The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-03-17
SCHNEIDER EXECUTED.
He Pays the Death Penalty at
Washington
FoR MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE

The Condemned Man Awakes Early Thi,
Morning and PAGES Norvously To and
Fro iu IFIis Cell-He Weakcns Whor
the Black Cap is Drawn over His Eyes
and Has to be Supported Until the Drop
Falls.
WASHINGTON, March 17.-The first exc
cution to take place in the District Of Co
lmbia since Charles A. Guiteau paid the
death penalty ON the gallows for the assas
snaton Of President Garfield in 1884, was
carried out here to-day, when Howard
Schneider, took six-foot drop from the
trap door Of the death machine in the
southwest corner Of the Jail yard
Since the supreme court rendered its final
decision Tuesday in Schneider's case in
which it refused to interfere with allow
ing the law to take its course, the con.
demned man had lost considerable of the
bravado and indifference displayed by him
since his trial and conviction nearly year
ago, and Tuesday night began TO prepare
for the trying ordeal through which he had
just been made to realize he would have to
pass as his last hope of stay of
execution had vanished with the courts s
decision in his case.
Schneider sent for a spiritual adviser
and the two knelt in prayer beside the iron
bed in the dingy little cell, which he was to
occupy but three days more,
The minister prayed fervently for the
repose Of the condemned mans soul, when
he should have been ushered into eternity
in payment Of the penalty for his out
rageous, and to say the least, cowardly
crime. Schneider seemed thoroughly peni-
tent and many times during she past three
days and nights had been seen on his knees
by his bedside praying that his sins be for
given, and that he might be strengthened
to meet the fate prepared for him brayely
and without a murmur.
Schneider arose this morning at an early
hour in a very nervous frame Of mind and
paced up and down his cell with a most de
iected look upon his counteuance and fear
was betrayed by bis every expression. His
breakfast of eggs and toast was brought to
him about I o'clock, but he ate very little.
saying to the guard that he had no appe-
tita and cared for nothing but to have the
execution over as quickly rs possible.
just before the time set for the execution
to take place, a new suit Of black clothes
was taken TO Une condemned man cell
which be put on and soon after took up the
march TO the gallows accompanied by two
guards and his spiritual adviser
Schneider was deathly pale as he stepped
upon the death trap and when the black
cap was placed over his face and the rope
adjusted about his neck he trembled with
fright and was obliged to be supported un-
til the drop fell and cut OFF for ever his
earthly career.
The crime for which SCHNEIDER paid the
death penalty was the murder of his wife
in February 1892, when he walked up to
her while she was returning from church
on Sunday evening in company with hei
mother, brother and sister, and without a
word of warning fired three bullets into
her body, from the effects of which she
died in few moments.
Schneider also fired two shots at his
brother-in-law and then tried to escape,
but was captured in a few hours and
placed in jail where he has since re-
mained. Several attempts were made tc
save him from the gallows, but without
success.
Mrs. Schneider's refusal to live with hel
husband was the cause of the murder.
The murder caused a great sensation
here, as both Schneider and his wife were
! well connected.