Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-10
THE ROPE SNAPPED.
ANDERSEN, THE OLIVE PICKER
MURDERER, HANGED TWICE
IN The JAIL-YARD AT NORFOLK.
History of His Casc-The Execution
Of Jordon webb mt Court'a""'
SOUTHAMPTON County, for the Usual
Crime.
Crime.

NORFOLK. VA. December 9.-(SpeciaL)
John Andersen, the Swedish COOK OF the
schooner Olive Pecker. was hanged twice
in the yard of the Norfolk city jail inns
afternoon. Up TO the last the condemned
man hoped the President would intervene
but at 8 o'clock, no word having come
from Washington, United States Marshai
Treat proceeded to carry out the seVerai-
times-deferred execution Of the sentence
first imposed last December. Andersen
spiritual adviser wept as he kissed MN III
farewell Then the trap was sprung ana
an awful scene ensued The rope, when
had been tested four times with 2OO-pound
weights, snapped under Andersens lou
pounds, and the unfortunate man was
thrown violently, head first, against the
base Of the scaffold. He was hastily pick
ed I'D. and taken, In an unconscious
state, IT is claimed. upon the scat
fold again. The moose was for the
second time adjusted, the black cap fit
ted. and Andersen's body again shot
through the trap. This time the rope held,
and after fifteen minutes the body was
cut down.
Andersen marched from his cell to the
scaffold unsupported and with firm tread,
ascending the steps without assistance.
After prayer by Rev. ]. b. Merritt, chap
lain of the Seamens Bethel, he made
short speech, saying he had forgiven the
men who swore his life away, and would
die at peace with the world and God.
He spoke pleasantly to and smiled at the
dea tn watchers and on the crowd below.
and I'm a firm voice said: II am ready"
AS the black-cap dropped over his head
Il hid his smile from view. Deputy-Clty-
Sergeant Ralston, of Richmond, who
strapped his limbs, says there was not
the slightest tremor Of a muscle. When
the rope broke a thrill of horror ran
through the crowd and Andersen, after
being picked up, was placed in a chair,
but never spoke, and preparations for the
rehanging were hurriedy made. The
other end of the rope-the end with which
the negro murderer Downing was hanged
here December - 1886. and later man
in MecklenbuTg-wa used.
Marshal Treat refused to turn the BODY
over to the Virginia Anatomical Society,
and IL was placed in a handsome casket
and buried I'm the seamen's lot in Elm
wood Cemetery.
Before the first fall all had left the
scaffOld except Messrs. Treat, West and
Ralston and the prisoner. When the rope
broke there was a cry from some one In
the crowd. lcltBIdpn 10 lne 1TeSiueut'
The history Of Anderseu's crime is IA
miliar to the Dispatch readers. After kill
ing the captain of the Pecker he shot tho
mate several times and forced the crew
20 throw the dying man overheard. He
then made the crew soak the timber with
which the vessel was loaded with oil and
set fire to 1t, and with the crew took to
the boats. Once on a technicality he es-
capped the gallows only by ten minutes.
His counsel made desperate efforts 70 save
him. and up to last night hoped that the
President would grant him a reprieve and
finally commute his sentence.
The Deputy City Sergeant from Rich
mond had been sworn in as a special
deputy marshal
(The question arises, Did not the Deputy
Sergeant vacate that Office when he took
the oath as Marshal Treats deputyO