The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-03-08
ROPE PARTS AT HANGING
Frank Raisinger Suffers the Death
Penalty at Bridgetou, N, J.
Accident Occurs During the Executions
Story Of the Murder Which tho
cuiprlt Committed Inst FAIL.

E~riGgeton. y. IAN accident turned
the execution of Frank Raisinger. the
wife murderer. in the Jail yards here.
into a distressing spectacle.
When the drop was sprung at 9.J1
a. m. the ga!lows rope parted. and the
body fell through the open trap to the
ground. In the fall Raisluger's head
struck with great force against a beam
of the scaffolding. the neck being bro
ken. The physicians said that death
seized by the men OH 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. boys"
With his spiritual adviser on one side
and Sheriff Diament 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 a firm tread and "a perfectly
composed while the cap and rope were
being adjusted. Just before the black
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
scaffold 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 it's 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-quacters
inch MANILA. and which had been test
ed with weights 100 pounds heavier
than the weight Of Raisinger's body.
It had been purchased especially for
! the execution. The men who had
taken hold of the rope. also, after they
had time to realize the part they had
had in the hanging, were almost over
co.re.
The gallows' used was the same on
c,1,.ai Tah yUtrtio mo woo honOa6 fUN
years ago for the murder Of John S.
Holmes and his ~housekseper, Gather
| inc Shute.
| Raisinger made his will the dag be-
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 4 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
luStl lCI Az u HttS' ~ y
turned. and in order to protect herself.
Mrs. Raisinger seized a GUN and threat
ened 10 shoot him.
He again left. but a few minutes
later quietly re-entered, and securing
rhe gun, shot his wife. Death was not
instantaneous. and Raisinger sent an
other load Of shot into her body. He
then arranged the body aud clothing
Of Mrs. Raisinger to make it appear
| that she had been murdered.
This theory was accepted by the
| neighbors. but later the coroner's ply
sician pronounced the case one Of sui
! eide, ard gave a certificate OF burial.
An investigation was. begun by the
prosecutor of the county. and detect
| ives soon fastened the crime upon Rails
niger. The after confessed. He was
placed on trial III January, and his tes-
| timony was Of such a revolving char
acter that the judge appealed to the
murderer'S counsel to remove the wit
ness from the stand. .
-. r. S-JN