Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-22
PAY DEATH PENALTY
Three Oar Barn Bandits
Hanged at Chicago Today.
HELD NERVE TO THE END
NIEDERMEYER THE ONLY ONE
TO EXHIBIT ILL-FEELINa.
snatched Death Warrant From the
nonaIfvta n~o,,,lnI F1,oir
Snatched Death Warrant From the
Deputy's Hands-occupied Chair on
Trap-story Of Crimes.

CHICAGO, April 22-Compelled to be
carried to the scaffold Peter Niedermeyer.
leader OF the car barn bandits, was hang
ed here today at 1925 O'clock. Weak and
pale, but with a slight suggestion of a
smile, the bandit failed to carry out his
oft repeated boast that he would die be-
fore reaching the gallows. Hanging of his
associates, Gustav Marx and Harry Van
Dine, quickly followed.
Although 1t was expected at first that
Nfedermeyer would be able to walk to the
gallows with but little or no assistance, it
was found at the last moment that he
was too weak. Straps were placed over
his ankles and lust above his knees. He
was then placed on a truck and wheeled
to one of the lower floors of the Jail, after
which he was carried to the scaffold and
placed in chair on the trap.
No Question Asked.
He was not asked the customary ques-
ton if he had anything to say and the
rope was quickly placed about his neck.
He instinctively settled his neck into the
moose and the trap sprung. The body
shot through the trap and for twenty min
utes after it moved convulsively, the physi-
clans at first being of the opinion that he
was strangling to death, that the rope had
been placed too low. After examination,
however, the physicians announced that
his neck had been broken.
Niedermeyer appeared on the scaffold
wearing a red rose, but without coat
Previous to the execution and during the
reading of the death warrant Niedermeyer
spatched the paper from the chief deputys
hands and placed it in a pocket. He made
angry remarks at this time and once or
twice when he was being taken to the scat
fold.
Marx Made No Statement.
Shortly after IL o'clock Marx was led 10
the scaffold, neatly dressed and with
white rose as boutoniere which had been
given him by his small sister the night
before. He was pale. but his couragesnever
left him while he stood on the scaffold.
He made no statement. Two priests of the
Roman Catholic Church. of which Marx
hao become member, accompanied him to
the gallows. He repeated the Litany with
them, Kissed a crucif1x after which The
jailer adjusted the moose and sprang the
trap at 11:17 He was pronounced dead at
1l:34 his neck having been broken
Reconciliation Before Death.
Harvey Van Dine was hanged a short
time after the execution of his companion,
Marx, who, but few days before, was a
bitter enemy of Van Dine. They, how
ever. were the best of friends in their las.
hours of life. JiS
Incidents of Van Dimes. execution were
similar to those which characterized the
execution Of Marx Like Marx Van Dino
was composed preceding execution. With
the Catholic priests who had ACCOMPANIED
Marx. Van Dine walked unfalterlngly 10
the scanold, attiFed neatly in black like
Marx, and wearing white waistcoat and a
Van1Dine seemed to be even more calm
IMAM ms companion, Marx, who went to
aeath shortly before Van Dine made no
statement of any kind while on the s. "A fold
but the prayer which he repeated with his
spiritual advisers was quite audible.
with Van Dimes lips still moving in
prayer the trap was sprung at II 80. His
neck was broken.
Incidents of the Execution.
Just before Niedermeyer was taken to
the gaiows he was asked it, like his COM
panions, he wished to accept of the sacra-
ments. He answered that he cared moth
ing for spiritual advice, and wished no
priest among those who would follow him
to the gallows.
When the drop fell the shroud about
Niedermeyer's body fell apart and to the
onlookers was revealed for twenty minutt q
the horrifying struggles of the desperate
Niedermeyer.
The death of Marx and Van Dine was
unaccompanied by any similar spectacle.
n dramatic incident, however, preceded
When the TALLER entered Marks room to
give notice to prepare for the end Marx
said:
II want to see Harvey
Van Dine brought from his room a
few steps away into Marks room. When
the two men faced each other Marx said:
Harvey, 1 hope to see you in heaven
and l think will meet again"
Van Dine seemed to be more affected than
Marx: He replied:
81 hope so.''
Marx said II am ready" and went to
the scaffold with the priests.
Preparatory to the third execution the
rope tested with bag of sand 1t
was feared the strands might have become
weakened by the strain of the two preyf-
GUS hangings. The rope, however, was
found to be satisfactory.
COUNTY JAIL, Chicago, April 22-With
execution so near as to be awaited by min
utes, Peter Niedermeyer Gustav Marx
and Harvey Van Dine, the car barn ban
dts. today after practically sleepless
night prepared for the end At first 1t
was the intention of Sheriff Barrett to hang
the trio simultaneously on one scaffold, as
the anarchists were executed some years
ago. The plan, however, was abandoned
mainly on account of Niedermeyer's at
tempt al suicide. which has left him in a
weakened condition. and made it advisable
that he should be hanged alone.
A large crowd assembled at the jail pre-
ceding the hour of execution, and sought
admission, but they were turned away
Only limited number provided by law
were allowed in the Jail to witness the ex-
ecution of the bandits, whose careers-with
Emil Roeski, imprisoned for life a few
days before-were closed at practically the
same time.
Neidermeyer continued to reject all spir-
itual advice, and 1t seemed that he would
carry out his idea OF dying an atheist
Jailer Whitman said Neidermeyer 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. sew
eraI nuns and priests being with them
constantly. 7ttJ L
Marx asserted he was feeling fine. His