The morning news., 1892-03-18
VIRNNA'S DARK CRIME.
The Execution of the Male Criminal
Excites Little Interest


Excites Little Interest
VIENNA. March 17.-Though the trial Of
the Schneiders, Franz and Rosalie. for the
murder OF servant girls attracted 10 the
court room such q crowd as has seldom
been equaled at any trial ever held here,
the execution OF tho man this morning
seemed to excite but little interest. At $50
O'Clock, small crowd collected outside tue
gloomy law courts in Landesgericht strasse,
attracted by morbid curiosity. They
could see nothing OF the execution. All the
approaches to the building were strongly
guarded and the court yard was hlled with
militia.
THE SCENE IN THE COURT YARD.
The small court yard in the center Of the
court had been selected as the place Of exc
cutlon. The gallows upon which execu-
tlons take place in other countries was con-
sptcuous by Its absence. In its
stead was broad white stake
firmly imbedded in the ground in au
angle of the court The stake was
surmounted by a large spike. A detaoh-
ment OF military formed a Gordon short
distance from the stake. Their duty
was to keep back the eighty privi-
legged spectators of the execution. These
consisted of officials, barristers and report
era. AT o'clock Herr Seyfried the execu.
toner, with his assistants, entered the court
yard. He was followed By the Judges be-
fore whom Schneider and his wife were
tried, and a number of the highest officials.
Then came Schneider. his strong frame
trembling and his face ghastly pale. His
features had lost their look OF repusive
ferocity. and by his every manner the man
who strangled with his strong hands weak
and dsfenseloss girls, showed that his bru-
tai nature was subdued and thaJ he was IN
IN ~ faav Al F.e,. -
APRIEsT AT HIS SIDE.
He was attended oy priest. who sought
to administer the consolation of religion to
him, but Sohneider's mind was dazed with
fear. aud it is doubtful il he heard, or at
least understood, what was being said.
When the condemned man had reached a
point In front Of the stake, the executioner,
who wore high silk bat, fine clothing and
kid gloves, stepped up to him aud dexter
ously pinioned his hands The execution
er's assistants, who were two horse slaugh-
terers. then siezed Schneider and placed him
directly In front of the stake.
FEARFUL STRUGGLE.
He was lifted from tho ground and fear
full scene followed. Schneider Immediately
kicked his legs in every direction, and then
tried frantically TO escape from the grasp OF
the brawny men who held him, but his
efforts we're useless, and then he shrieked: I:
10, 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 stak0 threw the free end
of silken loop which was attached to the
stake around Schneider's throat, in fact
| lassooiug him, as he was held aloft by the
assistants. No black cap was used, the
executioner making his hands do duty in its
stead.
! A BRUTAL STANDARDIZATION.
| As the moose passed around Schneider's
neck the two horse slaughterers dropped
| him. Seyfreid pressed bis left hand heavily
over the. jaw and mouth OF bis victim, while
his right hand covered his forehead and
| eyes. AT the same time the assistants
grasped the hanging man by IFS arms and
legs and pulled downward with all their
strength. Held in this position Schneider
| was unable TO move and was strangled to
| death. The doctors in attendance say that
he was dead in four minute'. The face of
the dying man could be seen between
| the fingers of the exeoutioner, and
every change In the color of the flesh was
| discernlble. 1t was horrible sight aud
| many Of the spectators were compelled TO
turn away. After Schneider had been sus-
pended FIVE minutes, Seyfried, who, during
the whole scene was perfectly cool, twice
| laid bis ear against Schneider's face, until
| he was convinced that the man was dead
aud the law satisfied. Then he released his
grasp Of the head and descended the steps,
| joining his assistants, who, in the mean
time, bad lot 90 OF the legs and arms, and
Schneider's body was left hanging from the
stake.