The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-18
HOWARD SCHNEIDER HANGED.

Tie Murderer of IIls wife aud Brothor-In-
Law Pays tho Ponalty-The story of the
Crime.
WASHINGTON, D. G., March 1.-THE
hanging of II. j, Schneider for killing
mis- wife and brother took place in the
district Jail, at 1859 to-day,
The crime for which Schneider was
executed was one OF the most terrible
in the criminal history OF this district,
He had for some time porsistently and
cruelty abused his wife, and she had
sought and obtained the protection OF
her father, Schneider endeavored to
induce her to return to him and to
leave this city for the west, This was
refused, and meeting her on the street
ono Sunday evening as she was return
ing from church, accompanied by her
brother, he accosted her with renewal
OF his demands. The wife still resisted,
and he at once fired five shots from a
revolver, killing instantly the brother
and fatally wounding the woman,
Scbneiders last night upon earth was
a restless one. lie sleptfor few hours,
but toward the last he showed signs Of
weakening that made his keepers at the
Jail fearful that there might be some
narrowing scenes when the climax
came. During the early hours Of the
morning Schneider sat upon the edge OF
his cot and ut intervals conversed with
the guard who was outside the door OF
the cell.
A little after s O'Clock Rev. Mr.. Par
sons arrived at the Jail and was taken
to Schneiders cell.
Schneider wept bitterly and showed
signs of complete collapse. From a
Bible that he brought to the jail with
him the minister read numDer OF &C.
lected chapters that were appropriate
to the occasion and that held hope OF
salvation in return for repentance COM
ing even ut tho eleventh hour. Mr..
Parsons also brought with him letter
OF farewell to Schneider that come from
the members OF the distressed family.
1t was not long letter but 1t was in
tinitely sad and had n saddening effect
on tho young man. In response to u
request from the family, Warden Burke
ordered that no autopsy should be held
over the dead body and that as soon US
the doctors were sure that death had
come it should be turned over to the
undertaken who was to prepare it for
burial.
The procession to the scafFold was
small one. Mr.. Burke, the warden,
went TO schneider's cell aud standing by
the door read the death warrant. Then
he turned and Schneider was led out
from his cell. They then started on
their short and distressing walk. First
came the warden Of the jail. Beside
him walked Robert stroug, the guard,
who adjusted therope outSchneider's
neck, and who performed the same ser
vice for Guiteau. Then came Schneider
himself, staggering and supported on
either side by one Of the guards OF the
Jail. Then came tho minister, followed
by two guards, in case their services
might be needed. This was ALL The
line OF march was from tho southeast
corridor through the big rotunda and
into the northwest corridor in which
the execution took place. There was
but the briefest Of delays when the
scaGold was reached.
There was q brief prayer. The warden
had arranged with tho clergy that not
more than few minutes should be con-
sumed. The signal was given. The
rope in the cell was sprung. The trig-
ger snapped. The drop fell and Howard
J. Schneider with rope about his neck
fell half dozen feet, and all was over.