Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-20
BEHEADlNG A WOMAN.
4 Swedish Phedra Espiates Her Unnatu-
raj Crime.

raj Crime.
rKristiansstad Letter to GaliqnanLl
The beheadng of d woman isfortunately
n very rare occurrence IN Sweden. The
deed for which Anna Nan3dotter esterday
paid the extreme penalty of the law IS
quite out of the common. This modern
Phadra. who brought her terrible tate
with her eyes open, died because she
had wlfullv murdered her young anu
innocent daughter-in-law. The muir
der was the outcome OF another
even more revolving and unheard-ot
crime. While Anna Mansdotter paid tor
her evil deed with her life. her son and tel-
low.sinner was condemned TO penal seryl-
tude for life. and has already for some
time been confined in karlscrona Jail. In
order 10 shield him the mother confessed
TO the crime, taking upon herself the whole
guilt. Death sentences are not frequent
and executions still rarer here IN sweden;
II il about thirty years since woman died
on the scaifold, but on this occasion l be-
lleve, all those concerned We're uhhh-
imous that the law must have IT'S
course. King Oscar, who IS him.
self member Of the highest court voted
even there lhe has two votes for the death
sentence, and the appeal for mercy was
homeless from the outset, rs tar as the
mother was concerned. Not that Anna
Mansdotter seemed 10 care much. she mas
spent the greater part OF her lmprlsOh-
ment sitting almost motlonless. she mas,
as far as | know, shown no signs OF re-
pentance, nor would she even listen TO the
chaplain. who has been indefatlgable IN
his efforts. and she refused 20 take the
holy communion the evening before the
execution and drank glass OF VINE yes
tefday morning.
The morning was as fine as the previous
night promised, and the earth looked very
fair when those destined - witness the
last act of the terrible lngsi0 drama-or,
rather. tragedy walked down the fine old
avenue leading down 20 the jail. IN the
prison-yard a primitive scafoid had been
erected. and the executioner and his man
are there, clad in new mllitary-lookiug
uniforms. wearing a. a scarf-pln IN MS
white silk tie a dimlnutiye axe, Just rs
Jockey might wear a horseshoe or a ~
tie whip. II Is his first execution, but he
seems 10 have every confidence IN MS
big axe. his muscles, and ma nerves.
Just as the clock strikes the magistrate
commences reading the Judgment, ana
this done the doors are opened ana anna
Mansdotter begins her last short walk.
She Is attired in a wide white gown, with
belt around the waist, and there are stiIi
traces of beauty in her face, WhIte ana
haggard as it IL. She is forty-seyen years
old, but has still that straightness ana,
one might say, almost ladyllke carriage
which Is so often found among peasant
women in Sweden. She seems compare
lively calm. and the young chaplain who
walks beside her Is apparently more
affected. Still the nervous twitchlng Oh
her hands betrays her fears.
Having assembled the scaffold the chap;
lain said the Lords Prayer and whispered
TO her words Of encouragement Anna
Mansdottor then took her last look at tins
world and laid herself down, slightly
moaning as she did SO. The executioner
severed her head from the body with one
stroke, his assistant holding It up 10 show
that the law had been fulfilled. A second
OF two after it was IN the hands OF Protes-
sor Lindgren, from Lund. who WITH num-
Der of medical students is going to further
examine the body before 1t Is lgnomlnious-
" consigned to the dust. The eyes, were
wide open some seconds after the deadly
blow had fallen and the heart continued
It's function some little time after the sew
erance of the head from the body.