The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-08
Herman W. Mudget Shakes off this Mortal
Coll Wearing Hempen Neck Tie.
ONE OF THE WORST CRIMINALS KNOWN,
He Possessed Not tho clustering Bragg
gRdociO, Hut tho Calm DemeanOr,
Well, ATE Heartily and Was Care
ful In the Extreme as to Hts Toilet.

aah w th uoSClt. dlldS II. ftSlUleS,
was hanged this morning in the county
prison for the killing of Benjamin. F.
Pietzel. The drop fell at 1912 O'Clock,
and twenty minutes later he was pro-
noQnced dead by the prison officials.
DR.. Sharp and DR.. Butcher. The execu-
tion was In every way entirely devoid Of
any sensational features. To the last
he was self-possessed and cool, even to
the extent of giving a word of advice
to Assistant Superintendent Richardson
as the latter was arranging the final
details He died as he had lived, un-
concerned, and thoughtless, apparently,
OF the future, even with the recollection
still 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 every
thing. and almost his last words were
q point blank denial of any crimes COM
mitted, except the death of two women
at his hands by malpracticeAs the muir
der OF several members OF the P!etZel
iamiiy. he denied all completely, particu-
larly or the father, for whose death he
stated he was suffering the penalty.
Then with the prayers Of the spiritual
attendants still sounding in his ears and
with a few low words to those about the
trap sprung and beyond a few inciden-
tal post mortem details. the execution.
which eliminated one of the worst crimes
Whlle the exact time of his execution
was as usual unannnounced, 1t was gen
orally supposed that the hour would be
ABOUT 10 O'Clock. Two hsurs before tha
time, however, those who were to attend
began arriving. but admission 10 the prI-
son was denied every one except to those
Sihclals In direct touch with tne institu
non 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
tne crowd and was waiting the arrival of
those comprising his jury that they
might be swarm. The jury comprised
siX physicians, and like number from
other walks of life, all prominenF in
Iheir respective stations. They were ex-
sherIn William H, Wright. Dr. Benja-
MN Pennebaker. ohm ]. Ridgway. Coun-
yttliaah SWna, X. ): .Br!nghurst, Samuel l..
WOOD, Or. w. j. Hearn. DR.. w j. Roe
a. 3. Detweiler DR.. Nj. b. Dwight. DR.,
y. =. Guernsey. James Hand. and Dr
John L. Phillips.
Mr. Wood. one of the Sheriffs Jury.
was also member of the jury that con.
Victed Holmes.
Many prominent men were in attend
ahce. several from other cities.
Lawyer Rotan, who conducted the do
iense OF Holmes, during the trial was
early at the prison, but had been nro-
ceded by Rev. Father DALEY and Fa ther
Mciake, who administered the last rites
OF the Church to the condemned ,,or
They arrived shortly after q o.cInnii
ana only few minutes after Holmes
nau arisen Last evening they remained
with MIN until l0:30. The death watch
was then being kept by Keeper Weaver
weaver said that Holmes retired about
iiluhisht ana slept soundly during the
IN 'e un.li O'Clock. Holmes greeted
me priests warmly, but with no show of
unuue emotion, and with the same air
OF seif-possession that has marked his
eohouct throughout the entire casa
ihey were come to administer the CO..
Iument OF communion. and every nos
S,oie iacinty for privacy was extended
py superintendent Perkins, of tho nrjs-
on. For nearly two hours they remain
ed In the cell within. and then were
almost Immediately succeeded bv law
yer Hotan. the legal adviser of Holmes
Fieasantly. also, he greeted him.
Wniie discussing his affairs breakfas.
WAS served, and he seemed to heartily,
put plain. consisting OF eggs, toast and
co1ee, which were taken with an e,;
cent relish. HE enjoyed ii more tho -
could. even though only his attornc,, >,
remarked Mr.. Rotan after leaving ibe
cell. He Is the most cool and possessof,
ot al IN any way connected with the
case. The remark seemed in no wise
exaggerated Every story was to tbe
same effect, and to the end he maintain
ed the same stoicism. 1t was not Tho
clustering braggadacio. but the caln,
demeanor and quiet bearing that ora
compelled by will of iron
When the morning meal was ended and
shortly before o'clock, Holmes prena rod
10 dress himself. Contrary to the gen
eral custom. he refused to don a new snit
Out arrayed himself In trousers. vest anG
cutaway coat of some dark mixad
goods. Of pepper and salt effect thai
nao been worn by him Frequently he.
iore Even In this he was careful civ
ing every attention to even the most
minute details of his toilet Collar and
hecktie were, of course, not worn. bu.
their place was taken by a white hand
Nerchief, knotted carelessy about the
neck. 'He
AS 10 o'clock sounded the march to
the gailows was taken up and, directly
preceded by Sheriff Clements and SUI
Perintendent Perkins, Holmes stepped on
the. trap.
On the right was Father DALEY. to
me left Father McPake, and bringing up
me rear were Lawyer Rotan and AS
sistant superintendent Richardson. The
little party stood for moment looking
down and then In response to a sign
arom one of those beside him, Holmes