The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1896-05-16
MURDERER HOLMES HANGED
The Archdend Executed at 1912
Thursday Morning.
Goes to His Death Without a
Sign Of Fear.
Remarkable Career of Crime.-A Man
Who Was Proud Of His De.
graduation - No Regard
for Human Life.

hanged this morning In the county
prison for the killing Of Benjamin f.
Pietzel. The drop fell at 1912 o'clock
n twenty minutes later he was pro-
nVunrad dead by the prison officials,
DR.. Sharp and DR.. Butcher.
The execution was In every way de-
void 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 arrang-
ing the final details. He died as he had
lived. unconcerned and thoughtless, APP
parently. of the future, even with the
recollection still v,vidly before him Of
the recent confession in which he ad-
mitted he killing OF a score OF persons
OF both sexes and in all parts Of the
country.
AT most. Holmes last words We're 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
gel family he denied all completely, par
ticularly Of the father, for whose death
he stated he was unjussly 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 c~11minology. was ended.
A Small Crowd.
There were comparatively few per-
SOM gathered on the outside Of the u
T, y Nrl,1- .,lr thr - n ri ~ VT NJ thn
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 mur-
derer to Mr.. Rotan. The place of inter-
ment has, 1t is understood. been select
ed, but those who are most likely to
know where the raw Is to be, Will not
divulge the location.
Holmes retired about midnight and
slept soundly during the entire time I'M
til called at 6 o'clock. So sound We're
his slumbers. in fact, that twice was he
called before awakening. When the ar
rival Of the Rev. Fathers Daley and
McPake was announced. he greeted
them warmly, bu with 10 show of I'M
due emotion and with the same air OF
self possession that has marked his o
duct throughout h entire case. They
came to administer the sacrament of
communion. For nearly two hours
they remained in the cell within and
then were almost Immediately succeed
ed by Lawyer Rotan. the legal adviser
~ VY.1,.. -ftH also ha OVaaf.
ed him. There were several matters
pertaining to his worldly affairs that
will have to be settled up after his death
and his time was taken in giving the
final details and explanations.
March to the Gallows.
While discussing his affairs break
fast was served, consisting of eggs.
toast and coffee. When the meal was
ended, shortly before 8 o'clock, Holmes
dressed himself In trousers, vest and
cutaway coat Of some dark mixed goods
of a pepper and salt effect, that had
been worn by him frequently before.
At 10 o'clock the doors leading through
the long corridor in which was placed
the gallows, were opened and w by
two, lead by the sheriffs. the spectators
passed down. The last man had just
passed through the doors and the lat
ter closed when from behind was heard
the slow and measured tread OF the
death party. The suspense was painful.
brief though it was. and then, preceded
by Sheriff Clements II Superintend-
ent Perkins, Holmes appeared and step
ped on the trap.
On the right was Father Daily, to the
left Father McPake, and ariuging up
the real were Lawyer Rotan and AS
sistant Superintendent Richardson. The
little party stood for a moment, looking
down and then In to a sign
from one OF those beside him, Holmes
stepped forward and spoke. He spoke
slowly and with measured attention to
every word; a trife low at first. but
louder as he proceeded. until every word
was distinctly audible.
Holmes Last Words.
"Gentlemen," h said. II have very
few words to say; in fact. 1 would make
no statement at this time except thai
by not speaking l would appear to ac-
quiesce in my execution. 1 only want
to say that the extent Of my wrong do
ings in taking human life consisted in
the deaths Of two women, they having
died at my hands as the result Of
criminal operations. 1 wish to also
state. however; 30 that there will be no
Misunderstanding hereafter, I am not
guilty of taking the lives on any Of the
Pietzel family, the three children or
father, Benjamin F. Pietzel, of whose
death I am now convicted and for which
1 am today to be hanged. That is ALL
AS he ceased speaking, he stepped
back and kneelng between Fathers
Daily and McPake. Joined with them In
silent prayer for a brief minute or two.
Again standing, he shook the hands of
all Of those about him and then signihed
his readiness for the end.
Wanted No BunRling.
He was the coolest Of the entire party.
He even went to the extreme Of sug-
eesting to Assistant Superintendent
Richardson that the latter should not
hurry himself. Take your time; don't
bungle It," he remarked as the official
exhibited some little haste, the outcome
Of nervousness. These were almost his
last words. The cap was adjusted, a
low toned query Are you ready" and
an equally low toned response, Yes;
goodby," and the trap was sprung.
The neck was not broken and there
were o few c~onvulsive witches of the
limbs that continued for about ten min
utes. But lie suffered none after the
drop" said DR.. Schott, the prison physi-
cian.
The trap was sprung at precisely
10.12h, and fifteen minutes later Holmes
was pronounced dead. though the body
was not cut down until 10:45.
A GruesoMe Incident.
When 1t was laid out on the stretcher
occurred the only incident approaching
the revolving In connection with an af-
fair naturally gruesome. The knot had
become TANNED and the best efforts OF
the doctors failed to loosen 1t as they
attempted to remove the moose from
about the neck. The head was twisted
about from side to side In the unavail.
ing attempt and finally 1t was decided
to cut the rope. Superintendent Per-
kins objected, however. and the knot
was undone after several minutes OF
trying work.
The remains were given Into the keep.
Ing of Lawyer Rotan at the request OF
Holmes. Later the body was taken In
charge by Undertaken j. j. O'Rourke
| and a Q o'C1ooIx thlp n Pkor,n,r { ! xro.