Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-17
PAYS THE PENALTY.
ARTHUR DuEsTRow HANGED IN
MISSOURI FOR DOUBLE MURDER.
He Claims 90 lie "Gencral nraden-
burg"--SimuIntes Insanity Until He
tendcd-l Remarkable Case.


UNION, MO-, February l6-On scat
fold erected in the Franklin county jail
yard in this village. under a clear and
sunny sky. surrounded by about 100 per-
sens. the majority being physicians
newspaper-men, or deputy-sheriffs, Ar
thur Duestrow, CT 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, VINO has simu-
lated insanity since the day Of the
crime, kept his -ole until late last eve
ming. when, by his questions and an
swers. Il was evident that he keeniy
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 battle
for life.
Before he lay down to sleep last night
Duestrow asked one Of the guards what
hour was fixed for the execution, but
the latter expressed ignorance, where
upon Duestrow smiled significantly and
Sheriff Puchta asked Duestrow II he
wished 10 see a minister or a priest.
The murderer turned away with the
sneering reply, 81 have no use for them.
lie then lay down on his cot ana was
soon asleep. He slept almost without
interruption until nearly O'Clock this
morning. He did not arise, however,
until about Z o'clock, but tossed restless
~ from side to side as he consumed
cigarettes, one after another.
HE BEGGED TO BE SAVED.
He arose shortly after o'clock, and
then. for the first time in three years,
he broke down, and his usual air OF
naughty indifference gave way to one
of despair He begged the guards to
save him from his fate. and requested
that messages be sent TO Governor Ste
phens, interceding in his behalf.
TO nearly every visitor and attendant
Duestrow appealed for assistance, and
asked that the following telegram be
sent to Ex-Governor Johnson, his coun-
sell In st. Louis:
Il am i'm a predicament; intercede with
Governor Stephens for me Immediately.
/ now need your advice. / was insane
but II did me no good. l have nothing
left but hope for forgiveness"
This was signed General Bradenburg''
a name and character assumed by Dues-
trow during the past few months.
The murderer partook of scanty
breakfast. and. when it was finished,
threw himself on his cot and gave way
TO a burst of tears. He sobbed con-
ylllsively. and cried out frequently, "Oh.
Cod This Is terribler' He appealed
to the deputy sherlffs to procure him a
bottle Of brandy, but the request was
not granted II would have been MS
first drink since the day of the tragedy
had it been given him
STIAIULANTS GIVEN HIM.
About 10 o'clock Duestrow. having be-
come more composed, repeated his re-
quest for brandy, and it was given him.
Shortly before l o'clock Sheriff Puchta
notified Duestrow that his last hour had
arrived. and in a few minutes the guards
announced that all was in readiness Tor
the execution. The Sheriff gave the
order to proceed. and the march to the
scaffold was begun, the Sheriff leading
the way. followed by Duestrow. with a
deputy sheriff on either side, and large
crowd of newspaper-men and doctors.
Duestrow was apparently unconcerned,
and when he had mounted the scaffold
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
a big mistake is being made
DENIES HIS IDENTITY.
Then. as the rope was being adjusted
about his neck, he asked: May l say a
| few words?"
The Sheriff gave assent, and Dues,row
/ spoke in almost a whisper, as follows: Il
wish to say that a big mistake Is being
made here. / am General Bradenburg, oil
| the United States army. l am not the
| man whom you accuse. l am not a muir
| derer Of a woman and child. l now
stand before you, sir. bound and tried,
| criminal, but l am innocent Of any crime
l 20 at peace with my Lord / want you
TO say that l thank my attorney, ex-
| Governor Johnson, Of st. Louis, for what
| he has done for me-"
The condemned man hesitated. as II
about TO talk more, but Sheriff Puchta
raised his hand, the black cap was placed
/ over Duestrow's head, and the cord drawn
/ tightly. Duestrow shouted to one Of the
deputies. "Good-by. Simon" and the trap
was sprung. The black form fell through
the hole and twisted about two or three
times. The neck was not broken, and IN
eight minutes after l o'clock he was pro-
| nounced dead.
MAY BE A 2OST-MORTEM.
The body was turned over TO an under
! taker representing Miss Hulda Duestrow,
of ST. Louis, sister of the dead man,
and will be taken 10 that city, where the
remains win be inferred alongside the
murderer's father, in Bellefontaine Gene
terv The undertaken stated that he had
positive instructions not 10 embalm the
body. and this is taken as evidence that
a post-mortem examination Will be made
TO determine the condition Of Duestrow s
brain.
Duestrow was in receipt OF an income OF
s1o o0o a wear for life, settled upon him by
his father He was studying meolclne III
| 81 Louis. but had practically given MN
self nm ia drink and other designations.
DUEsTROW'S CRIMES.
IN the dav OF the murder he had made
an engagement with his wife TO take her
| sleigh-riding When he went TO keep his
appointment he was drunk and quarrel
some and abused the servant who adj
| rnitted him TO the house. His VIE en-
deavored 10 draw his attention from the
! servant when he turned upon her sho'
her four times and then held up theiI
habv against the wall, and put puile'
through its head. ~.
A fortune has been spent in the enor'
~ clear Duestrow on the ground or IN
sapitv There have been five continu-
ances. one mistrial, one appeal, and one
change OF venue in the cause. The case
sttracted wide attention, and has estao-
ushed many precedents by court rulings
upon insanity pleas in defence.
Ind and n Duriy Negro Ray the
Death Penalty.
ST LOUIS, MO. February 1.-Two
men met death on the salows III inc