Wichita eagle., 1888-11-22
TRAP SPRUNG.
JAKE AND JOE T0BLER HANGED
YESTERDAY
At the County Jail by the United
States Authorlties---T They Die
Without a Struggle.


for most hienious crime committed by
them over three years ago in the territory.
| They met their death in the manner which
was expected from their past resolutions
and determinations. with an apparent ut
ter disregard and fearlessness that awed
even the spectators familiar with such
scenes.
At an early hour the streets in the vicin-
lty of the Jail were crowded with people.
Some came to the door and sought admis-
sion; others climbed upon the window and
the building, thus hoping to crafty their
| morbid curiosity.
Tickets had, however, been issued and
only those carrying these could
get within the building. The spectators
thus numbered about eighty, including
officials from this and neighboring coun-
ties, doctors, representatives of the press
and Others that represented themselves as
such. They crowded into the main corri-
dor Of the jail, stood upon the steps Or
mounted upon the upper galleries to OBJ
| tain still more advantageous view Of the
execution.
| In the cell upon the east side were con-
| fined the two doomed men. About $50
there came from within through barred
and bolted doors the songs of praise and
words of prayer. They fell with strange
sadness upon the ears of those without and
repressed any feeling of levity. Nearer,
Ny God, to Thee, +" Think of the Home
over There" were songs all had heard be-
fore and under far different circumstances.
When the iron door was at last opened
Mr. and Mrs Gail and Mr.. Harper came
out; it was they who had been conducting
these exercises and they brought the first
intelligence from the cells to those with
out. Mrs Gail said that she had prayed
with them and that they were
prepared to meet their DEATH
''They are able to stand the fearful ordeal
for their sins were all forgiven. MY heart
is happy and full of life, the words of the
younger. joe"
There was now several minutes inter
vened in which the admitted spectators
spent the time looking around over the
Jail inspecting the trap, the ropes and
other machinery for the execution.
Again the door was opened, and the
jailor with the two men came out and
walked across to the cells The boys pass
ed around and shook hands with the pris-
oners and said good bye or some parting
salutation or words of assurance. Then
they passed up around the upper corridors
and did likewise. They had thus an ex-
cellent opportunity to see the scaffold upon
which they were to meet their death and in
going up stairs they seemed to avail them
selves of the privilege offered and scanned
it closely. The floor was laid from one
gallery to another and about ten feet above
the lower floor. In the north end was the
trap, new continuance, recently perfected
by Mr.. Wagner, of this city; it opened in
the center instead of swinging down at one
end as was the case with the gallows
upon which Mosier was hung. A few feet
in the rear was the lever by which the
trap was sprung. In the ceiling over the
trap were three rings and from two of |
these were hanging three-Quarter inch |
ropes with the hangman's loop at the end. |
The third ring was useless on account of
the recent Communication of Thurber's |
sentence by the president. 1t was certainly |
a rather dangerous looking outfit rs
remarked by one of the prisoners This |
platform was reached by a flight of iron |
stairs in the east end of the corridor.
The farewells being thus taken by the |
condemned men of their prison mates |
they were returned to their cells. Il will
let them remain there awhile" remarked |
Deputy Howard, ''for they are somewhat |
nervous and it will not be good plan to
yet read the death warrant to them"
In the interval thus allowed those with
in the walls of the Jail discussed the ap-
pearance and character of the men and all
seemed to think that they would meet
their death without flinching.
Charles Howard, United States Bailiff
billiard and Jailer Ed Darnell entered the
cell, read the death warrant and tied the
arms of the two men. They heard the
warrant through without the least show of
emotion: Jake looked around out of the
cell and seemed somewhat nervous: Joe,
however, paid some attention and the
deputy said that at one time he laughed at
Then commenced the walk for the
Scaffold: Howard in the lead. followed by
the elder Tobler, then his brother and
last the jaiier and the bailiff. The people
down stairs crowded around the two men
and billiard advanced to clear the way and
to ask those upon the stairway to give
room.
Before leaving their cell the Toblers
each shook hands with Thurber, who so
narrowly escaped sharing their fate They
walked up the stairs firmly and rather
rapidly looking around them, they showed
no hesitancy or fear and marched up to
he platform. Joe had pair of shoes upon
his feet and these were at his request
moved by deputy Stillweu Jake sat down | {
lpon the iron railing and Deputy Metcalf
pulled off his boots for him. They then ,
to the center of the trap and
stood erect facing to the north to have their ,
EGGS pnioned. Mrs. Gail at this time COM
nenced praying for the men; all removed I
heir hats and bowed their heads. Joe J
urned to Metcalf and asked that she be /
'equested to stop. This was done and the ,
prayers ceased; although Mr.. and Mrs. i
Iail and Mr. Harper remained kneeling {
lpon the scaffold floor while the further !
preparations were proceeding. I
Deputy Howard asked them if they had {
anything to say or any statements to make.
3oth replied they had not and the black 6
APPS were drawn over their faces. Those {
Who stood near the two men said that the c
Expression upon their face at this time was !
rightful and will never be forgotten. 1t was {
# the depth of sadness and of the most {
orlorn of hope. Tears stood in Joe's eyes
nd even before the cap could conceal his
ace they were seen to roll down his
heck.
1t was now 1925. just five minutes after
he death warrant was read. The time 8
ad seemed, however, triple that and peo- f
lie could hardly trust their watches, so i
low did they seem to move.
Howard had put the loop over Jake's @