The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1891-06-05
Execution of HauenstIne at Broken
How.

BROKEN Bow, Neb.. May 23.-Al-
bert f. Hauenstine was hanged here
yesterday for the murder of Hiram
Rotten and William Ashley, which oc-
| Cured November 9, 1888.
The preparations were all completed
by l o'clock and al that hour the 0 n
iemned man was on the scaffold.
The south door OF the court house
was thrown open at 1885 and those
holding tickets were admitted. The
first man who stepped out was old man
Rotten, a cousin Of one of the murdered
men, who stepping upon the scatfold
overlooking the enclosure, gave the
signal at which the crowd rushed mad
ly to the enclosure and threw the
south side of the fence TO the ground.
The sheritfs fought madly with the
leaders, but before they could force
them back the west fence vas also
down and $500 anxious people had
full view of the scatfold. The crowd
was finally forced back and Sheriff
Jones mounted the scatfold and said:
Gentlemen, you have violated the
laws Of the state of Nebraska. Now |
want to know if you are willing to
keep outside Of the rope"
A hundred voices answered YES!
yes.'
Every man who is willing TO DO
this, hold up your right hand"
Every hama went up amid cheers.
At 12:55 the condemned man was led
onto the scatfold. leaning on the arm
of Sheriff Jones and Father Haley.
Hauenstine was dressed in Il suit of
blue, with white shirt and collar and Il
black tie. He mounted the platform
with a firm step. His face WAS the
picture of the misery he had been
through for the last two years. He
seemed q little ervou as the last fin
ishing touches were put on his toilet.
Stepping Il little forward he said:
Gentlemen, l am very sorry for
what | have done, and for the trouble
| have made you. | hope you will take
warning by what l have done. Re-
member little things sometimes come
to great things. | ask your forgive
ness"
His arms and legs We're then fas-
tened. The priests read the last SER
vice. Hauenstine kissed the cross.
and sthe holy water was sprinkled on
his head. The rope was then placed
around his neck and the blaea cap vas
drawn owe his face. He dropped
at 1859.
The sight that followed was sicken-
ing. The rope broke about three feet
above his head and he fell TO the
ground. 1t was a critical moment. but
the nerve of the sheriff did not desert
him.
The people were there for al execu-
ton, and this incident though feariuliy
trying or rye Gid not deter the
sheriff more than ~momentarily. \ new
rope vas procured as 20 as possible,
and the Sheritfs OF other counties, who
were present for the purpose OF learn
ing something OF executions, fastened
to assist Sheriff Jones in conducting
the unfortunate man up the scatfOld
once more, where his pinions were
once again adjusted and the new rope
placed about his neck. But little time
was lost. although the excitement was
intense. and in a few minutes the sig
nal was given and one again Hauen-
stine's body shot through the hole.
The drop was awaited with appre-
hension OF another break. but this
time better provision had been made
and the body vas caught up with 4
sudden jerk which lett no room for
doubt that the second trial was sue
ceSsful.
Hauenstine was left hanging some
minutes after the physicians in attend
ance had pronounced his life extinct.
The crowd waited about for some time
ana the expression OF grim satisfaction
at the vengeance dealt out to the mur-
Gerer OF Ashley and Rotten was gen
erai.