The San Francisco call., 1913-11-28
Dismissed by Warden, ], H.
Arbogast Seeks Work in
Outside World

Frank H. Arbogast, official hang
man at San Quentin prison for IS
years, during which time his hand has
waved the death signal for 46 human
beings. left the penal reservation
yesterday morning to seek work in
the outside world.
/ Charged by the board of prison di-
rectors with unsatisfactory conduct
in his position of prison steward, Ar
bogast was discharged by Warden
| Johnston
Yes, I am leaving this place, with
all Its associations most Of them un-
pleasant, for good and all" he said as
he passed through the stone gate. II
| have served here as hangman for IS
years, under six wardens, and have
! omciated at As hangings."
REMEMBERS FIRST EXECUTION
| Arbogast remembered vivid1y the
setting and circumstances of his first
hanging. When commanded by the
warden to off1ciate, he thought OF
every possible excuse to OFFER. This
was under the administration OF War
den Hale, and the condemned man
was a young Mexican from San
Diego. He spent a sleep1ess night
! before the execution, during which, he
said. he believed he suffered as much
as the doomed man.
There was one hanging" he con-
tinued, over which I suffered no
compunction. That was when Stem
son and Dabner, the gaspipe thugs,
paid the penalty for their cowardly
| crimes
Arbogast's grewsome duty was full
| filled under the administrations of
| six wardens. Hale, Aguierre, Thomp-
kins. Edgar, HoyIe and Johnston 1t
was while Aguierre was warden that
Arbogast left the prison for a short
time, only to be recalled by the war
den to stand on the scaffold while
three men In one day, and but 80
minutes apart. were waved into eter-
nifty.
At the request of the warden he
remained
S25 FOR EACH HANGING
And for this duty. extra duty, I
always called IT. the former hang
man said. Il got s25. The state al
lows $50. but the rest Of 1t. believe.
| goes Tor rope and other appliances"
Arbogast laughed at the idea that
men who followed his calling last their
minds or became nervous wrecks
Il have heard hundreds Of tales OF
that import he said, but my con-
science Is as tender as that of any
man and feel no effects from my ex-
perience. don't believe the stories,
for this reason: If men are likely to
| feel the effects of this business they
quit after the first experiences; If they
go through a second one, every sue
ceeding one affects them less.
ALL MEN DIED GAME
Il have heard much about con-
demned men losing their nerve at the
| last moment" Arbogast volunteered,
but let me say this. never in my ex-
perience has 1t been necessary to
carry a man to the scaffold strapped
to board.
In nearly every event at which I
have offlciated 1t has been prophesied
by men old in prison experience that
this would be necessary. 1t never
happens"
Arbogast has lived on the prison
reservation during his term of serv-
Ice. The subject of his unpleasant
duty in the execution room has never
| been discussed between him and his
wife.
"Yes, she knows all about it. of
course" he said, in answer to Ques-
tion. but we never speak of it. I do
not know her opinion of capital pun
ishment. and as for mine. have sim
ply done my duty and left the ques-
tion of whether 1t was right or wrong
to the powers above me-.