Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-18
AN AUSTRIAN EXECUTION.
The Hangman Wears n SILK Hat and Kid
Cioves-ScbneiderS StrangIed.
fBr Anrlo-American cable % enc Dlspatch.


fBy Anglo-American cable TO the Dispatch.l
VIENNA, March 17.-Though the trial of
the chneders--Franz and Rosalie-for
the murder of servant girls attracted TO
the courtroom such crowds as have sell
dom been equalled at any trial ever held
here, the execution of the m en- th,s morn
ing seemed TO exercise but little interest.
At $3.50 o'clock a small crowd collected out
side the gloomy law courts III the Landes-
gericht strasse, attracted by morbid curl
Osty. They could see nothing OF the exc
ecutIon. as all approaches TO the building
were strongly guarded and the courtyard
was filled with soldiers.
The small courtyard in the centre OF
the law courts had been selected as the
place of execution. The gallows, upon
which executions take place IN other coun-
tries, was conspicuous by It's absence. In
its stead was
ABROAD, WHITE STAKE
firmly imbedded in the ground in an angle
of the court. The stake was surmounted
by a large spike. A detachment of troops
formed Gordon q short distance from the
stake. Their duty was 10 keep back
tho eighty privileged spectators of
the execution. These consisted OF OF
fcials, barrsters, and reporters. At 7
o'clock Seyfried. the executloner. with his
was followed by the judges before whom
Schneider and his wife were 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
defenceess girls showed that his brutal
nature was subdued and that he was IN an
| nf fanr ot fba fate awaiting him.
SCHNEIDER DLzED WITH YEAR.
He was attended by priest, who sought
| 10 administer the consultations 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. q,
When the condemned man had reached
| a point in front of the stake the execu-
| tIoner. who wore fine silk hat, hne
| clothing, and kid gloves, stepped up 10
| him and de1terously plnioned his hands.
| The executioner's assistants, who were
| two Observation-Disclosures. then seized Schnei-
der and placed him directly in front OF the
stake. The condemned man was lifted
| from the ground and
ArEARFUL SCENE
followed. Schneider Immediately kicked
his legs in every direction and tried fran
brawny men who held MIN; but his 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 a set of steps which
stood behind the stake and threw the free
end OF O. silken loop which was attached to
the stake around Schneider's throat, in
fact lassooing him as he was held alott by
| the assistants.
no BLACK CAP
was used, the executioner making his
| hands do duty in its stead. As the moose
passed around Schneider's neck the two
horse-slaughterers dropped him. Sey'ried
passed 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 un-
| able TO move and was
sIRANGLED TO DEATH.
| The doctors IN attendance say that he
was dead in four minutes. The face of the
| diving man could be seen between the fin
gers of the executloner, and every change
| In the color of the flesh was DIS
cernlble. IL was horrible sight. and
many Of the spectators were conf
PEELED to turn away. After Schnei-
| der 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 con-
| vlnced that the man was dead aud the law
satisfied. Then he relaxed his grip of the
head and descended the step. joining his
assistants, who in the mean time mad let
| 90 of the legs and arms. and Schneider 5
| body was lett hanging from the stake.