Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-04-22


 after a practically sleepless night, prepared for the end. At first it was the intention of Sheriff Bardett to hang the trio simultaneously on one scaffold as the anarchists were exc cuted some years ago. The plan, however. was abandoned mainly on account of Neidermeier's attempt at suicide which has left him in a weak ened condition and made 1t advisable that he should be hanged alone.
 A large crowd assembled at the Jail preceding the hour of execution and sought admission, but were turned away. Only a limited number proved by law were allowed in the jail to wit ness the execution of the bandits.
 Neidermeier continued to reject all spiritual advice and it seemed that he would carry out his idea of dying an atheist. Jailer Whitman said Neid- ermeier would be able to walk to the gallows without assistance.
 Marx and Van Dine who had joined the Catholic faith recently spent their last hours in reading, writing and praying, several nuns and priests be- ing with them constantly.
 Marx asserted that he was feeling fine. His sweetheart was the last of his friends permitted to visit him. It was announced that the men would be hanged separately and in the follow ing order: Neidermeier first, then Marx and Van Dine last.
 Attorneys for Van Dine were trying to see the governor to obtain a stay of execution for the bandit the jailer safdy and that was why consent was given to hang Van Dine last. It was a governor would interfere as he had already refused clemency.
 Dr McNamara, the jail physician, visited all three of the bandits and said their condition under the circum- stances was all that could be expect ed. The death warrant was read to Neidermeier and shortly after 10 o'clock the march to the scaffold be- gan.
 1t was necessary finally to carry Niederrneier, leader of the car barn bandits, to the gallOws. He was weak and pale, but with a slight suggestion of smile the bandit failed to carry out his oft repeated boast that he. Weald die before he reHcned the gal- lows. The hanging of his associates Gustav Marx and Harry Van Dine, quickly followed
 
 that Niedermeier would be able to walk to the gallows with no assist ance, it was found at the last moment that he was too weak. Straps were placed around his ankles and just above the knees. He was then placed on a truck and wheeled to one of the lower floors of the jail. He was not asked the customary question if he had anything to say and the rope was quickly placed about his neck. He instinctively slipped his head into the moose and the trap was sprung. The body shot through the trap and for twenty minutes after it moved convul- sively. The physicians at this time were of the opinion that the rope was not placed properly and that he was strangling to death. After an exam dnation later, however, they found that his neck had been broken.
 Niedermeier appeared OH the scaf- fold without coat and wearing red rose. The other hangings were with. out any particular incident.
 Hanging of the youthful car barn bandits followed closely a period of crime Of less than six months In that time eight murders were commit ted, all attendant upon robberies or eff forts to escape arrest.
 lit was during an attempt to escape on a stolen train after an extraordin- ary battle in the swamps of northern Indiana. just east of Chicago, that on November 27 of last year the capture of the gang was completed by the ar rest of Niedermeier Van Dine and Emil Roeski, their associate, Marx having already been placed behind the bars to await trial.
 The specific offense for which Van Dine, Niedermeier and Marx were tried and sentenced was the murder of Frank Stewart. a clerk in the Chi cago City Railway car barns. during a robbery there on the morning of Au- gust 30. 1903. James B. Johnson, "a motorman, was also killed, and two persons were wounded. The bandits escaped after having secured $2,240. Roesd was not concerned in this crime but after the conviction of his companions was tried separately for one of the murders in which he was the principal. convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
 Apprehension of the trio in Indiana was brought about through the boast fulness of Marx, which also caused his own undoing. While under the influence of liquor, he displayed a magazine revolver of the kind known to have been used by the car barn murderers. Detectives Quinn and Blaul were detailed to arrest him. He killed Quinn and was captured after being wounded.
 Several days later Marx, angered at the failure of his companions to carry out a pre-arranged plan to dynamite the police station in which he was confined and secure his release, con fessed to the murders at the street railway barn and implicated Nieder- meier and Van Dine. Marx told of other desperate crimes they had com mitted and involved RoesIi. Until this admission identity of the perpe- traitors had remained a mystery.
 On Thursday evening, November 26. less than a week after the comics