Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-10

Norfolk, Va, December 9.-John An
derson, the condemned murderer of
Mate Saunders, OF the schooner Olive
Pecker, was executed in the jan at 3
p. m. to-day. He marched from his
cell TO the scaffold unsupported anG
with firm step, ascending the steps
without assistance. Anderson made a
short speech, saying he had forgiven
the man who swore his life away and
would die at peace.
AT 1906 the trap was sprung and An
dersons body shot downward. The
rope parted just inside the knot and
his body fell to the cobblestones. A
thrill of horror ran through the
crowd. officers and witnesses rushed
to the body and snatched the cap from
his head to find blood oozing from the
mouth, nose and eyes. The doctor was
called and soon Anderson opened his
eyes and, it was said, began TO breathe
naturally. He was carried, feet fore
most, up the stairs to the platform and
laid down till chair was obtained.
He was placed in this, but never spoke.
y Preparations for re-hanging him
we've hurrieGiy made. The other end
of the, rope was adjusted around his
neck. he was raised to standing
position and the straps again placed
on his limbs. While being sppprted by
the officers, the trap was again sprung,
In twenty-thfee minutes life was pro-
nounced EXTINCT Nine minutes elapsed
between the first and second drops.
Anderson's neck was broken, supposed
ly by the last drop.
Marshal Treat refused to turn the
body over TO the Virginia Anatomical
Society, and it was placed in hand
some casket and buried in the sea-
mems lot in Elmwood cemetery.
When the rope broke there was a
cry from some one in the crowd "Tele-
graph to the President"
Anderson's crime has attracted wide
spread attention, being a sea tragedy
Of singular romances and atIaessy. The
schooner Olive Pecker sailed from Bos-
ton laden with lumber. for point on
the river Platte. Brazil. When $50
miles off the coast of Brazil, Anderson,
Swede, had an alteration with the
captain. When the latter retired TO the
cabin, Anderson followed and shot the
captain dead. Then he armed himself
heavily and went on deck, where,
mounted on the forecastle, he terror
lied all on board. The mate, who was
aloft, was called down. and while
pleading for his life. was shot four
times. Then the crew were ordered to
throw the dying mate overheard, and
on protesting that he was not dead,
were assured that he was dead
enough" This done. the crew were
marched below at the point of a pistol
and ordered to throw the captains body
overheard Then Anderson directed
that oil be thrown over the lumber.
after which the oil-soaked ship was set
afire and the murderous crew took to
the boats. Anderson was apprehended
at Bahia, Brazil, and sent north on the
United States gunboat Lancaster. He
was tried and convicted in the United
States Court at Norfolk, Va, and a
stubborn fight was made up to the SUI
preme Court, the conviction being con-
frmed. The last move was an applica-
ton for a writ of habeas corpus on the
grounds that Anderson's constitutional
rights were invaded when the lower
court assigned him counsel instead Of
giving him counsel Of his own choice.
Chief Justice Fuller in announcing the
courts opinion. said the record OF the
case showed that no fundamental right
had been denied Anderson, but that he
had been represented from first to last
by able counsel The time when coun-
sci was not present was at prelim-
mary hearing of Anderson, but this
was not used in the subsequent trial
The decision of the lower court was
affirmed