The record-union., 1895-10-19

SAN QUENTIN, Oct. 1S.-The execution
of the two United States prisoners,
Thomas st. Clair and Hans Hansen. for
the murder of Third Mate Fitzgerald OF
the bark Hesper, took place this alter
noon. The hour had been set at o'clock
in the afternoon, in order that II there
should be any desire on the part Of the
powers at Washington to interfere there
would be plenty OF time. AS no official
communication was received, the pro-
gramme as arranged by Marshal Baldwin
and Warden Hale was carried out 10 the
letter.
The men had spent the morning hours
In preparation for their entry into the
next world. They had plenty of ad-
visers. st. Clair. whose real name is not
known. was an Irishman and Catholic.
Father Hugh Gallagher and another
priest from san lose were at his side two
hours before the drop fell, and he seemed
to derive comfort from their presence.
Hansen was BAPTIST, and was attended
by Clergyman of that faith.
The cells of the doomed men are located
on the top floor of the old jute factory:
and within a few feet of them is a door
leading into the largo storeroom where
the death-dealing apparatus which has
served to rid the State or many murder
ers stands.
A slight change had been made in the
grim looking machine. At the last exc
cution three men had taken their turns at
dropping through the single traps. The
suspense OF the second and third man
was considered an unnecessary and addi-
tional trial. SO this time it was decided
that the two victims should DE swung of
into eternity simultaneously, and the TWO
traps were constructed.
Promptness has always marked War
den Hale's plans in these matters. There
was no exception this time. y minute or
two before the clock marked the door
to The execution room opened. Ii is a
narrow door and admits OF the easy pass
age OF one man al time. Warden Hale
was the first to pass through. Then fol-
lowed the nited states Marshal, after
VINO came st. Clair, bound and supported
by guards. Father Gallagher and Father
Lagau attended closely, and after them
came Hansen and Rev. Petersen. Guards
Amos Lunt and ArDagast closed the little
procession.
The prisoners were assisted up the
steep stairs and were placed on the traps.
The spectators stood closely around the
sca1fold. watching every movem ment of the
men and every expression OF their faces.
a dead silence fell on the throng, aud al
most before they were aware the moment
had arrived the traps swung downward
and the two bodies slipped through and
swung 10 and fro in the little inclosure
beneath the platform.
AS usual at San Quentin the drop did
its work effectively. The men were ap-
parentIy liteless the instant after their
mullled forms tightened the rope.
The doctors IN attendance crowded
around, aud careful observation was
made OF the heart beats and pulses of the
dying men. After life had been declared
extinct the remains were placed in the
rude boxes which the prison supplies.
Hansen's body was given into the GUS
tody of Miss Petersen, to whom he had
been engaged to be married since boy
hood, aud q committee representing
Danish society of San Jose. Miss Peter
sen has been in the town of San Quentin
since yesterday. She WAS devotedly
attached to her lover, and yesterday an
naunced her determination 10 follow him
TO the grave
81. Clair's remains were given into the
custody of an undertaken from San Rafael.
where they will be inferred.
Both men died game, but they made no
speeche>.
Hanseu's pulse ceased to beat at the ex-
pirati0u of I9 minutes and ST. Clair's at
-. The necks Of both were broken by
the fail.
The executions were witnessed only by
Marshal Baldwin, tour deputies and
twelve doctors Newspaper men and
others were excluded.