The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1913-02-26
FOUGHT .
HIS EXECUT|0NER
And Went Struggling to
the Fatal Chair.
"AT0NEMEAT OF BLOOD" MADE
According to Legal Custom
In Utah, Where Con-
demned Has Choice.
TRYING TO ABOLISH CUSTOM

Salt Lake. Utah, Feb. 2I.-'F'or
Gods sake don't shoot me-not
that way! know chose shooting
when the Judge asked ME whether
preferred shooting or hanging
but don't want to be shot-not
now. Hang me, but don't shoot
mel" Shrieking and impotent with
fright, Frank Romeo. convicted OF
numbering Albert Jenkins, gamb-
Ter, of Price, Utah, collapsed as he
was led toward chair in the yrrd
of the penitentiary to be executed
to-day.
AS the Utah law permits, he was
given his choice as to the dee in
penalty, but last Saturday the
Board of Pardons committed the
sentence Of Robert zaffy. his aces
sorry to life imprisonment.
Both had been sentenced to be
shot to-day. 1t is thought that the
effect of the Pardon Boards action
was to change Romeos mind about
being shot.
In panic of fear, Romeo drop
ped to the ground. He was picked
up by Deputies and carried to the
chair. Father Vincent, Catholic
priest who attended him in his last
hours, was at his side.
The man had been blindfolded in
his cell. DR.. Lund, the prison ply
stefan, pinned a target over Romeo,s
heart. The murderer could not sit
ereN. His face twitched in an
agony, of fear, and II seemed that
his spine was too weak to hold him
up. He was tied back in the chair.
Five ri1emen stood behind a
screen 80 feet away. One of the
guns contained blank cartridge.
and none OF the five knew which
weapon was loaded The last per-
son to leave Romeo's side was the
priest. As Father Vincent stepped
aside. four bullets entered the muir
derer's heart. The priest advanced
and placed his hand over the
preparatory to administer
ing extreme JUNCTION. The blood
spurted, through the clergyman
fingers at each futter of the shat
tered organ of life.
The heart beats became weaker
and weaker as Father Vincent APP
piled the oil as part of the death
ritual. 1t was one of the most
tragic legal executions In the his
tory of Utah.
Before he was taken from his
cell Romeo fought desperately to
escape his executioners. cursing and
threatening Sheriff Keller. of Car
bon county, where he was convicted
and where Keller had arrested him.
When he was asked il he was ready.
he shouted in rage that he was not.
that he had not been given his
break fast.
When told that he was to receive
nothing to eat, such being the re-
quest of the priest. he sought 9TH
er excuses to delay the shooting.
The murder was committed Feb
ruary 8, 1911. Jenkins was return
ing home at night when he was held
up by three men, including Romeo
An Italian. George Bentley, partner
Of Jenkins in the gambling house.
Was with jenkins. The robbers OPP
.ned fire with revolvers. Both
gamblers were wounded. but Bent
ey recovered. Jenkins also was
ut in the throat with a razor John
Jorier. one OF the trio. turned
states evidence and was released.
Romeo and zany were convicted
Several bills to abolish shooting
is capital punishment have been in
reduced in the Legislature. The
legislature is composed largely of
dormons. who believe in blood
The Gentle population OF the
state has been divided on the ques-
ions OF hanging, electrocution and
he abolition OF capital punishment
II Is understood. however. that
hey are about to effect a compro-
Mise and have secured tacit con-
ent of the Legislature leaders TO
he electric chair. $3.50 ~