The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-04-04
THE DEATH PENALTY.
Adam VoIkeyitoh Hanged for the
Murder Of His Friend.
HISTORY OF A BRUTAL CRIME.
Astrangor Killed by His Host-Thc
Murderer Meets Death Bravcly.
His Wife FaInts After Bid
Himthc last Farewell.

wILEEsBARRE, Pa, April 3.-The sen
tence of death was executed this morn
ing upon Adam Yolovitch, who brutally
murdered stanislaus Bioski near thil
city on the l4tho August last. The ex'
ecution was announced to take place al
1880 o'clock, but long before that houl
large crowds OF people gathered around
the prison and surmounted an adjacent
eminence with morbid desire to wit
ness the tragedy. About two hundred
persons were admitted within the jail
yard, including Sheriff Search, his dep
uties, members OF the press and twelve
jurymen. AT II :05 the religious services
that lasted nearly two hours were con-
cluded, and the announcement was
made that the condemned man was in
readiness. A few minutes later the
Sheriff and deputies entered his cell and
bound the arms OF the prisoner, who
was then led out into the yard where
the gallows were erected. He was sup
ported on either side by his spiritual
advisers. The small procession moved
slowly to the death trap, intoning pray
ers. A few words were said by the
Rev. Father Ydoski, OF Freeland. The
prisoner was then pinioued, 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 quiyer of the limbs and the ex-
ecution was successfully accomplished.
His wife, after bidding him good-by,
tainted.
THE CRIME.
The crime OF which.. ..Adam Volkovitch
was convicted was of a cold.blooded
and heartless nature. On Friday, Au-
gust /, 1887, well dressed stranger,
wearing gold watch and chain, and
having plenty OF money, appeared in
the village OF Miners Mills, three miles
from Wilkesbarre. He inquired for the
house Of Adam Volkovitch, and being
directed there, he took UP his his abode
as an old acquaintance. During Friday
and Saturday evenings, he and Volko-
witch were around the village together
on the most intimate terms. Some drink
ing was done, and late Saturday
night Volkevitch, on some pretense, per-
suaded his friend, whose name was Stan
islaus Biosli, to accompany him on
walk up the railroad towards Pittston.
When about mile and u half above
Miners Mills Yolkevitch drew revolver
and shot Bioski three times in the
head. Either shot would have proved
fatal Volkovitch then
ROBBED HIS VICTIM
Of his watch, chain, coat and money and
returned home, leaving Bioski lying on
the road. The revolver he threw into a
cesspool where it was afterwards found
by detectives. The next morning about
2o'clock the train found Biosh lying by
the roadside and brought him to Miners
Mills, where he was placed in charge OF
the authorities and afterwards taken TO
the Wilkesbarre hospital, where he died
Tuesday, August 16. In the meantime
Volkovitch had fled to Jersey City,
where he was arrested on Sunday night,
August 81. When the detective con-
fronted Volkovitch with the testimony
against him he confessed to the killing.
His only plea was that he had slain
Bioski in self-defense, when suddenly
attacked in a quarrel over some trivial
matter, VolkOvitch was put on trial
September 10, the trial occupying four
days. The evidence was conclusive MS
to the murder for the purpose of rob
berry. The only support Nolkoyitch's
story received was the
TESTIMONY OF HIS WIFE.
She testified that Bioski had tried to
persuade her to murder her husband
and live with him. On submitting the
case to the jury six ballots were taken,
which stood eleven to one for murder in
the first degree, the seventh being unani-
nous, An application was made for a
rehearing, which wasrefused, and Volko-
witch 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 8 as thesd Of execution. On
Saturday last, March 81, Volkovitch's
counsel made last appeal to Governor
Beaver for a respite, but the Governor
refused to interfere with the course of
the law,