Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-08
Almost HIS Final words D'"
a,crimes with which lie has nee"
- 49, Nothing Sensational
About Execution

..,ftf. ADEI.PHIA. PA, May |-Mul-
herman W. Mudgett alias H. H.
mas hanged this morning IN 'ne
..,,. rrison for the killing oil beh'a''i"
p.,ozel The drop fen at lelZ O'CLOCK
,,..nty minutes later lac was pro-
... dead by the prison officials Dr.
sfsro and Or Butcher
,,ccltion was in every way en-
,.. devoid OF any sensational FEATURES.
3D.. last Holmes was self-possessed
[,,l even to the extent OF giving
....i OF advice 10 Acknowledgements
richardson as the latter was ar
,.. the final details. lie died as ne
r,,5 unconcerncd, and thoughtiess,
.-,rtlv OF the future, even with the
f..,,op SIN wildly before him OF a
.....on which admitted the killing OF
~ rersons Of both sexes and In
F.. .srfs OF the country.
..f,sed everything. and almost his
,ords we're a point-biank denial OF
,-.r,es committed. except the death
~.' aorneu al his hands by mai
w.. In the murder Of the several
It.r. az the Pitezel family he denied
...,,iicity. particularly that OF the
t.r Tor whose death be stated ne was
..r.ring the penalty. ,,-,.,,.,.,
rtlr with the prayers OF MS epiiitua,
....r.trts stil sounding IN ms ears, anu
L few low spoken words 10 those
,t4ri him the trap sprung ana Deyolu
t.r incidental p0st-mortem detals, wv
g,.e1uon. which cuimnaleu one VI 0
.-., ,riminal stories known to criill-
rscsy. was ended ,.
AT THE EXECUTION.
,rruo the exact time of the eNecullon
,s as usual. not announcer -,
' ry Imposed that the hour would
In o'clock. Two hours besore
dime however, those VINO were 10
.5 began arriving. but admission TO
.-.-ou was denied every one, except
.-s in direct touch with the institu-
.,tu @ o'clock The gates were theh
$3.50 and the fourscore or more having
,.ressed into the inner court
.o clements had preceded the crowd
.,s waiting the arrival OF those
...,r, his Jury. This body comprised
t,siciars. and a like number OF
,tber walks 10 life, all prominent III
,ssrcetive stations. They were: EA-
...rr william n. Wright, Dr. benjamin
r..r.bqker. John j. Ridgeway, Couhcl-
,.r H. r. Bnnghurst Samuel J." wow
T- " ]. Hcarm. Or. w. j. ROE a. d.
rt,iler Dr. 81. b. Dwight, Dr. ), -.
..rns-,. James Hand, ana Ut '0"ii
10 wood one of the Sheriffs jury. was
.I... ,,ember Of the jury that convicted
Holmes -. IN ottend-
,.. ,.y,ral from other cities.
r...,r Eotan. who conducted the de-
.--. of Holmes during the trial. was
..r,r at the prison, but had been pre-
..I.l by Rev. Father Daley and Father
.t.p.te who admin stored the last rites
., church to the condemned man.
,-.., arrived shortly after o'clock. ana
,.-. , fsv minutes after Holmes had
.....r last evening they remained win
ti,, until oali-past 10 o'clock. The death
,afcn was then being kept by Keeper
george Weaver who remained until re-
Is,.Iat o'clock this morning by Keeper
Hsa1.
HOLINESS LAST HOURS.
Weaver said this morning that Holmes
f4f retired about midnight, and slept
tmdy during the entire time until call
oatG o'clock. So sound were his slum-
fte u fact. that twice was he called
before awakening. until the arrival or
them warmly. with no show OF undue
emotion. and with the same air Of self
possession that has marked his conduct
throughout the entire case. They were
come 90 administer the sacrament of com
I1un.cu. and every possible facility for
privacy was extended by superintendent
Perkins OF the prison. For nearly two
hours they remained in the cell within,
and then were almost Immediately sue
cee'ed by Lawyer Rotan. the legal adj
wiser Of Holmes. Pleasantly, also, ne
greeted him
While discussing his affairs breakfast
was served. and he seemed 10 heartily
enjoy The meal 10 was substantial but
plain. consisting OF eggs, toast, and COZ
Zee which were taken with an evident
relish "He enjoyed IL more than could,
even though only his attorney" remarked
Dr. Rotsn. after leaving the cell. He
S. The most cool and possessed Of all In
any way connected with the case" The
remark seemed I'm nOwise exaggerated
livery story was TO The same effect, and
f' tie end ne maintained the same stoi-
o'm. 10 was not the clustering bragga-
clco. but the calm demeanor and quiet
barring that were compelled by q will
o. i-ou.
When the morning meal was ended. and
shortly before 9 o'clock. Holmes prepared
o. dress himself. Contrary TO the general
custom. Dee refused 70 don a. new suit
but arrayed himself IN trousers, vest, and
VuiaVay coat OF some dark mixed goods,
Of a pepper-and-salt effect. that had been
worn by him frequently before Even in
la!s he was careful giving every atten-
Ion 90 even the most minute details Of
ia toilet Collar and necktie were, Of
t"Iire, not worn, but their place was
'ahen hy white handkerchief, knotted
'-ielssly about the neck.
OK THE GALLONS.
Az 70 o'clock sounded the march to the
Fellows was taken up, and directly, pre-
,-ei by Sheriff Clements and Superin-
ient Perkins, Holmes stepped on the
oa the right was Father Daley: to the
l-.t Father McPake. and bringing up
'ht rear were Lawyer Rotan and Assis-
lperintcndent Richardson. The lit
"e party stood for a moment looking
.'"I. and then, In response 10 sign
rom one OF those beside him. Holmes
ttppel forward and spoke. Pallid natur-
'} after his Incarceration. there was no
Nher evidence OF any fear or disqulet
de spoke slowly. and with measured at
.'Nlon 20 every word, trife low at
''sl but louder as he proceeded. until
ttefy word was distinctly audible.
Gentlemen" ne said. 81 have very
pr" words 10 say. In fact, would make
I0 statement az this time. except that by
roy spea king / would appear % acquiesce
'N me 10 my execution. | only want 20
10y MAT the extent Of my wrongdoings
.' taking human Nfe consisted IN The
D.alhs ~ two women. they having died
90 my hand as the result OF malpractice
"isn TO also state. however. 80 that
'e VIII De no Misunderstanding here