Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-17
His Crime Expiated by the Death
Penalty.
HIS LAST MOMENTS ON EARTH
Scenes on the Scaffold Before the
Drop Fell.

features. Those who had been OF the opinion
that as the end drew near Schneider would
break down completely or else have
ken. He did not resist. He made no effort Of
any sort to avert the end. He simply walked
unaided to the scafold as an OK would go to
the butchers block. and he seemingly showed
as little interest in what was going on about
him. OF all in the scene in which he was the
principal actor he was apparently the one least
moved.
TAcITURN TO THE LAST.
Schneider maintained to the very end the re-
served and taciturn bearing that characterized
his behavior ever since be FIRST confined in
the Jail over a year ago. The ministers
who have labored with him to bring
him TO sense Of mis- position
had to admit today that they had not sue
ceeded TO any extent He either did not real
ize that he about to die or else he did
not care and mad nerved himself up to stand
whatever might come unfiinchingly. He heard
the reading of the death warrant and was
less moved than the warden Of the Jail or the
minister who stood within the cell during the
reading lie walked the distance from the cell
to the scaffoid practically without assistance
and he mounted the steps leading to the
top with firm tread. But all
the time his bearing was that of a man who did
not realize the significance of bis actions. 1t
WAS as if it all had no connection with him in
any way. As be bound and the cap was
drawn over his head be matie no demonstration,
no protest. and not the slightest change came
over his face.
The little procession passed through the ro-
tunda and into the court at the farther end of
which stood the gailows The court is at a
lower level than the corridor and is
reached by steep fight OF steps
At the head walked Warden Burke and
Mr.. Strong, one of the guards at the jail. Then
came Schneider walking between two guards
and followed by the minister As they passed
down the steps and into the court Schneider
had the gallows full before him. and this horn
BILE sight faced him all the way.
He did not finch He did not require the
assistance of those beside him. He mounted
the steps and took the place pointed out to him
above the trap. There were some in the crowd
that saw it all who had to turn heir faces away,
but The man who had been expected either 70
swoon or to struggle simply stood like one
were spoken before the drop fell
THE LAST SCENE.
Between and 10 o'clock all the men who
had received cards admitting them to the
execution were gathered within the walls Of
the Jail waiting for the word that the
warden was ready to read the death warrant
to the condemned man. About 1890 O'Clock
the policemen who were present formed in
double line facing each other and leaving a
narrow passageway between, through which
the procession to the gallows to pass. This
double line extended from the corridor in
which was located the condemned man. cell to
the door of the court in which the hanging was
to take place. Then every one knew that
Schniders time was very near.
Warden Burke entered the rotunds and
passing rapidly across entered the passage
way, and calling together the police
lieutenants and sergeants addressed few
words to them in which he babe them to
preserve order and to maintain quiet. The
squad Of police was close in after the process
sion and to enter the court mex, in order to pre-
vent the people who were there from approach
ing too close to the galows.
READING THE DEATH WARRANT.
y
couple OF newspaper reporters the warden then
passed on to schneider's cell. The little
group stood by the door as Mr.. Burke
entered the narrow apartment Schneider
was seated upon his cot and beside him stood
the minister talking to him. Schneider's face
was the color Of ashes. Above his struggling
black beard his skin looked ghastly in its
pallor.
Howard" said Mr.. Burke, 81 have come
to fulfill my duty. 1t is not pleasant task"
Schneider did not Nok up and be hardly
seemed to have heard what was said 70
him. Not once during the whole perform
snce did he glance at the wsrden's face. Mr..
Burke held in his hands several pages Of type
written paper. As he started TO read the
order OF the court, that Howord J. Schneider
should be hanged by the neck until dead,
his hands shook 30 that the pages rustled like
dry leaves. Sull Schneider did not lock up
His eyes rested for the most part upon the page
from which the warden Was reading. Occa-
sionAily he would glance out through the win
dow Of the cell He acted - though he WAS |
listening to the reading Of story that |
interested him but slightly. There was |
not the sembiancs Of . tear in his eye and no |
feature OF his face quivsred One hand rested |
upon the other and he would idly finger the /
nails of his left hand with the right During |
the reading Of the death warrant Mr.. Paxson |
stood beside the wall with averted gasa.
He STOOD UP uxAIDID.
At the end Of the residing Schneider vss /
asked to stand up. and this he did without - i
distance. He wore = dark checked suit Of /
clothes, with . cutswsy coat, the collar /
Of which was turned up. He wore no /
shirt collar. Il would have intersersd with /
the moose. NJ. Pazson Engaged schnsidsr in .
low conversation which lasted for several min
utes. They stood with hsads close together /
and Whist they aid viii never b known
While they we're talking ous Of ths guards /
bad pinionsd Schneider's hands behind /
his back. Schneider made no resistance and /
then - Mr.. Burke had finished TIE ofRciai part |
of his duty they started on the short Walk 70 /
oeaaiassd % zASrd RAea |