The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-08
HERMAN w. MUDGETT HANGED
THE EXECUTION DEVOID OF ANY
SENSATIONAL FEATURES.


Of Having Killed n score Of Per-
sonS-A story of the IRhuman Mon
ster's Career.
Philadelphia, May 7.-Murderer Herman
w. Mudgett alias IT. II. Holmes, was
hanged this morning in the county prison
for the killing Of Benjamin f. Pitezel.
The drop fen at 1912 o'clock. and twenty
minutes later he was pronounced dead
by the prison officials. Dr. Sharp and Dr.
Butcher. The execution was ia every way
entirely devoid OF any sensational fea-
lures. To the last ne was seif-possessed
and cool even TO the extent Ok giving a
word Of advice 10 Assistant superintend-
| ent Richardson. as the latter was arrang-
ing the final details. He died as he had
lived. unconcernedly and thoughtless ap-
parently Of the future.
Even with the recollection stlll vividly
before him of the recent confession in
which he admitted the killing OF a score
Of persons Of both sexes. and in all parts
OF the country. he refuted everything.
and almost his last words were a point
blank denial of any crimes committed,
except the deaths of two women at his
hands by malpractice. OF the murder Of
the several members OF the Pitezel family
he denied all completely. particularly OF
the father, for whose death he stated he
was suffering the penalty. Then, with
the prayer Of the spiritual attendants
still sounding In his ears. and with a few
low spoken words to those about him. the
trap swung, and beyond a few Incidental
post mortem details. the execution which
| eliminated one of the worst criminal sto-
ries known 10 criminology, was ended.
While the exact time Of the execution
| was as usual unannounced II was sup
| posed that the hour would be about 10
O'Clock. Two hours before that time, how
ever, those who were to attend began
arriving, but admission TO the prison was
denied every one, except to those In direct
touch with the institution, until o clock.
The gates were then opened and the four
score or more having tickets pressed into
the inner court. Sheriff Clements had
| preceded the crowd and was awaiting tho
arrival or those comprising his jury that
they might be sworn.
Inc jury comprises six physicians and
a like number from other walks in llfe
al prominent I'm hoir respective stations
| Ihey We're; ex-Sherlm William H. Wright
Dr. benjamin Pennebaker, John j. Rdge-
way, Councilman T. r. Bringhurst, Sam
| uel 4. Wood, Dr. W. Joseph Hearn, Dr.
| w. j. Roe, A. II. Detweiler, Or NJ B
llS DMiSnt' Dr. J; {; guernsey, James Hand
ana Dr, john l.. Phillips
Mr.. Woods, one of the sherim's Jury
was was also member of the jury that con-
| cities.
Lawyer Rolan. who conducted the de-
Il
az the prison, but had been preceded by
| Rev. Father Daley and Father Mcpeake
VINO administered the last rites of the
ehufeh 70 the condemned man. They arr
rived shortly after 6 o'clock and only a
rev minutes after Holmes had arisen.
lAtst evening they remained with him un-
III 1880 O'Clock. The death watch was
then being kept by Keeper George Weaver,
who remained until relieved al z o'clocE
this morning by Keeper Henry. Weaver
sald this morning that Holmes had re-
d,gi., dITG apout tS m,,ianght ana slept soundY
sound We're his slumbers in fact that
Twice was he called before awakening
Mnen the arrival Of the priests was an
hguhced ne greeted them warmly, but
with no show of undue emotion and with
me same air Of self-possession that has
Wdthed mis- conduct throughout the entire
case They were come to administer the
sacrament Of communion and every possi-
Bile facility for privacy was extended nv
Superintendent Perkins of the prison For
nearly two hours they remained in the
cen with him and then We're almost i'm
inediateiy succeeded by Lawyer Rolan, the
legal adviser of Holmes.
Pleasantly, also. Holmes greeted him.
,.sal w me discussing his affairs, breakfast
was served and he seemed to heartily en-
JOY the meal. 1t was substantial but
plain consisting Of eggs, toast and coffee,
which We're taken with an evident relish
lie enjoyed It more than / could even
though only his attorney" remarked Mr.
Rolan after leaving the cell "He Is the
most cool and possessed of all In any wav
connected with the case"
The remark seemed in no wise exagger-
and TO the end he maintained the same
st0icism IL was not the clustering braga-
docio, but the calm demeanor and quiet
bearing that are compelled by a viii OF
iron.
When the morning meal was ended and
shortly before O'clock Holmes nranareJ
to dress himself. Contrary 10 the General
custom, he refused to don a new siift buf
arrayed himself in trousers, vest and cut
away coat OF some dark mixed goods OF
pepper and salt effect that mad been
worn Dy hlm frequently before. Even in
TINS ne was careful, giving every atIen-
tlon 70 even the most minute details ot ais
toilet.
Collar and necktie were, OF course, not
worn, but their place was taken by a white
handkerchief knotted carelessly about the
neck.
As 10 o'clock sounded, the march to the
sa4oWs was taken up and directly preced-
ca Dy 6herlm Clements and Superintendent
PERKINS Holmes stepped on the trap
On lne right was Father Daley: to the
leIt dtlef McPeake and bringing up the
rear We're Lawyer Roan and Assistant
superintendent Richardson.
Ine little party stood for a moment
looking down, and then, in response to a
sign from one of those beside him Holmes
stepped forward and spoke. Pallid, nearly,
after his Incarceration, there was no other
evidence Of any fear or disquiet He smoke
slowly ana with measured attention to
every word; trifle low at first. but louder
as ne proceeded, until every word was dis
tinctly audible.
Gentlemen" he said. Il have very few
words TO say, In fact, l would make mn
statement at this time, except that by nor
speaking I would appear to acquiesce in
life in my execution. / only want To saw
that the extent of my wrong doing IN
taking human life consisted in the deaths
Of two women, they having died at NV
hands as the result of criminal onera
tions. l wish to also state however 81
that there win be no misunderstanding
hereafter / am not guilty of taking the
lives of any of the Pitezel family. the
three children, or father, BENJAMIN n
Pitezel, Of whose death / am now con-
victed, and for which / am TODAY to ba
hanged. That is all
AS he ceased speaking he stepped back
and keeling between Fathers Daley ana
McPealSe, joined with them in silent drawer
for brief minute or two.
Again standing, he shook the hand of
all those about him, and then signjfied
his readiness for the end
The coolest of the entire party he eyer.
went to the extreme Of suggesting to AS
sistant superintendent Richardson that
the latter not hurry himself
Take your time; don't bungle il /" Ia
rernarked as the official a.-hil,itra -