Evening journal., 1893-03-17
EXPlATED BY DEATH.
Howard Schneider Pays the
Penalty for Two Murders.
THE DEAD AVENGED BY THE LAW.

Known Case Reviewed.
WASHINGTON, March 17.-Howard
Jefford Schneider was hanged this
morning in the district Jail, at the
outskirts of the city, for the murder of
his wife on January 81, 1892. He was
also indicted for the murder of her young
brother at the same time and place, but
this case was not brought to trial.
The double murder which led Howard
Schneider to the gallows was one of the
most sensational crimes in the
history of the District of Colum-
bia. Ry reaaon of the previous
respectability of the murderer, the stand
ing and wealth of his relatives, and the
unremitting efforts of his counsel and
friends to save him from the gallows, the
case attracted widespread interest. In
many of its surrounding circumstances
the case recalled that of Guitesu. One
of the judges who participated in the
trial of the case (Judge Cox was the
same that tried Guiteau. The plea of
insanity was set up in Schneiders case
as in Guiteau's, and the principal expert
on the part Of the government in both
cases was the same.
The tragedy enacted was in the most
aristocratic residence section of Wash
ington and occurred just at dark on
Sunday evening the last day of January
1892. The victims were Amanda Ham
link Schneider, his young wife, and her
brother, Frank Hamlink. They were
the son and daughter of Derrick p.
Hamlihk, retired business man, and it
was almost in front of the fathers
house that they met their death
Schneider practically forced Miss Ham
link to marry him, threatening TO shoot
her and himself if she refused. The
marriage was kept secret for three
months. Soon after the marriage
Schneider neglected and cruelty treated
his wife. Frequently he threatened to
shoot her or himself until at last the
unhappy woman sought and obtained
the interference of her father
About two weeks before the murder
Schneider went to the Hamlink House
late at ght and found the door barred
against his admission. A note was sent TO
him from his wife saying that she did not
care to see him again. Subsequently,
however, he met her on the street at
various times, on every occasion accost-
ing her harshly and threateningly
On the evening before the murder Mrs
Schneider received a note from her hus-
band stating that he was about to leave
for Chicago and asking her TO accom-
pany him She replied that she wished
him well but could not 60 Next day
Sunday she started for church accom-
panied by her brother Frank and sister
Jennie They found that there were to be
no services and started to return home.
Just before they reached their house
Howard Schneider approached. He
grasped the hand Of his wife and said:
Il want to speak to you" Her sister
walked on but her brother stopped.
Words passed between the two men, and
without warning Schneider drew from
his pocket pistol and fired five shots.
One of these crashed into window of
the Hamlink residence, three entered the
body of Mrs. Schneider and one pene-
trated Frank Hamlink's breast, causing
his immediate death. The wife fingered
for several days, but died from her
wounds.
The trial developed circumstances Of
peculiar malignity. 1t was shown be-
yond doubt that Schneider carried two
revolvsrs and threw one down near the
body of his brother in law, so as TO con-
vey the idea that the killing was done
in self-defence. Another startling fact
was that Schneider had become in
fatuated with a young woman in Gull
pepper, Va, and had written letters to
her calling his wife "a devil and that
he would get rid of her.
Schneiders trial resulted in a convic-
tion. A plea for a new trial, on writ
of error, was made, but was refused.
A motion for q revision of the case by
the supreme court of the District
of Columbia was made and re
suited in the affirmation of the
decision of the lower court. The court
granted stay of execution, pending
an examination by experts as to
Schneider's sanity. The experts decided
him sane Appeal was finally made to
the Supreme Court Of the United States
for a writ of habeas corpus and a writ of
error and both Of these were denied.
The refusal of the Supreme Court to
interfere ended all legal advices, and an
appeal for executive clemency was made.
His attorneys and his spiritual adviser
obtained audiences with the President
and sought to have him grant a reprieve,
Sc that the question Of his sanity could
De lufbueI investigated DuI WlJuoul
avail
The following is the finding of the
President on the application for a re-
prieve for the purpose of further investi
eating the prisoners sanity:
"After a thorough examination of the
proceedings l cannot avoid the conclu
sion that the question as to sanity has
been fairly and thoroughly examined anc
that the result Is fully justified The
decision arrived at, it seems to me
should be accepted as a carefully con
sidered and abundantly supported de
termination that the prisoner is moi
insane, and the case ought not to b.
opened upon the ground that there wal
presented on the Investigation confic
of evidence and opinion regarding tn
subject under examination. l am asked
to grant a respite to allow another pro
ceeding to be taken involving precisel,
the question and which would probabl
present the same differences of opinion
and testimony as have already been de
veloped. It seems to me the prisone
has had the benefit of every right {
.rhfoh ba fo entitled and all tba onpor