Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-18
SCHEELE'S COOL NERVE.
PLAYED CARDS TWO HOURS BEFORE
BEING HANGED.

| DhiDGEfokF, June lS.-Jacob Scheele
was hanged in the Jail here this morn
ing for the murder of Constable Louis
Drucker of New Canaan. The death
sentence was executed by Sheriff Clark
son and deputies, the drop falling at
1885. The murderer's neck was broken
and not hitch occurred in the proceed
ings.
Scheele retired to bed shortly after -
O'Clock last night and almost imme
d!ateiy fell asleep, He awoke at 6
| O'Clock this morning, Immediately arose
and dressed and played cards with his
Keepers until the arrival of Rev Beverly
| Warner, his spiritual adviser. Scheele
held consultation with Rev Mr. War.
ner and prayed for half an hour. after
which he had breakfast consisting of
ham and eggs, coffee and rolls. After
breakfast he was informed by Sheriff
Clarkson that if he wished to leave any
written message he could do so. He left
no communication, however.
AT O'Clock Sheriff Clarkson read the
death warrant. Scheele listened atten-
lively, but was not in the least affected.
1t was just 1890 when Sheriff Clarkson
entered the cell and told Scheele that
his hour had come. The murderer's
hands were quickly strapped to his sides
and almost Immediately the procession
moved to the gallows, led by two depu-
ties, followed by the prisoner and his
spiritual adviser, Sheriff Clarkson and
other deputies bringing up the rear.
Scheele walked through the corridors
and assembled the gallows with a firm
step. The rope was loosely adjusted
around his neck. Then the wretch
asked for permission to say a few
words and his request being granted he
said in broken English:
| ''Gentlemen-I have changed nv
! mind Hn1 7
to stay here. have much to say, but
Mr. Warner will tell you about 1t after
wards" Then turning to Sheriff Clark
son he said: 81 want to bid you all good
bye. l want to thank those who have
been good to me. I go like a man. I
pray the Lord will forgive those who
have prosecuted me, and 1 want to be
forgiven for what have done" Then
his voice dropped to whisper and he
about five minutes and at 1926 every-
thing was in readiness. The black cap
was drawn, the signal given and
Scheeles body shot into the air.
| There was convulsive twitching and
drawing up of the limbs, but in two
| minutes the pulse had ceased. At the
! end of eight and one-half minutes the
hearts action stopped and in ten minutes
life was pronounced extinct and the
body was cut down. Scheele's neck was
broken by the fall. The face was not
discolored, but the knot had twisted to
| the back of the neck making an ugly
mark. The body was taken in charge
of Undertaken Lieberun and buried in
Parkicemetery, neither Scheeles wife nor
any of his relatives being present.
| After the execution the Rev Mr. War
n 1. surprised the Jail officials by stating
that Scheele had given him a knife this
morning. The weapon had been in his
possession for year, he having it con-
cealed between the leaves of his bible.
The crime which Jacob Scheele ex-
plated on the gallows to-day was the
brutal murder of Constable Louis
Drucker at New Canaan on the evening
of Wednesday, January 25, 1888. The
quiet little town was shocked by the
news of the murder and still more so by
the report that the murderer had fired
four shots into his own body.
Scheele had persisted in selling LIQUOR
contrary to the law and had been ar
rested many times for the offense. He
paid numerous fines but this did not de-
ter him from carrying on The business.
Two weeks before the murder he was
arrested for selling without license and
was out on bonds awaiting trial before
the superior court when he killed
hatred for everyone instrimental in his
prosecution and had frequently threat.
ened to shoot. knife or brain a1v officer
who attemnted his arrest
The dav of the murder a ,varr.nt ,vos
placed in Drucker's hands for Schseie;s
arrest on an old charge of selling Iin1or
without license. The constable went
to the house about O'Clock in the after
noon, He was met at the door nv
Scheele, who pointed a gun at him and
threatened to blow his brains ont if he
did not leave the premises. At this
time Drucker was alone and thinking
that discretion was the better part Of
valor withdrew. He returned to the
village and secured the assistance of
Officers William I. Grant, Ezra S. Hall
and Thomas Freeman. The party ap-
preached the Germans house FROM the
front, Drucker being a little in advance.
When tha marty vas within twantv foat