Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-18

Execution Of William Mxier in the Wheeling
Jail Yard.


Jail Yard.
WHEELING, W. Va, Nov. lS-wm Maier,
the wife murderer, was hanged in the Jail yard
this morning at ll:l2 o'clock and was pro-
nounced dead in fourteen and one-half
minutes and at the expiration OF
thirty three minutes the body was cut.
down. Maier's neck was broken by the fall
and about twenty-five seconds afterward the
rope slipped, causing his toes to touch the
ground. Sheriff Steenrod thereupon ran upon
the gallows and held him by the rope until it
was frightened.
STORY OF MAIER's CRIME.
The crime for which William Maier suffered
the death penalty today was the murder in cold
blood of his young wife, Marie, at
o'clock on the morning Of April g.,
1892, by shooting her four times as she lay
In bed at their home in this city. At the same
time he wounded his little sister in law Katie
foho, who was lying at his wifes side in the
bed. Maier IL native of Wurtem-
burg, Germany, and has been IN
this country about seven years. He is
only twenty-three years Of age His victim
about three years his junior was born in
woodsfield, Ohio Maier was a baker by trud
and musician, having at one time been mem
Der OF the Opera House orchestra.
The couple had been married about six
months when the shooting occurred and it was
known that they did not live happily together,
quarreling frequently. On the night of the
murder Maier did not 90 to his work at 10
O'Clock, as was his custom, but instead re.
manned at home playing on his cornet until a
la,e nour. de did not go TO bed at
all, though his wife and her little sister
retired at their usual time. About mid
night Maicr began to change his clothes,
putting on his best suit. and when his wife
asked him the meaning of the strange proceed
ing he told her 1t was none of her business. He
then went out and returned about 9 o'clock in
the morning. He had been in the room but a
few minutes when he approached the bed and
asked his wife to kiss him.
She refused to kiss him end he said, 'If YOU
don't kiss me now it will be your last chance"
Mrs. Maier begged him not to hurt her say
Ing she would never speak CROSS to him again.
but her husband. crazed with anger reached
for his revolver, and, after deliberately light
ing a match to guide his aim, he fired four
shots at her in quick succession, every ball tax
ing effect In her head and breast, one of them
also wounding the little girl.
Mrs. Maier died almost instantly, bu. Maier
without waiting to see the result of his awful
work, fled from the house, closely followed by
Katie Yoho, who gave the alarm.
Though dilgent search was made for the
murderer he was not caught until the 18th of
the month. The circumstances of his capture
were dramatic. He was seen kneeling
by his wifes grave in the cemetery
and his actions were those of
man frantic with grief Officers were informed
of his presence in the cemetery and he was cap
tured after a short chase. Maier was tried in
July and sentenced to be hanged in
August. After stay of execution
and argument for a new trial and
refusal for further hearing he was resen-
fenced to die today. Strong efforts were made
by friends to secure Communication Of the sem
tence on the ground of insanity, but the gov
ernor deaf to all appeals,