The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-02-18
RASINGER BROKE ROPE
WifeMurderer's Body Fell to Ground,
His Head Striking ScaffOld.
DEATH WAS INSTANTANEOUS
When Body Fell Spectators Gasped In
Horror, and Officers Seized Rope,
Pulling Body to Hanging Position.
Walked smilineIy to Galows.

'd'y ~
Bridgcton. y. j.. Feb. lG.-G'ranl
Rasinger was hanged here for the
murder of his wife Rasngcr was pro-
nOunced dead 10 minutes after the
drop fell His neck was broken when
the drop fell Rasinger's body pitched
downward. rebounded slightly and the
rope broke at the upper cross beam.
The body fell heavily to the ground,
which caused those present 10 gasp In
horror. Officers ran 10 the scaffOld,
seized the broken rope and pulled the
bod, 10 hanging position There was
only a slight movement OF the legs.
and the physicians stated that Ra-
singers neck was broken by the fall.
and that he was dead before the body
struck the ground.
Rasingcr made no statement on the
gallows. simply saying goodbye to the
officials OF the Jail
From the third floor Of the Jail the
hanging was Witnessed by Rasnger's
older brother Albert and two brothers
~ law-Albert Raincr and Frank New
kirk. They showed no emotion as the
doomed man ascended the gallOws but
when the rope broke Albert Rasinger
swept his hands across his forehead
and exclaimed. Great God, This is
awful" Then he turned toward the
window and peered through the bars
at the scene about the scaffOld. He
hurried from the Jail as soon as the
body was lowered and went to the I'M
dertakers
Rasinger walked almost smilingly 10
the gallows and as he passed through
the shcrins office said TO those assem-
bled there Goodbye. boys without
n tremor Immediately after Rasinger
stepped upon the trap the black cap
was drawn over his head. the rope adj
msted. and then Sheriff Diament pulled
the lever
There was an involuntary exclama-
ton from the hundred or more men
who were within the stOckade, and
many turned their faces away I This
sound had not died away before there
was a cry Of horror that caused the
sheriff to turn as he was half way
down the steps. On the ice below the
scaffod lay Frank Rasinger. fiat on his
back. On the first rebound after the
trap was sprung the rope broke about
a foot from the top cross bar
Il had parted clean. Rasngers heels
struck the ice and slid from under him.
He went down heavily. the back OF his
head smashing against a solid beam.
For moment the body lay there.
Then some recovered from their horror
and called ont. Lift him up Instantly
half-dozen men sprang under the
platform and handed the body 10 two
jailers. vino ran up the steps. They
made PREPARATION to pass the rope over
the cross bar. but one OF the doctors
called for them to simply hold on to
the rope and let the body swing clear
Of the edge of the platform. Even after
this was done the men who had lifted
the body held it mp. and it was not
until some cool head cried out for'them
TO let him down for Gods sake" that
they released their hold
The statement that Rasinger had
confessed to his father-in-law was de-
MED absolutely by Rev. DR.. Stultz. as
well as the sheriff The latter said that
Mrs. Rasinger's father had not visited
his son-in-law since the latter's con-
yiction.
Rasinger did, however, make con-
fession to the minister He said that
he had no reason TO kill his wife; that
she had not repulsed him. At times,
he said. she had twitted him. and on
the fatal day he had picked up the gun
intending to kill himself. when he was
seized with an irresistible impulse to
kill his wife instead, and had done so.
The man further stated that he bore
no resentment against anyone. and was
fully prepared for death. which, he
said. he deserved.