Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-11-14
HILLrAN HANGED.
For Taking a Poddicr's Life aud
Hlis Pnck-A brutal, Daring, Dew
iliAh flriIne.

For Taking n Poduier's LIE hhu
Hlis Pnck-A brutal, Daring, Dew
iIish Crime.
Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires.
WOODBURY., N. j., Nov. l3.--Joseph
M. Aillnan was hanged here at 1929
O'Clock this morning for the murder OF
Peddler SeldemRnn.
The crime for which Hillman to-day
suffered the extreme penalty of the law
was the brutal murder of Herman Seide-
mann, Polish peddler, living in Phila.
delphia, who made frequent trips through
tEis portion Of New Jersey and who had
been missing since November 7th, 1888,
identified the body as being that of the
peddler.
Seidemann was known to have stopped
several times at the house of Joseph Hill
man, worthless young man living OF
TGrnerville, and he was arrested charged
with the murder.
At the trial which took place In Sep
tember, neighbors of Hillman gave
damaging circumstantial evidence against
him, clearly indicating that on the night
of November 9th, 1888, he had killed the
unfortunate peddler. stolen his money
and packs and after disposing Of the
body by throwing it into the pond, had
adopted the business OF peddling. He
was convicted of the crime and sentenced
to hang. After his conviction, Hillman
told many conflicting stories, duplicating
various persons, but all his so-called con-
fessions we're proven to be fRlsehoo3s.
The condemned youth spent the morn
ing in singing and praying his spiritual
advisers being with him from an early
honr. Shortly after 10 O'Clock those per-
mitted by law to witness the execution,
consisting of the court jury of IL,
sheriff's jury OF 10, three experts and
five newspaper reporters filed In TO
the little jail and Hilimsn, very pale
but preserving firm demeanor was
brought from his cell, minister GU
either side OF him. He was taken to one
corner of the jail, where Hangmeu Van
Hise Of Newark pinioned his arms with q
stout strap and placed the biloxi cap oil
his head, the condemned man meanwhile
praying.
he procession to the gnllows was then
started. When the platform WAS reached
Hillman's feet were securely tied, and
then Sheriff Ridgway told him he might
speak word TO those present. he said,
in clear, loud voice: "My friends. all
have to say is that am going to
heaven. | want to say that my wife had
nothing to do with the killing of Seide-
mann. / am the only one who touched
him. forgive all my enemies, and hope
that all will forgive me. | hope TO meet
| you in heaven. Good bye"
| Murmurs of "God have mercy on you"
were heard as the sheriff pulled the black
cap over the thin pale face of the youth.
] A IaAa al NJ.
/ trigger holding the $50 pound weight on
the other end of the rope and the body
shot up into the air distance Of 10 feet.
Then ensued probably one OF the most
horrible scenes ever witnessed at au exc
cution. The moose failed TO tighten and
the rope slipped around on the wretched
mans neck. he groaned and shrieked,
and his cries could almost be distin-
guisht as he struggled with his arms
and finally succeeded in sufficiently free
ing his hands to almost reach the rope.
Hangman Van Hise stood by reaching
up to the moose and finally succeeded in
getting it around so that the weight OF
the body rested on the throat and life
was slowly strangled out of tue man.
Tho struggle lasted for two or three
minutes and until the hangman got the
moose under the chin, many Of those
thought that the hanging man would
have to be taken down and strung up
q second time in order that the law
might be fully satisfied.
This horrible alternative was fortu-
nately averted as after Van Hise read.
justed the moose the struggles soon
ceased.
After 15 minutes the physicians an.
noupced that the heart had ceased to
beat and 10 minutes later the body was
cut down, placed in coffin and turned
owe. to the dead mans father, who at
Oace started for his farm at Turnerville,
where lie will bury his sons remains this
afternoon.