The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-22
SCHNEIDER EXECUTED
For the Murder of His Wife and Her
Brother.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. March 17.-Murderer
Schneider's last night upon earth was restless
one He slept for few hours. but toward the
last he showed signs OF weakening that made
his keepers st the Jail fearful that there might
be some narrowing scenes when the climax
came. During the early hours of the morning
Schneider sat npon the edge OF his GOT and at
intervals conversed with the guard, who was
sitting outside the door OF the cell Ii was the
final death watch that had been maintained
for nearly a week without intermission. A
light Tepast of tea and tOast was taken TO
the cell, but Schneider refused to touch 1t. A
little ate. o clock the Rev. Mr.. Parsons ar
rived at the Jail and was taken at once 10
Schneider's cell. For several hours this morn
ing Mr.. Parsons sat with Schneider upon the
cot In the narrow cell. Schneider wept Bit
teriy aud showed signs OF a complete collapse
From \ bible that he brought To the eel with
him the minister read number OF selto.ed
chapters appropriate to the occasion and that
held out hope of sa walton in return tor re-
pentance coming even Mt the eleventh hour.
Mr.. Parsons also brought with him letter OF
farewell 10 Schneider. that me from the mem
bers OF the distressed family. IL was not a
long letter, but il was infinitely sad aud had q
marked effect upon the young man.
The procession TO the old was small
one. Mr.. Burke, the warden, went to Schnei-
der's cell, and. standing by the door, read the
death warrant. Then he turned and Schneider
was led out from his oil. They then started
on the short aud distressing va X. First came
the warden of the jail. Beside him walked
Robert Strong, the guard. who adjusted the
rope about Schneider's neck, and who per-
formed the same service for Guiteau. Then
ca me Schneider himself, staggering and SUI
ported on either de by one OF the guar Is OF
the jail. Then came the minister, followed by
two guards, in case their services might be
needed. This WIS ALL There was but the
briefest o. delays when the scaffOld Was reached.
There was brief prayer. The warden had ar
ranged with the clergy that not more than e
few minutes should be consumed The egnal
was given, the rope in the cell was pulled, the
trigger snapped. the drop TELL aud Howard j.
Schneider with a rope about his neck. fell a
half dozen feet and all was over
The crime for which Ito yard Schneider exc
cuted was of { most l. rrihle in the criminal
history of the District Of Columbia lie had or
some time consistently and cruelty abused his wi c,
her iatheT. Schneider cndeav0reI 10 induce her to
return TO him nd to leave Was ngton Tor the West.
This refused, d meeting her the street one
Sunday evening she was returning from urch,
accompanied by her broth r. he accOsted her with q
renewal Of his demands. The wife still resisted,
anu lie once fired i've sROts from revO IVer, in
stanty kiuinx the brother AMI fatally wouuding the
woman His crime. subsequent trial, ar0us Il
universal interest in Washington account Of the
good al position he ne and the standing of
his fariiy and that of his W 10.