The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-01
Franz Beck Will HANG
Sentence of Death Pronounced on Him
by Judge Edwards.
PRISONER VISIBLY AFFECTED
For the First Time Since His Arrest Ills
Wonderful Composurc Deserted Him.
Day For the Execution Will Be
Fixed by the Govcrnp1.

Murderer Franz Beck was sentenced
to be hanged yesterday by Judge Ed
wards.
The main court room was well filled
with interested listeners waiting to
hear the solemn words, condemning
the prisoner to eXpiate his brutal crime
on the gallows. Bezek's crime was not
the most fiendish perpetrated in Lack
awanna county, still it has not been
surpassed by any murder in cold blood
ed brutality.
Maria Kerzic, in a weak and defence
less condition, was shot to death by
Beck at Olyphant on Tuesday morn
ing, Oct. 9. She and Beck left
Leibach, Austria, together and sailed
to this country, as Beck states, so
that they might get married His ia
ther was opposed to the match and
they agreed to come to America. They
landed at New York on Oct. 6, and came
to Mayfield to Bezek's uncle's house
on Oct. Z. The same evening Maria
went 10 her sisters house in Olyphant.
Franz visited her next day and was told
by Mrs. Kramer, the girls sister, that
Maria would not marry him. He sulked
for two days and on the morning Of
Oct. 9, after sleeping the night under
the same roof with Miss KerZic, he
went to Lallys store in Olyphant,
bought large sized bull dog revolver,
loaded 1t with cartridges and returned
to the Kramer household and shot the
girl dead.
lie Was Ably Defended.
When his case was called for trial he
had no attorney and court assigned
Attorneys AN. Colborn and George
w. Watson to defend him. They strOve
with might and main to save him from
the gallows, and failed, though not
through lack Of energy or a learned
presentation Of the mitigating side of
the case.
The prisoner was brought down from
the Jail at 9 O'clock and ct $40 the
three judges came upon the bench A
few minutes later District Attorney
Kelly called out in clear ringing voice
the prisoners name. Interpreter Mayer
was in court to explain the judge S
words to the condemned man. Beck
walked with steady step before the bar
After taking his position, he shu1fled
uneasily from one foot to the other and
glanced from right to left with quiz
zical look on his countenance. A silence
as oppressive as that of the tomb per-
vaded the court room; everybody in
court listened breathlessly for the
sound of the sentence of the court
For the first time in Lackawanna coun-
ty the fatal words, sounding the death
knell of human being, We're heard.
Judge Edwards looked at the prisoner
and Interpreter Mayer, who stood by
his side
prisoner at the bar, what have you
to say why the sentence of death should
not be pronounced according to law?
said the court
Then, through the interpreter, the
prisoner made the following answer
II am not guilty of willfully killing the
girl" Judge Edwards then consigned
the murderer to death with the follow.
ing words
Sentenced to Be IIangcd.
"The verdict of the jury settled that
question. l think the defendant has
had very fair trial. He has been very
ably defended, and the verdict of the
jury in my judgment was a just one
There is nothing left to us but to pro.
ceed to announce execution or judg-
ment upon the verdict of the jury. The
sentence of the court is that you, Frank
Pershon, otherwise known as Franz Be.
EEK, be taken hence to the Lackawanna
county prison there to remain until the
time shall be fixed by executive war
rant for your execution within the
walls or yard Of said prison and there
to be hanged by the neck until you are
dead, and may the Lord have mercy
on your soul"
Judge Edwards spoke in low firm
voice and could not be distinctly heard
by those in the rear of the court room
When the last word was said Interpre
ter Mayer explained the awful words
to the prisoner, and, for the first time
since his appearance in court, BeZel
showed signs of emotion. Deputy Sher
if White took the prisoner in charge
and brought him back to the county
Jail.
AS the law of Pennsylvania provides
that the governor must appoint the day
of execution, the next most awful mo-
ment of BeZek's life will be when his
death warrant Is signed and delivered
and the time fixed for the hanging.
=
Dinner to the Converts.
New Years day will be celebrated thi
evening ut the Rescue mission on Frank
l,, hx, mi Yhn