The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-06-21

A COMPANY ORGANIZED TO EXECUTE
CONDEMNED CRIMINALS.

CONDEMNED CRIMINALS.
SrRINerIELD, ILL.,, June l6.-Cspital
Is seeking new channels for invest
ment. Articles of incorporation we're
filed with the Secretary of State, GREAT
ing the great American Execution
Company Of the United States. 1t is
organized under the general corpora.
ton act of Illinois and announces its
paid-up capital at $4,000. Its declar-
ed purpose is 'to execute persons who
are sentenced to death" The moor
porators are Stephen Lawson, M. f..
Clear and Jacob A. K. Iffert, all of
Chicago. Lawson and Clear were IN
partnership in that city in the retail
coal business until a year ago and the
firm became M. Il. Clear 81 Company.
Mr.. Lawson is not in any business at
present, but thinks there is an honest
dollar to be made in the hanging busi-
ness. The Company intends to estab.
lish agencies in each State capital, and
will conduct a general retail and whole
sale execution business at fixed sche-
dule rates. 1t will employ only the
most expert hangmen, at fixed yearly
salary, and will make contracts with
the sheriffs Of counties in States where
condemned murderers are executed by
the county officials. In States like
Ohio land, in the future, New York;,
where the executions must occur only
at legally prescribed places, the ar
rangements will be made with the
wardens of the penintentiaries
The men who fled articles of incor-
poration with the State Department
appear to be acting in good faith,
though it is possible they are seeking
notriety rather than incomes from
stretching necks. | talked with the
Chief of Police about the matter after
receipt of your telegram, and he declar-
ed most empbatically that he didn't be-
lieve the Cook County officials would
employ any such executioners. Each
sheriff, when his successor was selected
confded as precious secret the name
and identity of the professional hang
man. 1t would meyer do to employ
Tom, Dick or Harry to swing convict
ed criminals into eternity.
M. K. Clear was found at his Office,
on the river front. He is a neat, bust
ling man of about medium size, and
spoke with perfect frankness on the
subject. eyes, it is true,' he said,
"that a few of us have organized a
company to conduct private executions
throughout the country. We have put
up our money, and are already in cor
respondence with many sheriffs and ex-
pert haDgmen throughout the coun-
try"
DIVIDE NO DIVIDENDS ON DEATH.
"What do you expect your dividends
to be?"
81 am glad you asked that question"
was the quick rejoiner, "because it
shows that our motives are completely
misunderstood. We do not intend to
earn any dividends. If we can simply
maintain the integrity of our capital
we shall be satisfied, and shall gladly
charge off to the loss account the in
terest thereon. No, our motives are
purely philanthropic TO do good is
our religion You see, it's like this !:
We are all believers in capital punish
ment. We read our Bibles carefully
and believe that whose sheddeth mans
blood by man shall his blood be she'd
or words to that effect. To be hang.
ed, sir, by our Company's expert exc
cutiOners will be luxury"
NO BUNGLING HERE.
'What gave you the idea of this
novel enterprise?'
'The recent bungling executions in
Missouri was the reply. "You must
have read of course you did-the
horrible accounts of the bungling
strangulations of the Bald Knobbers
That was shocking enough to suggest
some practical reform, don't you think
80? Some of the members of the Com
pany hope to secure the co operation
of the large and organized undertaking
interest throughout the country. Then
we shall be able TO make rate for a
neat hanging, rather more imposing
execution or a complete carrying out
of the law and funeral combined.
sCAFFoLDs PACKED FOR SHIPMENT.
"The rates will depend much upon
the distance necessary to send the exc
cutioners and the condition of the
scaffold at the Jail where the law is
carried out. OF course we shall have
a dozen or more substantially built
scaffolds at central points, properly
packed for prompt shipment to the de-
sired localities where nothing of the
kind is to be had. But we shall eu-
courage hanging by the improved me-
thod in vogue at New York, where a
heavy iron weight is used to jerk apart
the vertebre of the condemned. This
apparatus can be rugged up anywhere,
and the acknowledgement weight
only will have to be shipped. The
ropes, pulleys, staples and pinioning
straps can be carried in a small grip
sack. We shall know our engage
ments, of course, and shall keep them.
1t will be business matter with US al
together-no sentiment in dealing
with crime"
suppose you get an application
from man for your gallows and cords
who wants to commit suicide, will it
be in the line of business to furnish
him what he wants :"
''We shall be suspicious of all appli.
cations from anybody but sheriffs, and
OF course we shall have all their names.
No, we shall not assist suicides out of
this world"