Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-04-28
A TRIPLE HANGING.
The Three Car Barn Bandits Die on
the Gallows.
CARRIED TO SCAFFOLD
Marx Was Hanged After NiedermeieTs
Body Had Been Removed and Van
Dine Last-Marx and Van Dine Died
M Catholics, Neidermeler Atheist.

l
Chicago, April 23.-Atheist to the
last, but seemingly unnerved complete
ly, Peter Neidermeier, leader OF the
car barn bandits, was hanged yester-
| day from a chair, contrasting with his
companions in crime, Gustav Marx and
Harvey Van Dine, who, standing erect,
kissed an image of Christ and died
without a tremor. The three execu-
lions were separate, 20 minutes apart,
the same scaffold being used for all.
Only once before in the large number
Of executions that have taken place
in Chicago has It been necessary to
carry q condemned man to the gallows
The crime for which the three bandits
paid the penalty was one OF eight
murders which the three men are
known to have committed; that OF
Francis W. Stewart, clerk In the car
barns of the Chicago City railway.
Neidermeier had boosted continually
Of his courage, but as the last moments
approached he collapsed and was I'M
able to take three consecutive steps
of a march to the gallows. DR.. F. W.
Mcnamara, Jail physician, had visited
Neidermeier previously and said that
his physical condition was satisfactory.
The bandit leader himself told CHER
Deputy Sheriff Peters, who appeared
with the death warrant, that the last
walk would be without aid. Deputy
Peters then read the document and
Neldermeier started from his CELL He
had gone only two steps when he sank
and 1t was found necessary to lift him
to the scaffold. Immediately Neider-
meier's feet were strapped together.
He was handcuffed, placed on a hospi-
tai truck and wheeled to the end OF a
tier of cells. Then three deputies car
ried him down flight Of stairs. En-
tirely contrary to general expectation
Neidermeier made no effort at resist
ance. Saying nothing and almost IN
a daze, he was seated on chair placed
over the trap Of the gallows. NO
preacher or priest accompanied Neider-
meier, he having finally said, when Of
fered a last opportunity before leaving
his cell, he would die as he had lived,
an atheist.
On the scaffold Jailer Whitman dis
regarded the custom Of asking whether
the condemned man wished to say any
thing. The shroud and hood were
quickly adjusted. The bandit, moving
his head that the rope might more
easily be arranged, took a last glance
at the spectators. He appeared as II
in stupor. A moment later, at TO-"
o'clock, the trap fell, the chair being |
quickly removed as the body shot
downward. The shroud became partly |
disarranged and, fearful muscular
struggles of the dying man continued
for Is minutes in view Of the witnesses
of the execution. An official examine
ton showed that his neck had been
broken.
Marx and Van Dine asked that they
be allowed to bid one another good
by and this was granted. They coun-
seled each other to be brave and Joined
In hoping they would meet again"
The men had been bitter enemies until
q few days before the execution, Van1
Dine being incensed at Marx for maxi
ing the confession which led to the
capture Of the other bandits.
When the body Of Neidermeier had
been removed Marx walked slowly tc
he scaffold with several priests, after
having confessed, repented and re-
,eived the last sacraments, as did Van
Dine, both having been converted tol
the Roman Catholic faith. Marx. like
Van Dine, was neatly attired in black
md in the coat lapel Of each was q
white rose. Neidermeier had worn
,ose Of dark red. Marx showed no
emotion while on the scaftold and, ir
. steady voice, repeated litany after
he priest He fervently kissed the
,rucifx and, at 11:17 o'clock, was
hanged. His neck was broken.
While Van Dine stood on the drop
praying and waiting for his arms to
be- pinioned and his legs secured the
moose fell from the cross piece of the
and dangled before the eyes Of
he bandit. Disregarding the moose,
Van Dine continued praying steadily