Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-05-07
HORRIBLE HOLMES HANGED
Righteous Work of the GallOws at
the Quaker City This
Morning.
PRONOUNCED DEAD IN THIRTY MINUTES
Holmes Declared That He Was lnno-
cent of the Crime for Which He
Was Doomed, But Admitted
Two Fatal Abortions.

Philadelphia, May 7. H. H. Holmes
was hanged in Moyamensing prison tins
morning. The drop fell at 10l21a |
O'Clock. half hour later ne was pro-
nounced dead. His neck WAS broken by
the fall
Even on the scaffold he was probably
the coolest person in the solmen assem-
blage. In few we'll chosen words he
PROCLAIMED HIS INNOCENCE
of any murder, including that for which
he was convicted and hanged. He de-
clared that the only wrong doing, in tax
ing human life, for which he could be
held responsible consisted in the death Of
two women who died rs result OF crlml'
nal operations at his hands. He did not
name these victims.
Holmes spent the greater part OF his
last night writing letters. At midnight
he went to bed and slept soundly until
6 O'Clock this morning. It took two calls
to awaken him.
Promptly arising he received visit
from his spiritual advisers, Fathers Daily
and MacPeak, of the Church of the An
nuuciation. They administered the last
sacrament and did not leave him until
nearly 8 O'Clock. During their absence
he ate breakfast of eggs, dry toast and
coffee.
AtlO:O2 O'Clock the sheriff called to-
gether the official jury, and, after each
man had answered to his name and sub
scribed to the certificate, the solemn
march to the gallows was begun.
GATHERING STOOD IN SILENCE.
AS the gathering stood in silence be-
fore the scaffold, murmuring sound
came from behind the partition erected
Immediately back of it. 1t was the dolor-
GUS chant Of the two priests accompany
ing the doomed man to the scatfold.
At 1O:OS they mounted the fatal plat
form. A moment of prayer elapsed. Then
Holmes stepped to the front of the scaf.
fold, aud, resting his hands on the rail
before him, made his statement of inno-
cence. 1t was received in absolute silence.
Then at silent signal from the priests
he bent to his knees, his eyes fixed on the
crucifix, casped in his thin hands. Until
1912 his prayer continued.
Immediately afterwards, he arose, shook
hands with the priests and lawyers and IN
affirm voice bade them goodbye"
Without an instant's delay his hands
we're bound behind him and the black car
adjusted Sheriff Clement placed the
moose about his neck, and, after an in
stant of .arrible stiffness, the crack OF
bolt rang out like pistol shot and th'
murderer had fallen to his doom.
Consciousness left him instantly, sale
the doctors. although his heart continued
a feeble beat for. fifteen or twenty min
u5es.
HoLMEs' FAREWELL ADDRESS.
Holmes speech on the scaffold was a.
follow.: "Gentlemen, have very few
words to say. In fact, would make M
remarks at this time, except that by NO
speaking I would appear to acquiesce II
execution. ! only wish to say tina
the extent OF my wrong doing In takinl
human life consisted in the death of tw
women, they having died at my hands a
result of criminal operations. wis
to state here, so there can be no chanc
of misunderstand nding, I'm not guilty
taking the lives Of any of the Peitse
family--three children and Benjamin, th
father, Of whose death I am convicte
and for which am to-day to be hangee
That ia ali have to say"