The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-15
HIS NERVE GAVE OUT
Murderer Jacks Defed God
and the Priests.
BUT ON THE SCAFF0LO
Things Seemed Altogether
Diferent--0ther Hangings.

| Chicago. H.. Oct. I4.-George H. Jacks,
| formerly chief of police at Muskeson.
! Mich. and John Druggan. both convicted
murderers. were hanged on the same scat
| fold in the county Jail this afternoon.
Some time before the hanging Jacks sent
the following letter TO the jailer:
Mr.. Whitman: My Dear Sir-Plesse do
! not let any Of the clergy in to see me. II
I. an innocent man. be hanged today with
out the right to .ave the highest court in
the land pass upon my case. which is all
prepared. at great expense to myself and
| labor TO my friends; If I am refused this
right. which every man is entitled 10. there
certainly can be no God above US. and IN
that case the clergy can do me no good.
so please do not allow any 10 see me.
Yours. GEORGE II. JACKS"
This request was complied with.
Jacks was convicted OF the murder Of
Andrew McCheenan. an aged collector
and solicitor. whom Jacks. assisted by
William ]. Willows. now serving fourteen
years for completely in the crime. decoyed
into an apartment house on Indiana ave-
D
Jacks had long criminal record. When
chief of police Of the Michigan city he also
held the position OF deputy United States
marshal and was a member of the fire de-
partment While holding these official
positions he committed a long series OF
burglaries. for which he was finally con-
victed and sentenced TO the Michigan peni-
tertiary for four years. Upon his release
he came to Chicago and returned 10 his
old mode OF living. Jacks was out on
bonds for a burglary when he was arrested
on the charge of murder.
Druggan was convicted Of the murder OF
Robert F. Gudgeon. a saloon keeper. whom
Druggan attempted to roo.
Druggan was brought in first. The trap
was sprung and in seventeen minutes he
was pronounced dead. His body was then
cut down the trap replaced and Jacks twas
brought in. In fourteen minutes his heart
ceased to beat Both men died OF strangu-
lation. Neither man had anything to say
on the scaffold. Jacks prayed constantly
while the moose and shroud were being
adjusted
Just before going to the scaffoid Jacks,
Notwithstanding his remarkable letter. con-
sented to accompanied by a priest. On the
way 10 the scaffold Jacks repeated aloud
after the priest the prayers which the
priest voiced Jacks was very much agi-
tated
Druggan. who consented a day or two
ago TO accept an offer Of priestly service.
was comparatively composed. Unlike
Jacks he did not pray aloud contenting
himself With ferventIy kissing a crucffix.
at the last moment held to his lips.
20. Lord. have mercy on my SOUL" were
the last words OF Jacks.
HANGED AT SAN QUENTIN.
San Quentin. Cal, Oct 14-Murderer
John Miller. the hunchback, was hanged
here at 1920 o'clock today. He was cool
to the end After the drop the blood squirt
ed in great quantities from his neck. He
was nearly decapitated.
The crime for which Miller was hanged
was the killing OF James ChI:ds of San
Francisco. IN November, 1896. Being in love
with a woman named Mrs. Nellie Ryan,
Miller called 10 see her after she had in
formed him that she did not care for his
company. This aneered Miller and he
threatened 10 kill her. On the day Of the
murder he renewed his threats and she
fed down C,ementina street followed BY
Miller. who had a pistol In hand. Mrs
Ryan's calls for help attracted James
Childs who came 10 her rescue. but was
shot dead by Miller.
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