Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-08-10
@Slgg5S sz565
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES.
DOJJBLE EXECUTION.
Hanging of Maxwell and Landgraf

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 10.-This morning dawn
ed clear and cool and as the first light of
Maxwell's last day on earth entered his
narrow cell, it heightened the sickly pallor
of his face which had increased during the
night. At few minutes before FIVE Max.
we'll performed his morning ablution and
donned his funeral clothes which were new
from the skin out, the outer garments being
of plain black with a neatly fitting Prince
Albert coat. At 5:1S Father Than arrived
and entered the cell, the door of which was
closed, and those within the jail moved
away to give all the privacy possible. Father
Than then administered communion to the
condemned At the conclusion of the re.
ligious services in Maxwell's cell, like Offices
were accorded Henry Landgraf by Father
Than. Landgraf had occupied his cot the
greater portion of the night after 11:3O and
appeared cool and collected. He was neat.
ly attired, but his apparel was OF coareer
texture than that of the principal actor in
the double execution. While the Father
confessor was administering the commun-
ion to the condemned the deputy sherifs
were engaged or the scafold preparing the
apparatus for it's work. At $50 Maxwell
and Landgraf sat down to their final meal
which had been prepared by the iailer's
wife. Each was served with like dishes and
the breakfast consisted offried oysters, fried
eggs, hot biscuits, and pan cakes, with jelly,
bread butter and coffee. Landgraf ate hearth
ly, while Maxwell partook OF the repast
quite sparingly. AS he sat at the table 1t
was plain to see that all of his assumed it,
difference had departed aud his face was
blanched while troubled, hunted look had
taken possession Of his keen eyes, He was
evidently growing weaker and had lost all
hope of staying the executioner's hand.
Laudgraf maintained the same old stolid
look
At 6:05 Sheriff Harrington arrived at the
all and announced that the execution had
been postponed two hours. The only reason
assigned was that the postponement had
been granted at the request of Maxwell's
attorneys Sheriff Harrington also stated
that under the law then could be hanged
at any time between the hours of z and II
O'Clock and that they would leave their cells
at o'clock.
At SAT Sheriff Harrington preceded by
detail of police, entered the inner yard of
the Jail, and the sheriff entered Maxwell's
cell, where he and Lsndgraf had been placed
together, and announced that the final mo-
meut had arrived. Maxwell paled and pull
ed his 6ugers nervously. His was the first
death warrant read, and he stood up and
beard his doom calmly though he was plain
~ growing weaker all the time. While his
arms were being pinioned Maxwell bit his
lower lip and gulped several times. Land.
graf received the warrant and pinioning as
man we'll could The procession 10 the
scafold was then formed, Father Than
walking between Maxwell and Landgraf,
preceded by Sheriff Harrington and depu-
ties and followed by the police, reporters
and witnesses AS Maxwell passed through
the inner yard be walked firmly but slowly.
There was wonderful change from the sp
parently uncopcerned man putting cigar
cite and the one en- route to his death. His
face looked piuohed and drawn, of ashen
hue. and his eyes were swollen. He glanced
about him piteously. His lips twitched and
his appearance was calculated to awaken
the pity of even those who were firmly con.
WINGED he ought to die. Landgraf
looked and moved like log, with half
smile and half sneer on his face. There was
no time lest in reaching the scafold, which
the condemned men assembled without as
sistance. Maxwell was placed under the
moose next to Twelfth street. Father Than
read prayers. Maxwell was then asked If
be had anything to say and in an almost in
audible tone responded, "No." Landgraf
merely shook his head. The black caps
were being drawn when Landgraf slipped
backward but promptly recovered. There
was an awful look of despair on Maxwell's
face as the cap hid it from view and his knees
showed weakness. The nooses were adjusted
quickly, and at 1856 the drop fell. Land.
graf never moved nor did muscle witch
Not SO with Maxwell. When he fell his
breast heaved convulsively and his limbs
were drawn upward, while the spectators
we're shocked by stream OF blood pouring
down the right breast of his coat, which was
afterwards found to have been caused by 8
cut on the nose Inflicted by the rope in some
mysterious way. Landgraf was pronounced
dead 10 III minutes. MaxWell's struggles |
continued for IA minutes, when he, too,
was pronounced dead by the attending
physicians. Landgrai was cut down at 9:12;
Maxwell at 9:15 The bodies were removed |
to the morgue Office ard photographed, af.
ter which the post mortem was commenced. |
r. waa stated by the physicians that the |