The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
SOMERSET Pa THURSDAY. APRIL 2, 1891.


The Nicely brothers Joseph and
David, were hanged in the Somerset
county jail at l ;43 o'clock this af
ternoon; the drop falling at that
moment. The preIiminaries were
Of very brief duration, and we're
absolutely perfect in the minutest
detail. Sheriff Good who executed
the men, went at the matter of
preparation in his characteristic
business-like manner, and when the
time come there was not a hitch.
The scenes and incidents prelimina-
ry to the drop were of the conven-
tional type and those who went for
a surprise were disappointed. The
brothers were cool, unrufied and
prepared for their share in the pro-
ceedings. A half hour before the
hanging took place they were re-
moved to a cell adjoining the drop
and there they awaited the Sheriff
Of their execution. Reys. Granger
and Beal attended them in their
cells and the interval of wait ing
was passed in singing and praying.
aim Going Home, and other
hymns were sung. Joe's tenor ming
ling harmoniously with the deep,
robust bass of Rev. Beal. The
singing was kept up until ] IL P.
~. when Sheriff Good and his dep
uty Henry Barron went TO the cell
and in q firm, loud voice read the
death warrants to the condemned
men, reading David's first. Dave at
the conclusion of the reading ex-
claimed, God bless you Sheriff,
and reaching up kissed the Sheriff
on the cheek. Joe did the same
thing. Revs. Granger and Beal
then bent forward and whispered
in tile ear of each of the men a mo-
ment, presumably exhorting them
to confession, but evidently to no
effect as both shook their heads
and turned TO the Sheriff.
They we're then left alone for
few minutes with the minister and
Sheriff Good, and at l ::SS the pro-
cession started to the trap, Sheriff
Good and deputy Barron leading,
followed by Rev. Granger, leading
Dave, and Rev. Beall. encouraging
Joe. They took seats on the seaf-
fold next to the drop, and in a mo-
ment knelt at the request of Rev.
Granger, whilst he, in a peculiarly
solemn manner, prayed Tor them.
their loved ones and their salvation.
Rev. Beal added a word, and then
Sheriff Good said, Dave shave you
ANYTHING to say?7
4 say to you all goodbye said
Dave in a firm tone. IF a single
word 1 can say viii be the instru-
mentality Of saving a single soul, |
shall have had my reward. bear
no ill-will toward any one. Again,
goodbye" he sank back into his
seat. and Joe was asked if he wish
ed to add anything. Joe hesitated
a minute. looked benevolently al
those in front him and said: Il
say to you all, prepare to meet your
God. It is a sure thing that you
must all meet your God. 1t is bet
ter to do so now. for the time may
come when YOU viii wish YOU had.
l hold no feeling or ill-will toward
anv one. This is all / have to say.
For the next minute the men were
busily engaged in shaking hands and
kissing their friends. They were
quickly bound and prepared for the
drop. They stood up and the ropes
were adjusted aud the black caps
put over their heads. Goodbye,
BOYS said Sheriff Good.
@Good-bye all, said the two men
together. and the sound Of their
voices was lost in the changing OF
the steel traps as they fell.
The usual shudder, the heavy
breaths Of relief, and the spectators
began to hurry up and get out OF
the upper corridor to watch what
was going on below.
Dave stood on the south trap
and as Sheriff Good moved the lev,
er and the doomed men dropped
Drs. KimmeIl, Luther, Shafer and
Good began an examination Of
pulse and heart. Dave died with
out struggle, while Joe's spirit
seemed lothe to leave his body
Both men were pronounced dead
in thirteen minutes. Dawes body
being let down at precisely ,
o o'elock and Joe's two minutes later
The remains were carried to th'
Sherif-s Office, placed in coffin!
which were at once loaded on un
dertaker Lowry's wagon and start
ed for the darkened home acros