The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-04-12
HANGED 1T SUNRISE
Thirty-Five Minutes Before a
Reprieve Came.
D0CKERY WAS SLEEPY
And Didn't Read the Message
That Came to Him.

81. Louis, April u.-Henry Flutchcr.
coIored, was hanged at sunrise today fer
the murder of Louis Roth. &c years old.
August p. 1900
At Gas a. m, just thirty-fve minutes
/ after the fatal drop ren. the following
telegram was received by the sheriff from
Governor Dockey. granting a respite OF
fifteen days:
Jefferson City. Mo, April u.-Joseph
F. Dickmann. Sheriff. ST. Louis-I' have
granted a respite OF fifteen days IL case
Of Henry Flutcher. 20 be hanged today
Stay execution Answer
(Sisned) "A. NJ. DoCKERY..
Governor
The following reply was sent:
st. Louis, Apri. IA. NJ Dockery,
Governor. jefferson City. No. - Henry
Flutcher executed $40. Telegram OF re-
spite received Gas.
(Signed)
JOSEPH E DICKNANN. Sheriff"
At Il o'clock last night Circuit At
torney Foulk telegraphed Governor Dock
cry recommending a ten days reprieve
in order 10 investigate more fully some
evidence 10 the effect that Flutcher acted
In self defense when he killed Roth a re-
ply to this message reached the Four
Courts at a. m. Friday. Mr.. Foulk not
being there. Sheriff Dickmapn received
the dispatch 1t was from the telegraph
Office OF Jefferson City and stating that
the Foulk message had been delivered
to the governors mansion. II read;
Jefferson City. 1886 a. m-Joseph ".
NJ Dockery. signed Foulk. received.
Messenger reports governor would not
come to door; stuck his head out of sec
ond story window and asked: What's
wanted?" Messenger told him nature OF
message. He told him to put II under
door; made no reply"
Sheriff Dickmann concluded that this
meant no Interference and went on with
his preparations for the execution. Flut-
cher was told of the circumstance. but
evinced 10 surprise at the outcome. He
lost all hope at midnight.
At $50 Sheriff Dickmann told the con
demned boy TO prepare for the march TO
the gallows. With Flutcher was Rev. Mr..
Roberts. pastor OF St. Pauls NJ f. chapel
The next five minutes were spent in
prayer. Flutcher praying aloud in a Arm
voice. When he had finished he turned
20 q deputy and placed his arms behind
him.
Wen go now" he said quietly. and
the rope was tied over his elbows
About 800 persons were present at the
hanging.
The boy walked to the gallows with
steady step. and when asked BY the sher-
III II he wished TO say anything. began
a speech that Occupied three minutes. Re
declared that he fred the fatal shot but
disavowcd any intention Of murder. His
object was merely TO disarm his assanant. /
Flutcher concluded as follows:
Without the desire 10 reflect on the
men who sent me TO this fate, the worst
that can befall a mortal man. ] want 20
say that not only have been prosecuted. !
hut relentlessly prosecuted as well
This shameful end 10 my life. bays
life. marks the final triumph OF money
over justice.
"The time is past when anything can
be done. Death is very near 20 me. but
before it laws It's hand. let me say q part
ing word Shun evil mpaniOns, advice /
that is just as good for the old as the
young Had / done 50. there would have
been no fight. no shooting. no hangman's I
Moose.
with a wide speep OF his hand. he bade
the crowd goodbye and turned 10 the ]
sheriff.
Rev. Mr.. Roberts stepped forward and I
asked for a final prayer. This was made /
kneeIing.
Twenty seconds later Sheriff Dickmann /
sprung the trap. Flutchers neck was /
broken IN tho drop. After formal in- /
quest the body was turned over 10 the /
family.
Il did my duty" said Sheriff DickmaBn I
after the hanging. and N glad its over.
THE death war--1t called on me TO 4
execute Flutcher between the hours Of 6 \
in thu morning and in the afternoon.
II IVES nearly fifteen minutes after IN
the morning when the drop fell.
The answer 70 M Foulks telegram
20 the governor came % the -Four Courts
az 2s9 in the morning. IN the form q a
dispatch from the Western Union Office
a. Jefferson cts.
Mr.. Foulk had gone home ard open
20 the telegram. thinking Il might contain
reprieve Instead q said the governor
had come % a window ard been tod fhe
nature of the message and had directed g
20 De placed under the door and had shut
the window down without sending au
answer.
u supposed that ended the matter and
lest 70 hope.
ar. FouK. whom one q the news
rer4r men called over The telephone.
thought TIE same ard so Cd the prisoner.
he had given 70 hope early Thrradsy
ana dl1 not express any expectation ~
q reF1fte