Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-18
'TW WASAN AWFUL SCENE
The Fiend Who Murdered and Out
ragged Servant Girls.
SCHNEIDER SLOWLY STRANGLED
Against a Stake-The Hangman and Two Horse
Butchers Attend 10 the Sickening Details
The Victim Completely Unnervsd
Before the Execution.

VIENNA, March 17.-Though the trial
OF the Schneiders, Franz and Rosalie,
for the murder of servant girls, at
tracted to the court room such crowds
as have seldom been equalled in num-
bers at any trial ever held here, the
execution OF the man this morning
seemed TO excite but little interest. At
6:30 o'clock small crowd collected out
side the gloomy law courts in Landes-
gericht strasse, attracted by morbid
curiosity, but they could see nothing OF
the execution.
All the approaches to the building
were strongly guarded and the court
yards were filled with military. A
small yard in the center of the law
courts had been selected as the place OF
execution. The gallows, upon which
executions take place in other countries,
was conspicuous by its absence. In its
stead broad white stake was firmly
imbedded in the ground in an angle Of
the court. The stake was surmounted
by a large spike. A detachment OF
military formed Gordon short dis
tance from the stake. Their duty was
to keep back the so privileged Specta-
tors of the execution. These consisted
of officials, barristers and reporters.
At : o'clock Seyfred, the executioner,
with his assistants, entered the court
yard He was followed by the judges
before whom Schneider and his wife
had been tried, and number of the
highest officials. Then came Schneider,
his strong frame trembling and his face
CHASTITY pale His features had lost
their look of repulsive ferocity, and by
his every manner the man who had
Strangled with his strong hands weak
and defenseless girls showed that his
brutal nature was subdued and that he
was in an agony OF fear at the fate
awaiting him. He was attended by a
priest who sought to administer the
consolation of religion to him, but
Schneider's mind was dazed with fear,
and it is doubtful if he heard, or at least
understood, what was being said.
When the condemned man had reach
ed a point in front Of the stake, the eX-
ecutioner, who wore a high silk hat,
fine clothing and kid gloves, stepped up
to him and dexterously pinioned his
hands. The eXecutioner's assistants,
who were two horse slaughterers, then
seized Schneider and placed him direct
ly in front Of the stake. The condemn
ed man was lifted from the ground and
fearful scene followed. Schneider
Immediately kicked his legs in every
direction and tried frantically TO escape
from the brawney men who held him.
But mis- efforts were useless, and then
he shrieked: "Oh, no. In Gods name
I'll say anything" This scene did not
last long, however, for Seyfried rushed
up set Of steps that stood behind the
stake and threw the free end OF the
silken loop, which was attached to the
stake, around Schneider's throat; in
fact, laSSoing him, as he was held aloft
by the assistants. No black cap was
used, the executioner making his hands
do duty in its stead.
As the moose passed around Schnei-
der'S neck the two horse slaught
erers dropped him. Seyfried pressed
his left hand heavily over the jaw and
mouth of the victim, while his right
hand covered the forehead and eyes,
At the same time the assistants grasped
the hanging man by his arms and legs,
and pulled downward with all
their strength. Held in this position
Schneider was unable to move
and he was slowly strangled to death.
The doctors in attendance say that he
was dead in four minutes. The face Of
the dying man could be seen be-
tween the fingers Of the executioner,
and every change in the color OF the
flesh was diScernible. IL was horrible
sight, and many of the spectators were
compelled TO turn away.
After Schneider had been suspended
for five minutes, Seyfried, who during
the whole scene was perfectly cool,
twice laid his ear against Schneider's
face, until he was convinced that the
man was dead and the law satisfied.
Then he relaxed his grasp Of the head,
and descended the steps, joining his as
Sistants, who, in the meantime, had let
go Of the legs and arms, and Schnei-
derS body was left hanging from the
stake. The executioner was quite neat
in his appearance, but his assistants
were thoroughly repulsive. As the dead
murderer hung with the fatal loop
around his neck his features appeared
composed. A priest then read the SER
vice for the dead, and upon its conclu-
sion the soldiers forced the spectators
out of the court yard.