The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-17
Body Cut Down Five Minutes Later,
and viii he Taken to Marion
To-day for Burial.
IN STRICT ACCORD WITH LAW
EVERY DETAIL OF THE HANGING
REGULATED BY MIR. REID.
How Rinknrd spent His Last Day
story of the Crime for Which lie
Paid the Penalty.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. Jan. l6-John
Rinkard. the Marion wife murderer. walked
bravely to the scaffold and in few brief
minutes had paid the penalty OF his crime
Warden Reid entered the condemned
mans cell but minute or two after Thurs
day midnight and told him to get ready.
Two guards then entered, and as the old
man arose grasped him by either arm.
leading him from the cell at 1905. Assist
ance of the officers would have been un-
necessary. for the old man walked with
measured stride to the gaIlows and as
cended the sips almost without help. The
moose was adjusted and Warden Reid asked
the doomed man if he had anything to
say
He made no reply. The black cap was
drawn and the drop fell at I2:Oe. Three
minutes later he was pronounced dead by
the prison physician. DR.. b. S Horne. and
DR.. J. w. Hill. of South Bend. Rinkard's
neck was broken by the fall. AT I2:14 the
body was cut down.
Rinkard left letter to his old friend. the
Rev. Constantine NJ snugart. Of Marion.
with the request that it be not opened until
after his death. The letter was rambling
and incoherent In it he gave directions
for the disposal Of his body and expressed
sorrow for his crime.
Rinkard's last day was spent as the
other days have been spent since his con-
fnement began. That he feared his i'm
pending fate was evident by his remarks
10 the chaplain. which were few. He
eagerly accepted the ministrations OF the
clergyman who was with him almost all
day and night until he was taken from
his cell. He listened attentively to the
reading of the Bible. prayers and spiritual
consultations. and then said:
II don't deserve TO hang. l killed her.
but she wouldn't live with me-"
The chaplain spoke TO the aged murderer
about his army experience R.nkard was a
private in the Fifty-hfth Ohio Infantry
during the civil war, seeing much hard
service. The chaplain led Rinkard to think
that the ordeal would be no worse 10 face
than the bullets and cannon Of the Con-
federate army
Rinkard slept well Wednesday night and
ate his meals heartily to-day. The prison
physician saw him but found 1t unneces-
sary to prescribe for the old man. The
death warrant was read TO Rinkard by
Warden Reid at IL o'clock. after which
final preparations were rapidly completed
for the last Rinkard was provided
with a new black suit. which he donned
without much show OF trepidation. The
execution followed, as related in the fore
going.
Only those for whom the law provides
witnessed the execution. These were War
den Reid, Deputy. Warden Barnard. Chief
Clerk Lewis, Chaplain Henderson, Dr.
Horne, the prison physician. and his assist
ant and the six guards. Rinkard had de-
sired the presence Of the Rev Constantine
Shugart Of Marion. but when the latter
arrived Thursday afternoon he said he did
not care to witness it. Mr.. Shugart brought
request for the body and Will take IL to
Marion. where he has a lot in readiness
\ for the burial to-day.