The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-17
HUNG A
Mill | IONAIRE:,
Arthur Duestrow Expiates His
Fearful Crime.
HE GOES TO HIS DEATH DECLAR.
ING THAT THE WRONG MAN
WAS To BE PUNISHED FOR THE
CRIME-HE LONG KEPT UP THE
IDEA THAT lie WAS INSANE AND
AT TIE LAST MOMENT PRAC.
TICED THE DECEPTION.

persons, the majority being physicians,
newspaper men or deputy shcrilrs, Ar
thur Duestrow, of St Louis, was legally
executed to-day for the murder of his
wife and little son in that city three Years
ago.
The condemned man, who has simula-
ted insanity since the day of the crime,
kept his role until last evening, when, by
his questions and answers, it was evident
that he keenly realized that the end was
near and that his own efforts and those
of his attorneys, aided by an abundance
Of wealth, were without avail in the bat
tie for life.
Before he lay down to sleep last night
Duest-ow asked one OF the guards what
hour WAS fixed for the execution, but the
latter expressed ignornnce: whereupon
Ducstrow smiled significantly and turned
away. Later in the evening Sheriff
Puchta asked Duestrow if he wished to
see minister or priest. The murderer
turned away with the sneering reply: II
have no use for them.''
tie then lay down on his cot and was
soon asleep. He slept almost without
interruption until nearly ) o'clock this
morning. He did not arise however.
until about ! o'clock, but tossed rcstlessly
from side TO side RS he consumed cig;l.
rettcs one after another. He arose shortly
after O'Clock and then for he first time
in years he broke down and his usual air
of naughty Indifference gave way to orc
Of despair He begged the guards to save
him from his fate and requested that
messages he sent to Governor Stephens
intcrccding in his behalf. TO nearly every
visitor and attendant he appealed for as.
sistancc, and asked that the following
telegram he sent to Ex-Governor johnson.
his counsel, in st. Louis:
II am in IL prcdicament: intercedc with
Governor Stephens for me immediately.
! now need your advice. | was insane but
ii did me no good. have nothing left
but hope for forgiveness
This was signed General Braden-
burg II name and character assumed by
Duestrow during the past few months.
The murderer ate Il scanty breakfast and
when it was finished threw himself OF
his cot and gave way to IL burst of tears
He sobbed convulsively and cried out
frequently "Oh, God. This is terrible
He appealed to the deputy sherins to
procure him Il bottle of brandy hut the
request was not granted. 1t would have
been his st drink since the day of the
tragedy had 1t been given him.
About 10 o'clock the murderer having
become more composed, he repeated his
Shortly before ] o'clock Sheriff Puchta
notified him that his last hour had ar
rived and in II few minutes the guards
announced that all was in readiness for
the execution.
The sheriff gave the order to proceed
and the march to the scaffold began, the
sheriff leading the way, followed by
Duestrow with IL deputy sheriff on each
side, and Il large crowd of newspaper men
and doctors.
Duestrow was apparently unconcerned,
and when he had mounted the scafluld
he showed no nervousness. After the
ropes had been placed about his legs the
sheriff asked him if he had ANYTHING to
say. He replied: Nothing, but that IL
big mistake is being made
Then as the rope was being adjusted
about his neck he asked: MAY | say u
few Words" The sheriff gave assent and
Duestrow spoke liz almost whisper as
follows:
81 wish to say chat II big mistake is
being made here. am General Braden-
burg. of the United States army. | am
not the man whom You accuse am not
murderer of IL woman and Il child. T
now stand before you, sir, bound and
tied like Il criminal: but am innocent
of any crime 20 in peace to my Lord.
want to say that ] thank my attorney,
Ex-Governor Johnson, of st. Louis. for
what he has done for me-
The condemned man hestated. as if
about to talk more. but Sheriff puchta
raised his hand; the black cap was placed
over Duestrow' S head and the corr, drawn
tightly.
Duestrow shouted to one of the depu-
ties: Goodbye, Simon and the trap
was sprung The black form OF the man
fell through the hole. The neck was not
broken, and eight minutes after o'clock
he WIS pronounced dead.
The body was turned over TO an UNDER
taker, representing sister of the dead
man. and will be taken and inferred
alongside the murderer's father in Belle
fontainc Cemetery. The undertaken
stated that he had positive instruction
not to embalm the body and this is taken
as evidence that post norton eXamnn-
tion will he made to determine the condi.
ton OF his BRAIN.
Duestrow was in receipt OF an income
of $40, 900 fo: life. He was studying metl.
icine in st. Louis, hut had practically
given himself up to drink and the hnwdy
houses. On the day of the murder he had
her sleigh riding. When he went to keep
relsomc and abused the servant who ad.
mitted him to the house. His wife en-
deavored to draw his attention from the
servant. when he turned upon her, shot
her four times and then held up their
baby against the wall and put IA ball
through its head.