The San Francisco call., 1897-04-24
WENT TO DEATH
WITHOUT 4 FEAR
Murderer Frank klOSS
Executed at San
Quentin.
With Firm Step and Calm
Demeanor He Mounts
the GallOWS.
That He Abused His Mother
Be Denied.

SAN QUENTIN, CAL, April 23.-Frank
c. Kloss, the murderer of William F.
Deadly. went to his death to-day on the
gallows without uttering a word in ac-
acknowledgement of the crime charged
against him.
Promptly at 1880 o clock this morning
the prisoner was brought from the con-
demned cell through the passageway lead
ing into the execution-room. Father La
gan of San Rafael led the way, and Kloss
marched between two guards. He mount
ed the stairs leading to the gallows with a
firm step, his left hand sliding along the
railing. Not trace OF fear was exhibited
in his conduct as he took his position on
the trap. Suddenly he recognized an ac-
qualntance among the spectators assem-
bled about the gallows, and leaning for
ward be bowed his recognition. The same
cool, Indifferent air which he had exhib-
tied since his conviction and imprison-
ment remained with him until the last.
Father Lsgan faced the spectators, about
forty being present, and said that Kloss
had requested him to say a few words. 1t
was the dying request of the man, de-
clared the priest, that he wished to deny
the story published in a San francisco
morning paper to the effect that he had
treated his poor old mother brutally and
cursed her when she came to see him at
the prison.
When Father Lagan closed his remarks
the moose was placed about the condemned
mans neck by Amos Lunt, when the pris-
oner turned to him and in an undertone
said: DO good job" These were the
last words he uttered upon earth. The
black cap was pulled over his head; Lu
tightened the rope about his neck and
gave the signal. The trap few open and
Kloss dropped to the end of the rope. His
neck was broken by the fall. Twelve min
utes later DR.. Lawlor declared him TO be
dead.
When Warden Hale went into the con-
demned cell at 10 O'Clock in the morning
10 read the death warrant he found KIoss
with Father Lagan. Warden Hale in.
formed him of the mission he was bout
TO perform, when Kloss said that he knew
what he was 70 be executed for snd waived
the formality, saying that he would rather
spend the time with the priest. The
warden withdrew.
Last night the condemned man, after
writing letter to his brother. retired at
about IL o'clock. He awoke at o'clock
Al tne anu asked Inc DEATH
watch what time 1t was. Then for half
hour he engaged in conversation with
Guard Jones and told him much of his
past life. At 6:20 he arose and asked the
guard for his best suit of clothes. Thew
fitted him perfectly, fact which pleased
him greatly His hat he requested the
guard 20 deliver TO his brother He ate
breakfast and took stimuIant and SAID
10 the guard that he intended to mount
the gallows like a brave man. At no
time had he exhibited the white feather.
and after bidding the deathwatch good.by
he prepared for his death.
Frank c. kloss was convicted OF the
murder OF William +. Deadly in HAY.
Valley saloon III San Francisco in 1895
kloSs was under the influence of LIQUOR
and when he entered the saloon he found
his victim lying asleep in a chair with his
head thrown back and a tempting array
of throat displayed. The evening before
the men had engaged in an alteration.
When Kloss went over to the sleepine
man he shook him by the shoulder, but
Deady did not awaken. kloss shook him
the second time with the same result,
when with an oath he drew a knife and
slashed the throat of his victim. 1t was
cowardly, cold -blooded murder. but Kloss
contended that 1t was committed by him
in self-defense.
1t IS said that Kloss made the state
ment that Durrant confessed TO him the
murders of Blanche Lamont and Minnie
Williams while the two were confined in
the County jail in San Francisco. This
story Is not considered true. 1t is be-
lleved that kloss made up the yarn in
order TO get even with Durrant for some
trouble which the two had in the County
Jail. They had been enemies and those
IN close touch with both say. that Durrant
would never have selected Kloss as a con-
fdant if he intended to confess.