Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-03-27
PAID THE PENALTY.
TWO HANeINeS TAKE PLACE IN PBNNSYLyA-
MA YESTERDAY
A Wiis Murderer Swung CT at Wilkss5arre,
Nes's Bis Pats Smling-Ancthsr Criminal at
sauch Chunk has 10 bs Assisted to the
Scaacld-The Crimes Of the FelOns.

/ WILKEsBAREE, PA, March Coco.
Washington Moss was hanged here in
the prison yard at 1O:ls o'clock this
morning.
Moss walked to the gallOwS smiling,
with q firm and fearless pace. He said:
God does not hold me responsible for
the murder OF my wife, and do not
hold myself responsible l die like a SOL
der with SMILE Death ensued in
II minutes.
Before the doomed man left his cell
this morning he said to an Associated
Press reporter 'Tm sorry for the
I Sheriff, who is my friend; it must be an
unpleasant job for him. am glad the
end is here. | don't think ought 10
die, and II these were my last words,
never knew that l shot my wife, but
guess | did il, and l would sooner die
than live in prison all my life. | am
thankful TO my friends, the warden and
the press, who tried to save me, and as
soon as the Sheriff Is ready | will show
| those present how a brave man can meet
death, even in this horrible way. have
| faced it too often on the battle field. Do
not think that l am complaining; | am
ready 10 die, and will meet my fate
without a murmur il | can possibly do
so. II the Sheriff would allow me
would pull the cap over my head myself
and pull the rope, too, Goodbye; God
bless you.
The crime for which George w. Moss
was executed was for the murder Of his
wife Rhoda, on the night of the 10th OF
October, 1889. Moss, who had not been
seen by his family for several days,
came 70 his home about Z o'clock at
night His wife was preparing supper
I for her sons, who had just returned
I from work, and when ShO looked up she
saw the muzzle of revolver pointed at
her "Oh, don't, WaSh." she cried, and
scarcely were the words spoken when
three shots were fired in rapid Succ9S-
sion, and she fell to the floor
The sons ran into the house just in
time to see their father point the muzzle
OF the still smoking revolver towards
himself aud fire three more shots. With
the weapon still in his hands he fell 20
the floor, but Immediately got up and
ran out Of the house ana disappeared.
the wife lay dead upon the floor until
neigh bOrS arrived aud carried her into
the adjoining room. A bullet had torn
away the left eye, and the ball taking
an upward course entered the brain. A
third bullet entered the forehead. The
third shot did not take effect.
The entire police force was called out,
and. with lanterns in hand, they secured
ths vicinity in search Of the murderer
until after midnight, when he was
found in an alley. When approached he
said: lis il nae you waut?' "NeS,
said the officer. "Well, then | surren-
der. but wish TO God that had killed
myself" He was then taken to prison.
Dr.. Stewart was called and found three
bullets in his skull, although he did not
probe for them until few days after
when they were removed and the pris-
oner soon recovered.
Mrs. Moss was 50 years old, and the
murderer was -. One Of the preSuma-
ble inspirations for the crime was
thought TO be the humiliation Moss felt
for being sent TO jail 10y his son Frank,
for drunkenness and abusing his wife.
He was an exceedingly sensitive man,
and though his release from prison was
brought about through the woman he
murdered he believed that she was at
the bottom of the scheme to Jail him.