The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-08-28
Sizing UP HIS VICTIM.
Van Hise Visits the County Jail
--Altenberger's Hopes.

Hangman Van Hise of Newark visited
the County Jail This morning and took
another peep at Bernard Altenberger,
whom he will work off" next month,
unless Mr.. Charles j. Peshall gets in his
fine work.
The hangman came quietly up the
back stairs to Ward No. / where Murd-
erers' row is situated, and peered through
the heavily barred gates at the doomed
man who was sitting in his little cell
in consultation with Lawyer Peshall. A
News reporter was also present.
A%ltenberger did not know that Van
Hise was looking at him and continued
talking earnestly with his. counsel.
His room is neat, clean, and if there
can be comfort in a condemned cell it is
found there, The whitewashed walls are
decorated with cheap prints from an IL
Illustrated paper, and over against MS
&ed is a square piece of paper on Whlch
! the murderer has written, Bernard Al
~tenberger, Taylor, Obergenstett, Wurtem-
berg, Germany" Between the bars of
the heavily grated window are a dozen
pears n two or three tomatoes, gifts
from some sympathlser. On
the wall is a now withered bunch of
flowers tied with ribbon, also sent in by
some friend. A pile of checkers, n a
pack of cards lay on the window Sill,
hiAN AACiAh Z poooNC
playing with these.
He is a model prisoner, and doesn't
give his keepers a bit of trouble. Elk
cepting for a frightened, hunted look in
his narrow blush gray eyes he appears
to be perfectly unconcerned for the
awful fate pending. Seated at the little
meal table with the LAWYER they talked
about the chances for a reprieve from
Governor WertS.
HAD DASHED HIS WRISTS.
Look at this?" said Mr.. Peshall, lift
;-~ n lfAnhArrarsc hon6c ond airnnTjnD
the News reporters attention to. a
white line two or three inches long, which
traversed each wrist. These marks indi-
cate where the murderer many years
ago attempted suicide while, as his coun-
sci claims, he was laboring under a fit
of insanity, and these marks are to play
an important part in the efforts now ne,
condemned mans neck from the moose.
Across the passage is a larger room.
containing four or five beds, in one OF
which sleeps Murderer Bull, who Killed
his wife in Kearny.
Bull is a little quiet looking fellow,
with a light brown moustache and a
mild manner. He sits all day long look
low, where, at all times of the day.. IS
a small crowd of boys and men gazing
at the Jail corridors in the hopes OF
catching a glimpse of the wretched nell
soon to quit this life.
DOESN'T LIKE VISITORS.
When a stranger enters Bull usually
retireS to his room ana turns ms DUCK
to the visitor.
When Altenberger's visitors were about
to leave, Bull modestly came Onward and
said goodbye, while Altenberger tried to
smile at some remark made by his lawy-
err, but his face suddenly resumed its
frightened expression when he caught
sight of the grim looking hangman who
was hastily descending the stairs behind
the grating. AS that individual made his
way out he mechanically put his hand
to the back of his ear in a suggestive
manner, which fortunately was not per-
ceived by ~Altenberger. Mr.. Peshall Is
convinced that he can get a stay and In
all probability a new trial.
Nc word has yet been received from
Governor Werts as to Assemblyman's
Salinger's appeal for a reprieve.