The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-06-18
ORGANS ON THE GALLONS
Two Ontario Murderers Face
Death in Awful Terror.

ST. THOMAS, Ont, June IS, 1856
John Hendershott and William David
Welter were hanged here this morning
for the murder, on December IA, 1894, or
William Henry Hendershott, nephew of
the former and cousin of the latter.
The drop fell at S13 o'clock. The men
slept the greater part of the might, ap-
p~arently quite soundly. Rev. Mr.. Spen-
Ger, who was with them until ten o'clock
last night. was back again at the jail
at 5:45 this morning. The prisoners
were already astir and seemingly in the
best of spirits they had been in for
weeks. But when the minister was
ushered into their cell a change came
over them, their countenances became
ashen pale, and as Mr.. Spencer read a
few selections from the Scriptures to
them they sobbed most piteously.
At $3.50 breakfast was brought in, but
though ~temptingly prepared, neither OF
the condemned men had any appetite
for food. although they eagerly drank
the coffee.
At 7;3o o'clock the jail doors opened
and the spectators and reporters were
admitted.
At 8:05 o'clock all was in readiness and
the procession started for the gallows.
The means of the condemned men wer
frightful. Hendershott's in particular,
being loud and full of anguish, but both
walked firmly enough without assistance.
On arriving at the scaffold yHangman
Radcliffe strapped each mans legs to-
gether. They were then asked if they
had anything to say and replied in the
negative, whereupon the black cap was
drawn over their heads. Welter awaited
death in a firm name but Hendershott
was nervous and his voice ouaked while
he said Have mercy, oh Lord, nave
mercy"
The caps being in a position the nooses
were then placed about the doomed mems
necks, whereupon Rev. Mr.. Spencer be-
gan to recite the Lords Prayer. AS he
reached the words, Deliver us from
evil,' the lever was pulled and Weller
and Hendershott passed into eternity.
William Henry Hendershott lived with
his uncle, John p; Hendershott, in
and last September took out a 5000 in
surance policy on his life, followed by
another for 5000 in November. both
William David Walter also lived with
On On b !; ss i. 1894 18Th, the young 4ag., men
Welter later appeared at the house Of a
cousin and reported that William Hen
dershott had been killed by a falling
Suspicion, however. was aroused by the
finding of blood in various places sur
rounding the tree and this was
strengthened when the heavy insurance
was brought to light. Welter and John
Hendershott were arrested, charged with
murder. Welter confessed. He said that
John Hendershott had induced him to
enter into a plot to kl William for the
insurance money. William was bending
down to get a drink when Weller struck
him on the head with an axe. The
blow glanced and William started to
run. Welter and the uncle followed him
and Welter struck him again. The uncle
then held him while Welter showered
blow after blow upon him. The two
men then carried their victim to the
spot where the largest pool of blood
was found and then felled a tree across
the body. They were tried in March
last, found guilty and condemned to
Death, An appeal was taken but not
sustained and a further appeal for
clemency was also rejected.