Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-10
MURDERER ECKERT DEAD
Fatal Ending Of His Attempt to Take
His Life By Poison.
DIED AT 1888 O'CLOCK TUESDAY
His Scheme to Cheat Gallows
Successful.

900 successful.
Wilkeebarre, Pa, Dec. s.--Tbere
was great excitement at the county Jail
ut . O'Clock this morning, when War.
den Boland was aroused from bis eium-
bers BY one of the night watehmen,
who reported that Abrani Eckert, who
was to have besn executed at 10
o'clock to-day for the murder OF
Frederick L. Bittenbender on July.7th,
1880, had taken poison and was dying.
The warden hurried to Eckert's cell
and found him breathing heavily. He,
quickly telephoned for physicians and
Drs. Long and Lenaban responded.
Sheriff Martin arrived at the Jail at
S.:30 o'clock. He had completed all the
preparations for the hanging. When
told OF the attempted suicide he said
We'll, probably 1t is Just as well.''
The first thing the doctors did after
reaching the bedside of the condemned
man was to apply the stomach pump.
Eckert retired at midnight. He was
then In the best Of spirits. He had
Just babe his family farewell. The
death watch was placed over him as
usual. Eckert said he wanted 10 be
awakened at 6 o'clock When the hour
OF q struck one OF the men on the watch
tapped the murderer on the shoulder
and told him TO arise. But there was
no answer. Then the prisoner was
shaken lively. but his only response was
a groan. The watch became alarmed
and notified the night watcbman, who
in turn notified the warden. How the
poison reached the prisoner is a
mystery. 1t is believed, however, that
it was brought In TO the prison by ono
of bis relatives and that Eckert took
the fatal dose shortly after he retired.
Eckert had never given any intima
tion of suicide. During the leave.
taking last night only once did he show
weakness to break down and that was
when his young daughter. Rebscca, his
favorite child, cldsped her arms about
his neck. Struggled close to him and
said: Mamma says that tomorrow
you will come home with us. On! I'll
be so glad of it. I" He well understood
what the child did not. 1t was true he
would go home, but cold In death. He
clasped her only 80 much the closer,
stroked her hair and, looking into her
face, nodded his head. His eyes filled
with tears. This was only for moment.
Warden Boland had late supper
served in the watehmaD's Office to
Eckert and his family and relatives.
Eekart occupied the head of the table
and seemed to be tho least concerned
OF any in the gathering. lie portioned
out the food to all and urged them to
partake Of IT. His appetite was very
good. While at the table he asked for
the evening papers. They were brought
| to him. He picked them up and the
| first thing he looked for was what was
said about him. He read aloud the
| entire article to his family. He finally
@ me to the dlspatch that told that the
Governor had declined to stay the
execution and that his doom wae
sealed. 1t did not seem to visibly
affect him. If it did he was shrewd
enough to conceal it. just as the mea
was ended his spiritual advisers arrived
and the impromptu dining room was
transformed INTO chapel. Short but
very impressive services were held in
which he took unusual interest. He
and his wife then sang his favoritt
hymn, God be with you till we meet
again." He sang with great fervoi
and his fine bass voice could be heard
above all the rest The only time that
he referred to the execution was at the
table, near the end OF the meal, When
he said; "We are all together now.
but in a few hours there will be 4
vacant chair" The only sound to bt
heard was the sobbing of his family
and friends
Sheriff Martin said to reporter al
the Associated Press that the law gave
him until B p. m. to execute thu
prisoner. He stated that no would no
drag the man out of his bed in an I'm
conscious condition to hang him, bu
il he should regain consciousness ant
be able to walk before 3 O'Clock b,
would see that the law was carried out
Should Eckert remain unconsciou,
until after 3 o'clock, and then bt
resuscitated, he will go forth fret
man. This is what is worrying tn,
sheriff and the Jail warden. Th,
friends ut Bittenhender, the victim o
Eckert. arc highly indignant over th,
turn AFFAIRS havo taken and are inclined
to blame the jail officials.
ECKERT DEAD.
Eckert died at II, 3S a. IN. from tn
effect of the poison he had taken.
Daniel Reese who was employed OF
the death watch, says Eckert wa
nervous all night. At 6 O'Clock thil
morning he wanted Reese to vacats th
bed as, be said, the presence of tn
death watch matie him nervous Reese
who was seated on the side of tho bed
refused to move. Eckert then turne,
over and by quick move swallowet
the poison, at least that is what tn
night watch thinks. Tho murtiere
only took the poison when he saw hi
last hope gone.
ECKERT's CRIME.
The crime which Eckert comm lite
was a most cold -hlooded murder. q
July 18th, 1885, he met Frederick 4
Bittsnbender, prominent citizen q
Nanticoke, on the street in that tow
and deliberately shot him down
Eckert was the janitor of the Hig
School and had an imaginary grievanc
against Bittenbender, who had blu
recently been elected a school directo
and who was chairman of the buildin
committee. For some time Ecker
had been neglecting his work at tn
echoolhouse, and Bittenbender spoiS
to him about it and told him he wa
in danger of losing his place unless h
was more attentive to his Duties o.
July 7th, while Bittenbender and hi