The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-04
BRUTAL AS IN DAHOMEY
Was the Legal Butchery
of William West.
Although Unconscious He
Was Hung Twice
While Bleeding from His Self
Inflicted Wounds.
SicSening and Horrifying Scene
at the GallowS.

ton OF william W est In JD0 ldllVaru OF
this place today was almost as fearful a
thing as the frightful butchery that
brought him to the scaffold. An
unwilling, helpless, would-be suicide,
frightened unto death aud dragged into
almost insensibility, was dragged to the
drop and fell an inert, unconscious mass
in order to uphold the majesty of the law
and expiate a crime that could never be
fully atoned for. no matter what the re-
venges. II was known that the man was
q coward, but it was not dreamed that
even a coward would make such scene as
was presented at the hanging OF West.
Early this morning blood was discovered
on the shirt of the condemned man. An
examination showed that he had, by some
means, secre;ed a six-inch piece of iron,
vhetted sharp to an end, in his cot,
and while the attention of the guard
was distracted for q moment he plunged
the iron again and again into his throat
Even at such time it is thought the mans
nerve failed him. and instead of stabbing
himself TO death, he weakened at the last
moment and created a scene that called
the attention of the guards to his pitiable
condition.
The town has been alive with visitors
from early morning. and when whisper
reached the people that West had tried 10
carry out his threat TO suicide the excite
nent was almost too great 10 control.
The man had covered himself with a
blanket when attempting to cut
bis throat, but it is thought
he was not long bleeding before
his condition was discovered. DR.. l.. Z.
Acheson and others were hastily called
in and worked with the daZed murderer
for several hours before he was aroused
from his comatose condition. In the street
were many who actually believed West
innocent and scores OF negroes walked
about excitedly denouncing any attempt
10 execute one in his condition while
they be ieved him guiltless.
The excitement abated after a while
and at 1880, when it was announced that
West had recovered from his stupor, all
agreed with the sherif's statement that
preparations for carryingout the vengeance
of the law cou not be too hurried. TIE
man had undoubtedly been unconscious
whether from lear or loss Of blood, and
his former illness will never be known, as
he simply groaned, turned over in
his beclOtted couch, and seemed for
dant. This was the signal for making
ready every detail for the last fearful scene
Weakened by bis long illness and doubly
broken down by his unsuccessful attempt
at suiciie. West was still as strong as p
lion. lie fought the moment the sheTITa
party entered his cell. There was little OF
spiritual advice given the desperate man,
who struck at physicians. sheriff and min
ister alike.
As the hour of , had been fixed for the
execution, a short pariey ensued by ply
sicians and the sheriff that resulted in the
placing OF West under the influence
of ether. This was used as a
last desperate means and then it was
unsucce- slul as the demoralized man
seemed 10 realize, even in half uncOn-
scious condition, what was being done,
an fought iearfully with attendants ami
physicians. Ii was then decided that he
must be strapped to board, IN order
TO quiet lar as possible the fight
ne had determinud to MAKE on the gal
lows. An ugly struggle followed the at
tempt TO bind him to the board and one
opiate after another was administered
This had the desired quieting effect and
ne was bound to the board apparently
helpless. The half unconscious negro
was then bodily carried, well strapped
and bound to the plank, to the gallows.
A crOwding, awkward jam ensued when
an attempt was made to bring the plank
10 an upright position. All this time West
seemed to be still under the influence of
Opiates and no one objected when the
trap was sprung with little ceremony.
Then another fhapter Of this tale of
horror ensued. The combined weight of
the plank and West seemed to have been
too much tor the rope and 1t broke, hurl-
ing West TO the ground amidst groan
from the crowd, already sickened by the
CHASTITY scene.
The unconcious man fell to the ground
q shapeless mass. Then, awakened from
his stupor 10y the shock and dimly real
izing what had happened, he threw him
self again and a-ain against his bonds,
struggling to Tree himself from the letters
that held him to the plank that accom-
plished his death.
The groaning. writhing man was picked
mp by the four members OF the death
watch and carried back to the scadold and
death trap, presenting a sight that filled
every one present with horror. Another
moose was hastily formed by the sheriff,
who never lost for moment his self-con-
trol, and at 2:40 o'clock the still hall un-
conscious creature was again launched
into space.
Ine slgnL az THIS time was too terrible
for words. The mans attempt at suicide
hal evidently opened several veins in his
throat and this made a place for the
rope. When il was first placed
around his neck the fall tore a wide
cash in his throat, covering board and
bearers with blood. His neck was not
broken by the second fall, and the body
was allowed to hang for fully thirty-five
minutes before il was cut down, twitching
as strongly as i, could in its letters. Thus
ended q scene that expiated in every way
the brutal murder OF an entire family for
gain.
The crime for which West was hanged was
one of the most deliberate and thorough ever
committed in this section, and every bit of evi.
dence against the man has been purely circum-
stanta, yet convincing. On Wednesday morn
fng. May IL. $780, young son of A. l.. CrnW.
ford OF Benteyville. Washington county, was
told By his father 20 take "A over 20 John
Crouch, who lived with his wife and son near
that village. The lite fellow reached the
house about $780, and, after knocking at both
the front and kitchen doors. climbed up to the
kitchen window and looked In. The scene
that met his gaze horrible. Lying In a
pool Of blood on the floor was the body of old
man Crouch. Dropping the saw. the little iel.
low fastened To the blacksmith shop OF David
Mitchell, where his father was working and told
him what 10 had seen. Mr.. Crawford. his son
and several nei9hbors repaired N the Crouch
house. where they found the mangled remai NJ
not only of the old man. but also of his imbe.