The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-09-05
PREPARING TO DIE
Altenberger Receivers His
Spirits and Fills the Jail
With Song.
NO PITY FOR The MURDERER
Hangman Van Hise Will Erect
the Gallows This Afternoon
Religious Services
Tonight.
KOCCIS NOT SATISFIED.
Wesley Warner Still Hoping to
Escape the Gallows-
Mahaffy Jury.
KoCCIs NOT SATISFIED.

A large majority of the people who have
occasion to pass the County Jail now,
stop for a moment and gaze at the mid
die window on the third floor that faces
Newark avenue, with a desire to 0atch
a glimpse of Bernard Altenberger, who
will be hanged tomorrow morning for the
murder of Katie Rupp on May 1S at Snake
Hill. The most of these people meet with
disappointment, for Altenberger of late
has kept away from the window as much
as possible. Yesterday and the day before
the murderer was greatly depressed and
he cried a great deal of the time, put
last night he partly recovered his spirits
and amused himself singing The Part
ing Came Too Late" He has a very falr
voice. and when it was learned outside
of the Jail that he was singing, Alien
berger soon had a large audience who
listened attentively. 1t was noticeable
that not a single person expressed any
pity for him or hoped that his execution
would be deferred.
His brutal crime is too fresh in the
memories of the people, and he will proba-
bly, go to the gallows with less sympathy
than any murderer who has been execut-
ed in this county.
NO HOPE FOR ME-.
When Altenberger was told yesterday
that Koccis, the Trenton murderer, had
secured a Communication of sentence TO
imprisonment for life. Altenberger's face
lighted up for a moment and then grew
sad as he exclaimed, 81 am glad, but
there is no hope for me-"
Counsellor Sallinger called on Alien
berger when he returned from Trenton
and told him that the Court of Pardons
had refused to consider his case favor
ably and that he could do no more for
him. The lawyer spoke kindly and feel
ingly to his client and babe him to pre-
pare for the worst.
Today when 1 saw Altenberger he
seemed to be composed, but thoughtful,
I asked him how he felt, and he replied
in broken English, very WELL" and ad-
ded that he had slept soundly and his APP
petite was good. Sheriff Toffey provides
Altenberger with excellent food, giving
him the same as the Warden's private
table is provided with.
Hangman Van Hise will arrive with his
scaffold at about four o'clock today, and
all the prisoners in the cells on the top
tiers will be removed to other parts of
the Jail so that the work of putting up
the scaffold may be begun Immediately.
IT is expected that this work will be ac-
complished early in the NIGHT.
TONIGHT'S SERVICES.
During the greater portion of the night
Rev. E.. A. Meury will be with Alien
berger for the purpose of administering
spiritual comfort TO him
At ten O'Clock sharp in the morning
Sheriff Toffey, Court Interpreter Pressler
n Hangman Van Hise will go to
Altenberger's cell. The death warrant
will be read by the Sheriff and Mr..
Pressler will interpret it to the doomed
man. Van Hise will then strap Alien
berger's arms, but will leave his legs free
If he seems strong enough to walk to
the scaffold. When the place of execu-
ton is reached, Van Hise will strap the
murderer's legs, draw over his head the
black cap and adjust the moose, which
will be placed around Altenberger's
neck before he leaves the cell, touch a
spring and all will be over in this world
by Bernard A%ltenberger, and Katie Rupp
will be avenged.
THE WITNESSES.
TIL jury appointed by the Sheriff to
witness the execution will consist of DR..
]. Wilkinson, DR.. George w. King, who
VIII represent county PHYSICIAN con-
verse; DR.. ]. 7. Nevin. Police Surgeon:
DR.. W. W. Varick, President of the
County Board of Health: BENJAMIN
Murphy, Chief of Police; John J. Erwin.
George Schaaff, A. Joralemon, Perry w.
lowering and Richard Dewey.
The press will be represented by w.
W. Baxter, 9Th Jersey City News;
Frank J.. Higgins, "Chronicle': William
Wilshere, Evening Journal; James F.
Norton, 1.-THE World"; Max Oenick,
"Staats Zeitung"; George Cottrell,
'Union Press Exchange and Cornelius
Young, Omitted Press Court Steno-
grapher John A. Nugent, Rev. E. A.
Meury and Edward Meury will also be
present.
Altenberger has expressed a desire to
be cremated, but what disposition will
be made of his body has not been de-
termined on yet.
POLICE ARRANGEMENTS.
Chief of Police Murphy this morning
completed the police arrangements for
the hanging of Altenberger. Reserve men
to the number of sixty, under command
of Inspector Lange and Captain New
ton, will surround the Jail at half past
eight o'clock and prevent any one from
lettering about on the lawns or side
walks. chief Murphy will preserve or
1ar inside the .Jail