New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-13
A BOY NCRDERER HANGED.
ELMER CLAWSON PAYS THE EXTREME
PENALTY FOR THE SHOOTING OF
HARRY HODGETTS.

somerville n j. May u (SpeciaD. -Elmer Claw
son. nineteea years old. was hanged in the county
iai here this morning for the murder OF an EnSIsh
farmer named Harry HodGetts, near the village OF
Pluckemin in August last. The trap was sprung
at 1907 and Clawson was declared dead by the
attending physicians at 1917. though the BODY was
not taken until some minutes latAr
The boy passed his last night in peaceiu siunoer
after receiving the rite OF baptism lhiS was ao
ministered at his own request by the Rev. j. o.
Winner pastor OF the Methodist Church C!awson
seemed deeply impressed with the service and
answered all the questions Of the ritual in an in
telgent manner He told his spiritual adviser that
he was ready TO die. He also expressed his soTrow
for having killed Hodgetts. This morning Clawsoh
ate only a light breakfast. Great beads Oh cola
perspiration broke out on his forehead and AFTER
the meal he paced the corridor nervously He was
silent and was apparently absorbed in deep thought
When his spiritual advisers came at O'CLOCK
the boy became more composed. They prayed ana
talked with him. and he became resigned 10 ms
fate and expressed hope OF meeting his lrehdS IN
Sheriff wyckoff and the hangman, Van Hi Use;
tween two deputies. followed by the ministers: The
WSyakenne. On the gaiows he thanked the Sheriff
his counsel for their Kin 9sSo a1d ad ne
| After tile black cap had been adjusted the -, boy
moment by deputy When the bolt was released
Cawson was thrown ABOUT twelve feet ana dTOpp pea
1 six. A crowd gathered OutSiue tHo jon; IN nv
closely watched BY special officers. as he had been
heard 10 make threats to Kill the man who sprung
the trap The crowd. however. was quiet. A short
| funeral service was held this afternoon, the Rev
Mr.. Winner officiating; Afterward the pooy Was
buried in the cemetery below the toWh
| The murder for which Elmer Clawson was hanged
was committed on the morning OF August ~ 1870
| min. was eating his Breakfast with his little fam
| lily when knock at the door was heard. ms "lie
| answered the summons. Elmer Slawsoh Stood OUT
| side and asked 10 Mr.. Hodgetts The latter
/
| Gould give him some work Hodgetts replied that
| he needed no more help just at that time ana
| without any warning Clawson pulled out a re-
yolyer and fired three shots at the farmer Two oil
| Hodgetts staggered into the yard. and died a few
| moments later. ., - !. A.. xoose,ao
where he had left his bicycle, and. mounting. sped
| along the road to Pluckemin. The villagers saw
| him pass through the street but nag no idea ne
| was a murderer. Shortly afterward they were
aroused BY John A. Powelson. n neighbor OF H0dg-
| cts who had followed Clawson in a wagon. Two
men on bicycles started out in pursuit OF the muir
| derer and word was teephoned 10 far ifliis sta-
ton in the direction OF which Clawson ndd EI Uiie
Clawson in the mean time arr'Sd az Lar dil,1
reneating the telephone message ABOUT himself
| ne quickly remounted his wheel ana hurried TO-
| ward Rerna rdsville. He was overtaken aboui
mile from Far Hills and h,d N me buShSS o pus
When his pursuers demanded tha- ne SHOULD come
nut he gave himself up without further resistance
| Clawson was formerly employed by Hongelts ol
his farm and asserted that the latter owed MN
ing he told several persons that he was gong 70
Kill Hodgetts, but they thought IL was mere no|
talk and paid no further attention to It, Al ms
trial attempt was MADE 10 asny me lacoa; ~ or
| were mentally unbalanced and that ne was moi
| morally responsible for his actions.