The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-22
Niedermier First of the
Trio to Pay Death
Penalty.
REMAIN GAME TO END
Van Dine and Marx Die
PainlesSly-Pair Adopts
Catholic Belief.

CHICAGO, April 2a.-Peter Nieder-
mier, GuStave Marx, and Harvey Van
Dine, the scar barn" bandits, paid the
penalty for their crimes today by for
feiting their lives. They were hanged
in the Cook County jail in the order
named.
Niedermier was hanged at 1885 a. m.
His body was taken down at 1854. He
was carried to the gallows.
Marx dropped through the trap at
1907. He walked to the gallOws un-
assisted.
Van Dine was hanged at II:I5. He
also walked to the scaffold unaided.
The men met death with fortitude,
Niedernier refusing to accept belief In
any religion. Van Dine and Marx died
painlessly.
They were heavy men, and fail OF
four feet broke their necks, Niedermler'
a 1.-the and light stripping. writhed in
agony at the end OF the rope while 200
spectators watched his death throes.
The bodies We're removed TO an under
takers room, where the relatives will
permit the curiosity seekers TO view
them II the authorities will permit,
the relatives. who are destitute. will
charge admission fee to the morgue.
Cix-a TN Tbafr All
II was 10 O'Clock when Jailer Whit
man notified the condemned men TO get
ready for the end.
Before leaving their cells to enter the
chapel Marx and Van Dine gathered
their effects together and sent them TO
the jailer's Office. Besides erucifixes and
scapulars TO be carried TO the gallOws,
the condemned men retained nothing.
These belongings consisted of books on
religious subjects.
tather Cox, the priest who has been
trying 10 convert Nledermier. gave him a
book entitled Notes on Ingersoll" The
bandit read a Few pages and returned
The volume with the comment:
I get my opinions from my own
thoughts. not from lnRersoll or anyone
eIse. 1 wish / could believe in your re-
Aglon- II 1 could hypnOtize myself into
the belief / was gong somewhere 10 be
happy forever, don you think 1 would
=
There are no attractions here for men
Ike me.
Needed Early Advice
We grow up in the slums. half starved
and always miserable. We see our pa
rents work day after day like slaves,
year after year. and in the end they die
niserably. II / had had plenty Of money
or an education there might have been
some enjoyment for me. Chicago is full
Of boys ike me growing up without ad-
vice or help"
Ihe marcn TO the scaffold was then
taken up. Niedermier was the first TO
Van Dine.
Chief Deputy Peters ordered the Jury
OF physicians 20 take seats in front of
the gallOWs he instructed them how
10 cOnuuct themselves in examining the
bodies 10 ascertain II life was extinct.
Delay al the outset was caused by
Niedermlers refusal TO permit the
guards 70 escort him 10 the scanOld He
was carried through the long corridor.
A thousand prisoners signaled the hour
Of execution by shouting hats on
shout warned those in the execu-
tion chamber OF the approach OF the
condemned man. NIedermier was pale
and trembling. The smile that was his
facial characteristic seemed grimly out
Of place. The doomed man was quickly
pushed into an upright position on the
drop. Jaiier Whitman strapped his arms
and legs as further precautiOn.
Moose Promptly Adjusted.
With deft hands the jailer threw the
white domino over the mans shoulders.
Next he adjusted the moose, slipping the
knot under his ear. Without waiting an
instant the jailer stepped back and the
drop fell. COnvulsive movements OF the
body ensued
Niedermier refused to stand and was
placed in a chair. The chair fell with
- nrrs foil af "a.
minutes the body writhed and twisted
The doctors gathered around il and felt
the pulse
The man is conscious" said one
physician. He realizes his condition
lie may be too numbed 10 feel physical
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