The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-16
WENT TO GALLoWS LAUGHING.
GLAsER DECLARED INNOCENCE ON
THE sCAFFOLD.

Albany Wife Murderer Hanged I'm
DOugherty JniI-Respite Was
Granted and Pardon Board Refus-
ed 10 Interfere-story of the Crime.
Wanted 10 Assist In building the
ScafTold-persistent Declarations
of Innocence Were Mysterious.
Albany. Ca, Dec. 15.-W. ]. Glaser was
hanged here to-day for the murder of his
wife, on the night Of Aug. 1, last.
The execution was private taking piace
inside the jail.
During his last moments, Glaser gave q
phenomenal exhibition of nerve. He par
ticipated in a short service conducted by
three local ministers. just before going up
on the gallows, and even laughed as he
stepped over the trap.
He declared with his last breath that
he was innocent OF the crime for which
he was about to be executed, and urged
the officers to continue to search for the
real murderer.
Just before the cap was placed over his
eyes he inquired OF Sheriff Edwards
whether he was standing In the right
place and as his face was hidden from
view he exclaimed:
God have mercy on my poor SOUL
His neck was broken by the fall and he
was pronounced dead In fifteen minutes.
story of the Crime.
Glaser's case has been a remarkable one
In many respects and has aroused public
interest In an unusual degree.
In face OF the overwhelming evidence
Sdduced at his trial, 1t seems impossible
For IN ytr.4aat FaFN ARA kNsAN L..
was the real perpetrator OF the horrible
crime for which he gave up. his life to-
day, yet the persistcncy with which he
has maintained his innocence and the un-
feigned cuimneSs with which he has
awaited the day appointed for his execu-
ton, cannot have failed TO impress the
average observer with the belief that no
has been either q most accomplished dis
sembler or has else believed that he Is am
innocent man.
Glaser's crime was committed on the
night OF Aug last. He and his wffo
lived In a little cottage Just beyond the
southern limits OF the city. II is prob
able that their domestic relations were not
OF the pleasantest character, for Glaser
was given to drink and probably abused
his wife. On the night Of the crime he
went home in a state OF beasty intoxica-
ton Certain It is that during the early
hours of the night the neighbors heard
sounds OF heavy blows proceeding from
Giasege nonee, and that the noise was
followed by deathlke quiet Next morn
Ing Chaser reported tnat his wife was
dead.
Mrs Glaser's head and body were
frightfully bruised and mangled, for she
had been literally pounded to death with
a heavy club. When viewed by the-coron-
er's jury her body lay on rude pallet
whlch laid beside the bed whereof Glaser
had slept off his drunken stupor
Pardon Board Did Nothing.
He made no effort 10 escape but when
arrested by Sheriff Edwards he wept BIT
terly. He WAS tried and convicted at the
last October term of Dougherty Supe-
rior Court. The evidence, though largely
clrcumstantial, was Overwhelming, and
CHASER was sentenced 10 be hanged on
Nov. a. A few days before he was to
have been executed he was respited by
Gov Gambler until Dec. 15 in order that
his case might be presented 10 the Pardon
Board, In the hope of securing Il coYnmtl-
tation of the sentence to life imprisonment.
The Pardon Board refused to interfere,
however, not deeming the sentence too
severe.
Chaser steadfastly protested his inno-
cence. He exhibited absolutely no fear OF
death, and seemed perfectly willing that
he should die. His one regret, he declar-
ed, was that his friends should believe
him guilty. He said he expected TO be
saved, though at the time of his arrest he
professed to be an infdel
While carpenters were engaged in build
ing his scaffold yesterday morning. Gia-
ser asked that he be allowed to assist in
the work, but this request was denied him.
He was a native of Germany about h5
years of age, and had once been man
of considerable means. He was the first
white person ever legally executed in
Dougherty county.