The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-09-06
ALTENBERGER HANGED.
Katie Rupp's Ruthless slayer Exc
tr cuted in Jersey city.

Katie Rupp's death has been avenged
by law. Bernhard Altenberger, her
murderer, was hanged in the west cor
ridor Of the Hudson County jail. In
Jersey City, this forenoon. The drop
fell at 1904 o'clock. and the murderer
was pronounced dead sixteen minutes
later.
Altenberger's neck was not broken. but
the execution was said to have been
success by Hangman Van Hise.
be- Altenbergers last night ON earth was
passed playing pinochle with the death
watch and in praying. Keepers George
Shaft, George Kimbail and Anthony
Wagner had the rather doubtful pleas
ure OF diverting Altenberger's mind from
his impending fate by playing cards
with him.
The doomed man slept but fifteen
minutes during the entire night. Sheriff
Toffey remained with Altenberger until
b 10 o'clock last night, and left when Rev;
Z. A. Meury the murderer's spiritual
adviser, arrived.
AltenbeTgers h nerve Is SAID he to s haEe
cheerfully of his religious convictions.
All through the early hours after mid
night the murderer sang hymns III
Meury, he lay down on his be shortly
before daylight.
He soon sank into a restless sleep, but
awoke within fifteen minutes. and ex-
pressed a desire to pass the remainder
OF his time On earth In prayer.
About o'clock Altenberger satd he
would like some breakfast, and ordered
ham and eggs and coffee, which he ate
with an apparently good appetite. Then
the hymns and prayers were resumed.
. and continued up 10 the time that sheriff
Toffey appeared to summon him To his
death. This was at 10 o'clock.
The Sheriff dispensed with the formal
ity Of reading the death warrant TO the
murderer just previous to the starting OF
the death march. as Is usual.
An hour before AlteneerSer gave &c
Rev, Mr.. Meury a written statement
to Sheriff Toffey after the execution,
In his statement Altenberger said tina,
the thought of killing Katie Rupp did not
sey City Then 1t was that he Gegai
to think over matters, and concluded tina
he had not money enough 10 marry an,
proposed that they should live together a.
husband and wife without the formalit,
Of marriage ceremony. ~
Or the girls refusal to do this, Alien
berger said he made up his mind To xii
her The trip to Snake Hin and tn
murder followed The murdered did no
try to excuse himself
O. The death procession was formed a
1901 o'clock. Sheriff roffey had Il mo
ment before told Altenberger that h
had come to lead him To the gallows
was ready. The black cap and noos
were adjusted by Hangman Van liise
who had just finished hiking the 3ot
pound weight in the corrldor belo'
which was to jerk Altenbcryer int
eternity.
Two minutes later the procession Ell
tered the west corridor. where the ga
lows had been erected. First came Sher
Toffy, very pale, but reSolute. The maj
derer followed close behind him, betw ae
Dominic Meury and Deputy Sheri
Scharff. He WAS clad in a neat era
suit. white turn-down collar, with
white silk tie with blue figures in II.
Although very pG.e, Atlenberger did nc
falter. His step was firm, anl it wa
evident that he had ma lie up his min
to die game. The procession moved dow
the corridor between the two lines
witnesses, Of which there were fri!
Altenberger stepped inside the lit
circle which Van ilisc had chalk
upon the floor directly underneath, Il
dangling rope. lie stood there withol
a tremUr while his arms aud legs we
being ,plmon,d, Then sheriff Tcn'
stepped before, the murderer and ask
in IA voice which trcmhlci slightly:
"Altenberger, have You anything
say before you die
The answer came loud and firm:
Those two words were Altonbcrser
last Van Hise stepped forward ~
quickly pulled down The black cap. g
rope was snapped onto the moose abu
Altenbergcr's neck and the htugu,
u reached for the trigs, r-roDe, which
rugged sharply.
An Instant later the muulerer's ho
shot up into the air until his he
nearly touched the crUsspieC" ug t
gallows. Thcu the body fel hack a
hung motOnless tor the space OF +
seconds. After that tho only moycmc
OF the body was an occasional spasmol
heaving of the shoulders.
Four minutes after the weigh "
released, the body was lowered su
:. cently to allow the doctors TO note I
=, pulse and heart action. When the ho
was cut down at 1890 o'clock, Or. -
~, dette announced that Alteuhcrg's / .
scn rad been broken, and that lie died
~. painless death.
mt This opinion was not concurTed IN
- a some OF the other physicians. "
y Thought that the murderer was strang
death. The following physicians ",
1resent at the execution: d., John
4. Alns,iiurdette. Charles K Law, william p
" .1hnnad George f. Mclaughlin, who ac
= the judges jury, and Drs Jan
l%,ar atkinson. George w. King. John
NIliIami
Expected
If Grim