Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-08-24
FOUR WOMEN SLAYERS
PAY THR PENALTY OF THEIR MURDER
0uS CRIMES.
A Quadrupls Hanging in the New York City Prison.
A Terrible Scene On One Of the Scsfolds.
Murderer Dies Bias
phsming.


Jack Lewis (colored). James Nolan an d
Ferdinand Csrolin-were hanged in the
yard Of the Tombs Prison this morning.
There were two scaffolds, and two men
were hanged on each. Packenhsm and
Nolan were frat executed on the scsffOld
which had been erected on the Franklin
street side Of the prison. The drop fell at
6:55 o'clock. Eight minutes later Lswis
and Csrolin were hanging from the scat
fold on the Leonard street side.
THE MARCH TO THE sCAFFOLD.
At 654 two of the condemned men,
Packenham and Nolan, emerged from the
Jail accompanied by the priest. Father
Prendergast supported Packenham and
Father Gelinas walked alongside of Nolan.
The procession brought up with Father
Van Rensselaer,. The arms of the condemn
ed men were pinioned and over the shoul-
der of each hung the black cap, with its
long, streaming ribbon Tapping in the
wind. Packenham's face WAS of CHASTITY
pallor, but his step was firm and he looked
urflinchingly into the faces around him.
Nolan hardly appeared to realize his posi-
ton. There was half-detisnt look on his
countenance, and he cast his eyes up at the
cross beam, from which two ropes dangled,
with something akin to curiosity. The
rope around his neck, with the knot press
ipg against his left ear, seemed to chefe
him, for he moved his head unessily once
or twice in his brief walk to death.
TWO DIED EASY.
From the prison door to the place of ex-
ecution is just AZ PAGES, and 1t took 30
seconds for the condemned to reach the
spot where they were to die. Nolan took
his place under the rope hanging nearest
the Franklin street wall Packenhsm was
four feet away from his companion, aud
next the prison. Both men turned and
grasped the priests by the hands, wriDging
them fervently. Then Haugman Atkin-
son stopped down and tied a white cord
about the legs of Nolan, just above the
ankles. His assistant did a like
service for old man Packen-
ham. In twinkling the
black cap was ad justed, and Atkinson
raped three times in rapid succession on
the side OF the box. wherein third assist
ant stood with Ratchet. The third rap
had hardly been given when the bodies of
the murierers were jerked up into the air.
At the expiration of four minutes there
was mighty three, almost together, In
the suspended murderers. Psckenham's u
pulse had gone up to SO and then rapidly
sank to so beats per minute. Nolan's
pulse at the fourth minute was bounding
at 20, but it, too, became weaker, and at
the expiration of five minutes was 70
longer perceptible. AT 7:l0 o'clock both
men were pronounced dead, but were per-
mitted TO hang Is minutes longer.
CAROLYN HoRRIFIEs THE SPECTATORS.
While this scene was enacted prepsra.
tions were being made for what proved to
be the most shocking spectacle that has
ever taken place within the walls of the
Tombs prison. The hanging of Carolin
and Lewis in several aspects is probably
unparalleled. The two murderers at GAS
o'clock received their last spiritual con-
ISOLATION. A gaunt, sallow-faced man
came around from where Packenham
and Nolan were dangling, and made
a lbrief inspection of the instru-
ment of death. Then he dissp-
pesred, and minute later Hangman At
kinson, having finished his first Job, came
around in front of the prison and stood be-
hind the box. Two minutes later Cirolin
and Lewis, with the priests, came through
the door. Lewis walked unstesdily the
first half dozen PAGES, but quickly recov-
cred himself. lie was smiling, and as ne
caught sight of deputy who had been
especially kind to him he walked over and
seizsd his hands. Then be shook hands
with two more. Father Gelinas gently
urged him toward the rope that was to
strsnple him. He smiled and looked fear
lessly around him.
PROCLAIMED HIS INNOCENCE.
Carolin had the butt of cigar bstween
his lips and was putting vigorously, blow
ing great clouds Of smoke into the faces of
the attending priests. His face was as
pale as the face of the dead and the scowl
upon it almost demoniacal. He glared at
the priests as he turned around and felt
the rops touch his shoulder. Splitting the
cigar stump from his mouth, he broke out
into blasphemy that Mortified the specta-
tors. Atkinson had just pinioned his legs
when he spoke. Looking sullenly at the
three priests, Caroiin suddenly exclaimed:
81 die innocent, Cd d-n il! l didn't
do this thing"
Lewis, who had then been piniOned,
balf-turned his head, and, addressing his
companion, said: whats the matter
with you, anyway? Why don't you die
like man."
Il will die like a man." shrieked Caro-
lin, his face turning perfectly hvid. II
will die like msn-sn innocent man"
The words were scarcely out of his mouth
before Atkinson hsd clapped the black cap
over the muIderer's fice. The assistant
hauemsn covered Lewis face at the came
moment Atkinson gave the signal and
the weight fell. Instead OF bounding
up ss Packenhsm and Nolan mad
done, the miserable wretchss went
into the air with so little force that
there was scarcely any rebound AT
all. Lewis Immediately began to struggle
in a most sickeDing manner. de threw
his legs about SO violently as to kick of
his slippers. Then he began to gurgle and
,hoke. The raspiDg, wheezy sound came
from under that horrible black cap for fully
10 seconds. His body turned and s.ayed,
and the contortiOns were so painful that
half dozen men turned away their heads.
The poor creature was slowly strangled.
body was violently contorted
!, Iso. bat he uttered no sound. The weight
fell at 1903 o'clock, and at 40 both men
we're dead.
The four bodies hung for half an hour
and were then cut down, placed in plain
,offins and turned over TO irisnds.