Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-01-03
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
Pittsburg. Pa, January 2.-Albert w.
Woodley was hanged in the county jail
yard at 1O:49 a. N. for the murder OF
Mrs. Jennie. Buchanan. at her home IN
Allegheny, AIay 9. 1894
Woodley awoke from a short nap. the
only sleep he had during the nigat, at,
els a. IN. He made his toilet and then
spent an hour talking to his guards and
reading his Bible. His breakfas- wa-ch
was prepared especially by direction of
Warden 0IcAleese, was served ae SIS.
Il consisted Of steak. eggs, toast and
coffee. He partook heartily and with
evident relish. Az 915 Rev. Mr.. Skill
ing arrived and was followed q few min
utes later by Rev. G. r. Donehoo. Both
remained until the end.
Woodley's friends, who have been con-
slant IN their attentions since his trou-
bIes began. paid him an early visit and
remained with him until about 10 a. m.
WoOdley talked quite 2cheerfuly under
the circumstances and said ne was con-
v.nced ne had been pardonei for his
sins.
Since his trial W0odley has become
q believer in the Presbyterian Church
principles. and lately has spent much
time I'm reading his Bible and talking
d. n
visited him at an early hour, W00dley
sent kind greetings and heartfelt thanks
To- an who have aided him in any way
and extended 20 him Kindness. He said
Do was very grateful to an his friends.
W00dley's spiritual advisers were Rev.
David H. shilling, of the Central Pres
bycerian Church, of Allegheny. and Rev.
-. r. DonehOo. the well-knOwn West
End divine. Ii was the intention Of
the latter TO be with W00dley 10 the last,
but he was prevented by illness, which
had confined him 10 his room the past
two weeks HIS son. Rev c. r. Dom
ehO0 Of sharon. Pa, who has filled his
pulpit during his illness. was present
in his stead.
The spectators at the execution were
few and were mainly comprised of rep
resantatves Of the press and the ,egal
and medical professions. All told. not
over fifty persons We're present. Moth
ing occurred TO mar the plans Of the
sheriff and his lssss ants AT the ap-
pointed time Sheriff Richards and Dep
u-y Sheriff German entered WocIey's
cell and informed him that his hour
had come A short time was allowed
the condemned man 20 make his last
earthly statement. He thanked the
ministers for cher unir.ng interest in
his spiritual welfare and said he was
ready TO die To Warden oIcAlaese
and those who amended him during his
long confinement he expressed deep
gratitude for their many kndnesses.
AS soon as the farewel.s were c0nelUd-
ed he was p.nioned 10y Deputy Sheriff
German and the march 10 the scaffold
was taken uD. The procession was led
By Woodley. supported by Sheriff Rich
ards and Deputy Sheriff German. The
usual detail Of deputy sheri6s brought
up the rear.
AS the black cap shut out the light
Of the world from Woodley forever. the
signal was given, the rrap was sprung,
and ne dropped through the opening
The body sw7yed slightly for moment
and then remained mCt.ouless. except
for muscular twtchings until The muir
derer was pronounced dead and the
law was v.ndicated
The trap was sprung at exactly 10:49.
Immediately afterw3rd Dr. ChessrOwn
and his staff gathered ab0U, the body
and made the customary examination.
..--s,f fDr, .rr-re MN ia ms
during the frs. quarter minute. Sew
eral attempts at respiration were made
during the first two minutes. The
pulse and hear- be2-s were steady for
several moments. when the former sud-
denly decreased in number. ce3s.ng
during the ninth minute. The heart
beats were pecceptible until thu eXpir-
aron Of the twsfh minute. when
Woodley was pronounced dead.
When the drop fell the body swung
half way around. and q series of mus
cular sDasms occurred dur the first
and second moments. Death was due
10 s-rangulat,on. The skin was liv.d,
but the eyes and tongue did not pro-
trude The pupils were slightly di-
lated.
At 1115 the body was cut down and
placed in a neat csfin. It was then
taken 70 Samson's Undernking rooms
on Grant street. where It VII be ere
mated.
As Woodley stepped on the trap ne
partly turned and raising his eyes. said;
God forgive me-" By some Of the
spec. ators fartherest away +, was un-
dsrstood as Not guilty and q buzz
Of excitement passed around the JAIN
yard until the error was corrected.
W0odley spent yesterday afternoon
I'm preparing letters to friends and rel3-
tives. The m.ss.ves were g.ven in
care Of Warden McA,eese. TO De mailed
directly after the execution. W0odley
was the acme of physical heath. not
wttlstan&ng MS Ions confinement
The regular habits and sr.c- reg. men
Of the prison seemed to- agree with him.
ara the change from his FORMER mode
cf living was certainly better for him
physically. He possessed a splendid
constitution. wh,ch. coupled with an
iron nerve. kept him up 20 the last.
He was about 3 feet 10 inches in heigAt,
ana ghed about no pounds He
was Of an athletic build and possessed
strong vitality. He was. generally
speaking. a handsome man.
WOODLEY'S CRIME.