The evening times., 1896-05-07


cution seemed TO take shape and pass away
with ligbtning-like rapidity. The last man
of those attending had just passed through
the doors and the latter closed. when from
beyond was heard the slow and mea sured
tread OF the little coterie comprising the
death party.
The greatest stiffness prevailed among
the group watching with upturned faces
for the first glimpse OF the condemned.
FROM the other side could be heard the ap-
preaching party, their nuffled tread Ike
a solemn accompa ument. que ries of the
priest and the low-toned responses OF
Holmes The suspense was almost painful,
brief though it was, and then pre- ceded by
Sheriff Clements aud supt. Perkins Holmes
stepped on to the trap.
ON THE FATAL TRAP.
On the right was Father Daley; to the
left Father McPake. and bringing up the
rear were Lawyer Rotan and Assistant
Supc ri rintendent Richardson. The little
party stood for moment looking down.
and then in response to sign from one OF
those beside him, Holmes stepped forward
and spoke. Pallid. naturally, after his
incarceration, there was no other evidence
of any fear or disquiet. he spoke slowly
and with measured attention to every
word; triflc low at first, but louder as
ne proceeded until every word was dis
tinctly audible.
"Gcntiemen," he said, IT have very few
words &c say. In fact. would make no
statement at this time, except that by not
speaking l wor.l appear to acquiesce in
life in my execution. I only want TO say
"a b.- of IN iniDCs in
taking human life consisted in the deaths
hands as the result of criminal operation.
Il wish TO also state, however. so that
there VIII lie no misunderstanding here
art"c am not guilty OF taking the lives
Of a.v OF TIE Pi,ezel family, the three chill
df"r t.: father, benjamin F. PheZel. of
WHOSE death | am now convicted, and for
Which, i am today 10 be hanged That Is
all"
As he ceased speaking he stepped back
ami kneelng bet ween Fathers Daley and
Mci'ake. joined with them in silent prayer
for brief minute ortwo. Again standing
he shook the hand OF all of those about
him and then signifrd his readiness for
the end.
COOLEST OF THEM ALL.
Coolest of the entire party, be even went
% the extreme OF suggesting To the assist.
ant supcrint tendent that the latter not hurry
himself. Take your time: don't bungle
it, lie remarked. as the official exhibited
some little haste, the evident outcome OF
nervousness. These were almost his last
words. The cap was adjusted, Il low
tuned query, Are you ready and an
equally low-t"ned response, Yes, good
bye and tile trap was sprung.
The neck was not broken. and there were
4 few convulsive twitches of the limbs that
continued for about ten minutes. But he
suffered none after the drop said Dr.
Scott. the prison physician. The trap Was
sprung at precisely 1912 1-2. and fifteen
minutes later Holmes was pronou need
dead. though the body was not cut down
until 1915
When it was laid out on the stretcher
occurred the only incident approaching The
revolving in connection with an affair
naturally gruesome. The knot had be-
come tammed. and the best efforts OF the
doctors failed to loosen 1t as they at
'empted TO remove the moose from about
the neck. The head was twisted from
side TO side in the unavailing attempt, and
Supt. Perkins objected. however, and the
mot was undone after several minutes of
trying work.
The body was taken in charge ny Under
ater j. ] O'Rourke and at O'Clock This
afternoon it was placed in a vault in Holy
Cross Cemetery. There were no services.
The two women referred to by Holmes
in his confession from the scaffold were
Julia Connor. of Chicago, who with her
daughter. were believed to have been
murdered by him. and Emily Cigrand. of
anderson. Ind.
PROF. MACDONALD's OPINION.
Arthur Macdonald. the United States
government criminologist, arrived here last
night from Washington, to attend the exc
cution.
Mr.. Macdonald has paid several vists TO
the condemned man since his Incarceration,
and has made a careful study of the GRIM
inal. The crimnologist believes that crime
Is due more to conditions than heredity
He is of the opinion that Holmes was, in
many OF his crimes, victim of crcum-
stances.
HOLMES TERRIBLE CRIMES.