Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-05-16
MURDERER HOLMES HANGED
The Archfehd Executed at 1912
Thursday Morning!
Goes to His Death Without a
Sign Of Fear,
Remark able Career OF CPtmc--A Man
Who Was Proud OF His De-
graduation - No Regard
for Human life.

Phila delphia, May 7.-Howard W,
Mudgett. alias II. II. Holmes, was
hanged this morning In the county
prison for the killing Of BENJAMIN r.
Pletzel. The drop fell at 1912 o'clock
and twenty minutes later he was pro-
nounced dead by the prison officials,
DIR. Sharp and DR.. Butcher.
The execution was in every way de-
void of any sensational features. To
the las he was self possessed and cool
even "a the extent of giving a word OF
advice to Assistant Superintendent
Richardson, as the latter was arrang-
ing the fina details. He died as he had
lived, unconcerned and thoughtless. APP
parently. of the future, even with the
recollection still wildly before him OF
the recent confession in which he ad-
mitted the killing Of a score of persons
81 both sexes and In all parts OF the
country.
At most, Holmes last words were a
point blank denial OF any crimes com
mitted except the deaths of two women
at his hands by malpractice. OF the
murder OF several members of the Pet
eel family he denied all completely, par.
ticularly OF the father, for whose death
he stated he was unjustly 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, the trap swung
and beyond a few incidental post NOR
tenn details, the execution which culmi-
mated one of the worst criminal stories
known to crlminology. was ended.
A Small Crowd.
There were comparatively few per-
sons gathered on the outside OF the coun.
ty prison during the early part or the
morning and the morbid throng which
the prison officials expected would be
drawn there by the execution was lack
ing. Access TO the prison; prior to the
entrance Of those permitted to witness
the execution, was not allowed.
All the arrangements for the burial
Of Holmes were entrusted by the muir
derer TO Mr.. Rotan. The place OF inter-
ment has, IT Is understood, been select
ed, but those who are most likely "a
know where the grave Is to be, will not
divulge the location.
Holmes retired about midnight and
slept soundly during the entire time UNI
I'll called at 6 o'clock. So sound were
his slumbers, In fact, that twice was he
called before awakening. When the or
rival of the Rev. Fathers Daley and
McPake was announced, he greeted
them warmly, but with no show of UNI
due emotion and with the same air ol
self possession that has marked his con
duct throughout the entire case. They
came 10 administer the sacrament ol
communion. For nearly two hour
they remained In the cell within and
then were almost Immediately succeed
ed by Lawyer Rotan. the legal adviser
of Holmes. Pleasantly. also, he greet
ed him. There were several matters
pertaining 10 his worldly affairs thai
will have to be settled up after his deatf
and this time was taken in giving the
final details and explanations.
March "a the GaIlows.
While discussing his affaiis break
fast was served, consisting or eggs
toast and coffee. When the meal was
ended, shortly before . o'clock, Holmes
a. 4 pepper ana sait enect, that had
been worn by him frequently before
At 10 o'clock the doors leading through
Inc lOnB Col Iluot III NV No' f''>tN
the galIows. were opened II two 10y
two, lead by the sherlfs, the spectator
passed down. The last man had jus
passed through the doors and the lat
ter closed when from behind was heard
the slow and measured tread OF th'
death party. The suspense was painful
brief though it was. and then, preceded
by Sheriff Clements and Superintend
ent Perkins. Holmes appeared and step
ped on the trap.
On the right was Father Daily, to thu
left Father McPake, IND bringing NJ
the rear we're Lawyer Rotan and As
sistant Superintendent Richardson. Th'
little party stood for a moment, looking
down and then In response to a sigI
from one of those beside him, Holmes
stepped forward and spoke. He SPOKE
slowly and with measured attention t.
every word; a tritle low at first, bu
louder as he proceeded, until every wore
was distinctly audible.
Holmes Last Words.
"Gentlemen,''h said, II have yer,
few words to say: In fact, l would MAKE
no statement at this time except tina
by o speaking ! would appear to &C
quiesce in my execution. l only wan
to say hat the extent Of my wrong do
ings In taking human life consisted II
the deaths of two women. they having
died at my hands as the result o
criminal operations. l wish TO ais,
| state, however, SO that there will be n,
misunderstanding hereafter, l am no
guilty Of taking the lives on any CT tn,
Pietzel family, the three children O
father, BENJAMIN F. Pietzel, OF who's,
death l am now convicted and for which
/ am today to be hanged. That is all.
AS he ceased speaking. he steppe,
back and kneeling between Father
Daily and McPake, joine' With them II
silent prayer for a brief ..iinute or two
Again standing, he shook the hands O
all of those about him and then signife,
his readiness for the end.
Wanted No Bungling.
He was the coolest OF the entire party
He even went to the extreme OF sug
costing to Assistant Superintendent
Richardson that the latter should no
hurry himself. Take your time; don
bungle It," he remarked as the oficia
exhibited some little haste, the outcom
OF nervousness. These were almost hi
last words. The cap vas adjusted.
low toned query, Are you ready?" an
an equally low toned response, Yes
goodby," and the trap was sprung.
The neck was not broken and ther
were a few convulsive witches OF tn
limbs that continued for about ten min
utes. But he suffered none after tn
DROP" said DIR. Schott, the prison phys
cian.
The trap was sprung at precisel
10.12h, and fifteen minute later Holme
was pronounced dead, though the bod
was not GU down until 10:45.
A Gruesomc Incident.
When 1t was laid out ON the street.-the
occurred the only incident approachin
the revolving In connection with an a.
fair naturally gruesome. The knot ha
become jammed and the hes. efforts {
the doctors failed to loosen II as the
attempted / remove the moose froI
about the neck. The head was twiste
about from side to side In the unavai
ing attempt and finally Ii was decide
to cut the rope. Superintendent Pei
kins objected, however. and the knt
was undone after several minutes (
trying work.
The remains were given into the keel
Ing of Lawyer Rotan at the request (
Holmes. Later the body was taken
charge by Undertaken ]. j. O'Rourl
and at 3 o'clock this afternoon Il we
placed In q walt In Holy Cross cen
ctery. There were no services.
The two women referred to by Holm,
In his confession from the scaffold wei
Julia Common OF Chlca no. who with N