively begun operations as yet,'
answered Mr.. Cline. "By Wednesday
we shall be able to show you exactly how
the affairs will be conducted. We are
stretching the rope. l will show you
how that is done," and the executioner
led the way to the upper story of the Jail
where large white cord of fine thread
was pulled out over block and tackle.
whenever it slackens stretch it tighter
80 that in the end it may be quite free
from elasticity or disposition to twist.
1t is one of the best cords l ever saw
used for such purpose. The scaffold
has been used before here at Los An
geles for Baynton about two years ago and
for Silvas and Martinez nearly three
years ago. 1 managed those hangings
About four years ago / superintended the
hanging Of Billy Mcdowell at San Ber-
nardino.
81 am an old-timer in the State" con-
tinued Mr.. Cline in answer to the repor-
ter's question. 81 came out here in 1850,
and have only been out of California but
once since. came here to Los Angeles
in 1858, and located out at Ell Monte. l
lived for time in the northern part of
the State, and was in the employ of the
Central Pacific Railroad Company. In
1869 l located at Rincon, in San Bernar-
dino county. where 1 have been ever
since. Most of the men that have seen
hang have died game, and those whose
execution have superintended have all
done 80. Billy Mcdowell murdered q
woman by the name of Maggie O'Brien.
I think he disposed of her for fear she
would betray him in some villainy. He
took death as coolly as another man woulC
have taken a good meal. Baynton was
firm in the belief that he deserved
hanging. and was quite willing to take
his punishment like man. Silvas and
Martinez were not so firm, but the exc
cution was on the whole smooth one
As to this man," the old man shrugged
his shoulders, II don't like his looks. l
am inclined to think he will weaken
However, we will make the best we can
Of the business, and l think if careful
preparation avails anything, it will pass
off in creditable manner"
AprOpes of the hanging Of Anschlag,
Sheriff Kays remarked yesterday that he
wished it was understood that only 8
limited number could be admitted, and
that the invitations had all been disposed
of, so that no more could by any means
be provided for. The Sheriff, who is
one OF the best natured men alive, is
pestered almost to death in these
days by persistent horror hunters, who
are determined to gain an admission
to the hanging, if ceaseless begging can
do it. The only possible answer which
can be given to all such requests is q
negative, and the limitless patience Of
Mr.. Kays is almost exhausted in an
effort to find an agreeable but emphatic
way of expressing the said negative.
Anschlag has put in most of his time
during the last four or five days reading
the Bible and weeping. He was accus.
toned to get good deal of consolation
out of the Scriptures, until few days age
he happened upon a very unpropitious
statement in the book of Deuteronomy
twenty first chapter, twenty-third verse
'For he that is hanged is accursed oil
God" Since he came upon that passage
his grief has been quite uncomfortable
Prof. U. S. G. Click, however, has pointed
out to him othei passages in the Scripture
which take away the sting of the one in
question.