Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1895-08-04
Ts1rddsk. went ovsr tho River.

II TSAS QUENTIN, July PA. NJ.
Fredricks, tho murderer Of a hall
dozen mon. was hanged this morning
for killing w. A. Herrick, Cashier OF
the branch San Francisco Savings
Union. Last night he retired at 11:3o
leaving word TO be be called at l
o'clock. Att he arose and prayed
two bnurs. he slept from three to
4.e to devoted
nIulssI 10 his prayer book.
Last night he tried to sell his con-
fession to a reporter for 300. He
said he wanted money to buy him
a suitable tombstone, and grew in
dignant when he was offered so.
Since then he has refused to talk to
anyone but the death watch, and on.
ly to him when he desired to give
some order. at five o'clock this
morning he Rttired hi-1self with
great care In the neat black suit
which had been provided him, and at
ter in~structing the guard that he wish.
ed to remain in peace for the remain
der Of his time on earth, sat down in
a rocker in his shirt sleeves and slip
pers in the lighted corner of his cell
and read his prayer book. When
visited by n reporter at Q o'clock he
was still peering over its pages. When
addressed he slowly raised his eyes in
a mute. pleading way, but while his
lips. moved he did not speak. He
moved his head slowly from side to
aide in a dazed, hopeless way and
dropped his eyes to his book again.
His face vas deathly pale, and he
seemed almost fainting. Shortly at
ter 0 o'clock Fredricks' spiritual ad
visors arrived from San Rafael. They
went Immediately to his cell and re
manned until his deyotions were in.
terrupted by the entrance OF Warden
Hale at 9:15. He informed Freder-
icks that the hour Of his execution
had come. Il am ready" was all he
said, and he stood leaning against the
cell while the death warrant was read.
Then the march to the scaGold was
commenced. Warden Hale and
Prison Chaplain Drahm led the way,
followed by two priests in in their
robes. Fredericks walked behind
them half supported by Amos Lunt,
the hangman. He walked firmly up
the twelve steps and took his
place on the trap without a tremor.
Warden Hale raised his hand and a
hush fell over the 100 spectators who
had gathered in front Of the gallows.
Gentlemen MIR. Fredricks wishes to
say half a dozen Words he announc
de, @please keep as quiet as possible"
surveyed the crowd calmly
and said in his broken English:
Gentlemen, l forgive everybody rs I
hope to be forgiven" His voice was
without a tremor, but he had forgot
ten what remarks no had carefully |
prepared and looked ut The ceiling in |
a perplexed sort of a way while try
ing to recall them; 1nnd 1 can assure
you that l do not entertain my hard |
feelings toward any living MORTAL"
Again he paused and laughed like a
confused ~schoolboy, who had forgot
ten his speech.
Fredncks finally continues: @By
the will Of an Omnipotent Creator l
die in the Roman Catholic Church.
l cheerfully consign myself to the will
OF one over and above all; amen.'
amen repeated his advisors. His |
arms had been pinioned, and when he
concluded Lunt dropped the moose
over Fredricks' head. He stood as
as a rock, and turning to the
Warden who stood beside him wish.
ed him to make it eight" Lund held
it till the cap was adjusted, then gave
it a tightening jerk and raised his
right hand. Fredricks shot, down
the length Of the rope aud died with.
out a tremor. Within eleven minutes
tho physicians pronounced life extinct
and the body Of Fredricks was cut
down. He will carry to the grave the
secret OF his crimes.
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