Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-06-08

the scaffold step firmly and took his place
on the trap with something of a business
like air. He stood like statue while the
ministers were singing a hymn and praying.
When Sheriff Watts and Deputy Daw
son were combining his feet he helped them
by placing his feet in position. When that
was done he said good bye to the ministers,
to the Sheriff and deputies and the police
The rope was put around his neck, the
black gown put around him and the cap
over his head.
All this time Spiller had stood as if he
was an iron man. His nerve was simply
wonderful. After the clergymen and others
had left the platform, then Sheriff Watts
came to the railing and gave sign towards
Jail window into which five ropes ran.
There were five so that the five men inside
the window who pulled them would not
know which pulled the one that pulled the
trigger.
At the sign the ropes were pulled, the
trap opened, and Spiler fell six feet. His
head fell over to the left and his neck was
broken and he died without struggle.
The drop fell at :27 A. NJ, and Dr.. A.
M. Henkel who examined him found he
had died in nine minutes.
Sheriff Watts and his deputies were cool
and calm, and managed, the execution ad
mirably. 1t went off without a hitch.
SPILLER's EASY DEATH.
If the body made a movement after the
drop no one saw anything except the head
drop down on one side, the face being en-
tirely concealed by the cap. Dr.. A. M.
Henkel and many Of the physicians from
the city and country, among whom were
Drs. j. M. Hanger, Frank Hanger, Catlett,
Watson, DeJarnett, Frazier, Bowman,
Dold, Arbuckle and others, gathered around
the body, after it had been hanging mill
utes, and successfully placed their hands
upon the pulse of the dying man. His
| heart was still beating and did not cease to
pulsate for 8 minutes. The corpse was ia
ken down in about % minutes, the cap re-
moved and the neck of the dead man ex-
amined carefully. His head hung by the
flesh and sineWs only; a space of at least two
inches and a half intervening between the
broken bones of the neck, and the rope
seemed to have almost cut the head off
though there was no tearing and mangling
of the flesh and no trace of blood except
little in the mouth. 1t was very clear
that Spillers neck was broken instanta-
neously, in fact Officer Hamilton who stood
on the scaffold when he fell, says he heard
the vertebrae of the neck snap when he fell.
1t is evident that the death of the criminal
was as painless, as completelyso as though
the execution had been by electricity. There
could not have been a more perfect execu-
| ton and the management of the whole
affair was an admirable and complete
success.
NOTES.
To representative of the INDICATOR,
just. before the Sheriff took him down
stairs, Spiller said: II would not die a
natural death if could. I want to be
hung that [ may be an example to my race.
l am going to stand up to the rack"
When MI. Scheffer Of the Virginia Hotel
asked him if he ate the Strawberries sent
him, Spiller said, Eyes I was bound to eat
them strawberries. y
When he shook hands with the preachers
on the scaffold he said "Good bye, God is
going to take me home. I will look for you
in heaven"
While Spiller was standing on the trap
with the cap over his face, the hymn was
struck up and just as the words, "Saviour
wash me in thy blood" were reached, the
drop fell.
Spiller's body was sent to Harrisonbnrg
in charge of Rev. Clifford, and from there
will be waggoned across the country to
Petersburg, W. Va, for burial.
When Spiller awoke this morning he said
to Mr.. j. A. Noon, the official death watch,
who was alone with him Well, person
going away always gets up sooner. I'll
dress myself, something people hardly ever
get chance to do; but I will to-day. 1
will be a long ways from here tonight,
both soul and body" Then looking out of
his window, through which the sun was
shining brightly, he looked at the scaffold
and said: There is right smart collec-
| ton around that thing.''
Spiller then dressed for the execution,
changing all his clothing and putting on
new suit.
While yet in his cage, the hymn "God be
with you till we meet again. was sung
and Spiller sung it with unusual fervor.
The following sheliffs were present at
the execution-E. NJ. Arboghast Of High
land, Lam from Rockingham; Witt and
Deputy Templeton from Rockbridgs,
MILITARY WHO CAME TO sTAUNToN.
The following General Orders No. 8, was
issued from the Adjutant Generals office
at Richmond on Monday last
The Governor thanks the officers and men
of Company 'F'' Third Regiment at Alexan-
dria, for their prompt response on the sew
| eral occasions, February Sth 9th, 18th, 18th
and March 9TH and sth. to prevent threatened
violation of the laws at Manassas and the
officers and men of Company "D' Third
Regiment at Charlottesville, and Companies
''K'' Staunton, and "C' Harrisonburg Sec
ond Regiment for their readiness in obeying
his orders of April 29th and May End. calling
them to assist the authorities in Stapnton
against anticipated disorder.
| For the SECOND time this year the State has
been put to much expense in money and in
the time of the volunteers in assisting local
officers in unfolding the laws seriously vio-
| lated by the Infamous crimes Of most vicious