The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-02-21
ROPE PARTS At HANGING
Frank Raisinger Suffers The Death
Penalty at Bridgeton, N. ].
Accident occurs During the Executions
Story Of the Murder which the
Calprit Committed Last Far.

BflugetOn, n. J.--An accident turned
the execution of Frank Raisinger, the
wife murderer, in the jail yards here,
into distressing spectacle.
When the drop was sprung at 9.57
a. M, the gallows rope parted, and the
body fell through the open trap to the
ground. In the fall Raisinger's head
struck with great force against a beam
OF the scafEolding. the neck being bro
ken. The physicians said that death
was instantaneous. The rope was
seized by the men on the scaffolding.
and the body was held suspended by
them for Ten minutes to insure death.
Raisinger showed the stoicism
which marked his demeanor during his
trial and after his sentence. AS he
passed through the sheriff's Office he
merely said: "Goodby, boysp'
With his spiritual adviser on one side
and Sheriff Dianent on the other, the
condemned man walked across the Jail
yard to the spot where the gibbet had
been erected He mounted the steps
with firm tread and was perfectly
composed while the cap and rope were
being adjusted, Dust before the black
hood was pulled down over his face,
the sheriff asked him if he desired to
say any thing; Raisinger shook his
head.
There was a cry of horror among
the spectators as the body shot up in
The air, and the rope was seen to snap.
The body fell back again through
the open trap, striking against the side
OF the aperture. Many OF those present
turned away in horror at the sight
Constable Tumy and others on the
scatfold took the rope as it was passed
up TO them, and, hauling up the body,
hung it suspended, the feet a few in
ches from the ground. This human
gallows performed its part for ten
minutes, when the body was lowered
and it was announced that life was ex-
tinct. DR.. Sites said, however, that
the neck was broken by the fall, and
that death had Immediately occurred.
Sheriff Diament was greatly affected
by the accident. He said that he was
unable to account for the parting of
the rope, which was three-Quarters
inch MANILA, and which had been test
ed with weights 100 pounds heavier
than the weight of Raislnger's body.
1t had been purchased especially for
s1kd
taken hold of the rope, also, after they
had time to realize the part they had
had in the hanging, were almost over
come.
The gaIlows used was the same on
which Job Williams was hanged two
years ago for the murder of John S.
Holmes and his housekeeper, Gather
inc Shute.
onsc I.
fore. leaving everything to his father,
B. f. Raisinger, in trust for his son,
Paul. Prosecutor Fithian assisted him
in drawing up the document.
1t was reported that Raisinger had
made new confession, which was to
be made public after his execution.
but the Jail officials denied this
The crime for which Raisinger paid
the death penalty was the murder OF
his young wife. On October IS. 1904,
Raisinger went into the kitchen where
she was at work and endeavOred to
kiss her. She repulsed him, and Rails
niger left the house. Later he re-
turned, and in order to protect herself,
Mrs. Raisinger seized a gun and threat
ened to shoot him. s}
He again left, but few minutes
later quietly re-entered, and securing
the gun, shot his wife. Death was not
instantaneous, and Raisinger sent an
other load of shot into her body He
then arranged the body and clothing
OF Mrs. RaisInger to make it appear
that she had been murdered
This theory was accepted by the
neighbors, but later the coroners ply
stefan pronounced the case one of sni-
eide and 0oVa q carfiffoafn of hl1riaI
An investigation was begun by the
prosecutor of the county, and detect
ives soon fastened the crime upon Rails
niger. The latter confessed. He was
placed on trial in January. and his tes-
tiInony was Of such a revolving char
acter that the judge appealed to the
murderer's counsel to remove the wit
ness from the stand.