The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-30
For the murder of Lizzie weisenberger.

For the murder OF Lizzie WeiSenberger,
! thirteen-yea old girl, in August last
Benjamin H. Smell was yesterday hanged
| at the District Jail. SHELLS head was
nearly severed from his body. The doomed
man mounted the scaffold at six minutes
after Il o'clock, and one minute later. or
five minutes after the reading of the death
warrant, was plunged into eternity. Life
was pronounced extinct at 1880.
The body was cut down at 1885 and
| lowered into a coffin. Undertaken William
| S. Riley then took charge of the remains
| and removed them to his establishment, at
| 207 Second Street southeast. At late
| hour the funeral arrangements had not
| been completed. 1t was understood, how
! ever, that the body would be sent to
ocanee, Ga, the former home of Smell.
for burial.
That Smell met death quickly was 1e-
vealed by the examination made of the
body after it was cut down. The Jail
physician Stated that the extra large
seven-eiGhths inch rope had cut through
the throat vertebrae, tendons, ETC., sever
ing the jugular vein, the carotid artery,
windpipe, and all the smaller arteries. He
m.rveled that the decapitation had not
been complete, and said that had it not
been for the strength of the muscles of
the back Of the neck the head must neces-
sarily have been entirely severed The
jail physician was not the only one sur
prised at the result of the hanging, as
the jail attaches and the spectators all
expected a repetition of the horrible scene
accompanying the hanging of William Mad
ison Wyatt Stone, on the same scaffOld
on April 2. 1880. Stones head was torn
from his body-and because of the great
weight of Smell it was feared he would
suffer similar fate.
Warden James H. Harris was possibly
the most apprehensive person, as he had
elected to give Smell a five feet five inch
drop, and take a chance on decapitation
rather than that OF a slow death by
strangulation. AS 1t was, the catastrophe
hoped against but expected, was narrowly
averted. and had the drop been four inches
greater would certainly have occurred.
SHELLS weight was said to have been
about 275 pounds when he mounted the
scaffold. When arrested he weighed 800
pounds.
Smells Apparent Indifference.
Smell met death bravely. At no time did
he indicate that he felt the least fear. His
demeanor from the time he left his cell
after the reading of the death warrant until
the drop fell was practically the same as 1t
had been for days and weeks past. He was
Indifferent, nonchalant, and even reckless.
He shufied along across the ro;unda to the
scaffold yard and thence to the engine OF
death with the greatest unconcern. He
was apparently the same insane man h,
had wanted the public to believe him.
Those who had felt confident that Sne
would break down at the last minute were
relieved at the nerve of the man. Warden
Harris and his subordirates, and Fatte:
Mcguire, who walked to the scaffoId with
Smell, showed the relief they felt for they
too. had expected scene.
During the time occupied in the journey
to the scaffold. Smell constantly muttered
incoherently. His language vas such as
would be expected from an insane man or
one who affected insanity. He talked in
cessantly Of the electricity in his throat
and stomach, and declared that lie was be-
ing tricked. His last words were: Don't
forget to give the electricity 10 the doctor.
He knows about this here electricity"
Even as he spoke the drop fell.
Though Smell stoutly maintained until
Thursday night that he could not be ben
Gifted by spiritual advisers, he died profess
ing belief in the Catholic Church. Shortly
before the hour set for his execution lie was
| baptized and made confession to Father
Mcguire. The holy sacrament of com
muri0n was not administered. Smell de-
clared to Father Mcguire that he loved his
family and hoped they would love him and
be we'll cared for. He asked about his wife
ard daughter, whom he had not seen since
early the night before, and expressed con-
Germ fer them. The last'words lie uttered
before leaving his cell were that he loved
his God and expected to meet him. While
Smell was in conversation with Father Ma
guire, it is said, he was extremely nervous
but rational.
Witnesses Present Early.
Though those invited to witness the ex-
ecution understood that it was to occur
shortly after neon, they were on hand near
ly an hour before The number CT persons
present did not exceed twenty five, aud
they included the twelve jurors. newspaper
reporters. and the assistants to the Jail
physicians. The most conspicuous perst rs
present were Charles Weisenbelger. the
father OF the girl whom Smell murdered;
Daniels, the father-!n-iaw OF Shells daugh-
ter. and Policeman Patrick Creagh, who ar
rested Smell Immediately after the crime.
| Creagh was the only policeman who wit
| messed the execution
Mr.. Wefsenberger presented himself at
| the Jail door for admission about an kour
| before the execution He announced him.
| self in quiet way. and said he was reedy
| to see justice done. His interest in tie
proceeding was remarkable. AMI. to an ex-
| tent, morbid. His eyes never left Smell
| from the time he entered the scaffold yard
| until the drop fell. Even then he calmly
| contemplated the bleeding body with an
| evident air of satisfaction. When spoken
| TO regarding the execution and asked what
| he thought of it. Wesenbergsr replied:
| IT'S all over 1t is right. He got what he
deserved Think what he did NV heart
LAS been sore for a long time, but it fees
better now"
Smells Inst Night on Earth.
Smell passed comparatively good night
and apparently rested well. his sleep beng
broken only three times. He retired about
3 O'Clock. just an hour after the d. ath
watch was set. and shortly afterward a
| heavy breathing indicated to A. C. Arm
strong. the guard, who was seated out
sids the cell, that the sumber of tie
condemned ma: was profound.
On the occasions when Snell awakened
he Was non communicative. but appeared
no more depressed than usual. His ac-
tons were practically the same as at any
other time since his first attempt to Gre
ate the impression CT insanity. Taere was
only one noticeable difference, and that
was that Smell gave evidence that he real
lied the fate awaiting him. He app care /
reconcilcd. too. and remarked that he
would face death without flnching.
During his months OF confinement Smell
occupied the large double cell No "a on
the right hand side at the extreme south
ern end of the corridor. Thursday night
he was moved 10 cell No. /, at the extreme
northern end of the left hand corridor
and directly opposite the cell occupied
frr