New-York tribune., 1916-02-19
Schmidt Brushes Aside His
Guards to Make Speech
in Front of Chair.
LAST WORDS "HEARTY
GREETING TO MOTHER"
Life Still Remains After More
than Minute of Current
Three Shocks Given.

Hans Schmidt. the first Catholic
priest ever 10 be executed in the
United States, stolidly gave up his life
Mt Sing Sing yesterday morning as the
payment which the state exacted foi
his murder of Anna Aumuller. Three
times the current battered its way
through his stocky body before the
personality Of the man was eradicated
and the human being that was became
a lumpy, waxlike effgy. At 5:5s the
man who first seduced and then killed
his victim and mutilated her body In
Harlem fiat in September, 1913. was
pronounced officially dead.
From the limp hands Of what had
been moment before living man
Father Cashin. the prison chaplain, took
before the body was hurried away TO
the dissecting room the two emblems
of his faith-the crucifix of silver and
rosewood on which hundred criminals
have bestowed their last look in life
and fragile, white-beaded rosary
These Schmidt carried on his final
Journey from his cell; upon these his
stubby fingers tightened convulsively
as the electric charge drove through
his body. Otherwise no paid little at
tention to them or to the litany when
the priest, somber in his black cassock
and purple stole, murmured to him.
Schmidt died gamely, almost def
antly. The terror which had racked
him in the past weeks, the fancied dis
eases from which he had believed him
self to be sutfering-all were forgotten
in this last role which his distorted
mind was TO force his body TO play
He tramped stolidly\ into the white
walled death chamber with his part
clear in his mind. He interpreted 1t to
his own satisfaction before the hawk
faced little executioner blotted out
pose and courage and life.
Shuttle of Feet.
At 5:45 the witnesses deserted cof-
fee they did not taste and toast that
was hard TO swallow and followed Fred
Dorner, principal keeper. down a dark
staircase through a tunnel into the
glare of the death chamber. outside
the early winter morning was deathiy
still; within the warm, meagrely FUR
nished room more brooding qule'
filled the air.
Then from beyond the door, swung
wide in the right wall, came the shuttle
OF feet. Dorner, white haired, erect
entered. Behind him came sturdy
figure. broad Of shoulder. thick of limb
Schmidt's face was pasty above th'
white of his shirt. The thin, lustre
less hair was rumpled about his bulle
head One big hand clutched the cross
In the fingers of the other was laceC
the rosary. lie had been droning re
sponses to Father Cashin's litany wher
he left his cell. Behind their gratIngs
over which curtains had been drawn
the twenty other men who are 70 iol
low him heard their fellow start on hi:
last long journey.
Just before he stepped into the room
where he was TO die Schmidt broke OF
his mumbled prayer. Those who waite
heard strained, rather high voice cry
b ing:
"Goodby everybody. Goodby all. es
: pecially Watson"
! To the witnesses came the far-oh
chorused murmur OF response. Good
| by. goodby." II was the companion
( of the doomed man bidding him fare
well for a little while. Watson wa
I the priests particular friend IN IN
house Of the condemned. 1t Is he VIII
will be the next TO follow Schmidt
trail
As the doomed man entered the deaf
chamber he took up again the mur
INJURED litany. His repetition of tn
words Father Cashin spoke seemed me
chanical. almost indifferent. The pal
eyes glanced at the chair, and the
swept over the occupants of the tw
long benches. He paused as he reache
the centre of the room.
Greeting to Mother.
81 have a statement to make he an
nounced, in precise voice. Il ask for
giyeness"---
The keepers about the chair close,
in upon him irresolutely. as though t
smother any outbreak. The man who's
/ life space was measured BY second
| pushed them back.
Just a moment, Just moment" h
protested, almost peevishly, and the.
! let him continue.
81 beg forgiveness OF all have OF
Tended or scandalized," the queer
photographic voice continued. "And
want to forgive all who have offende
against me"
Then, without assistance. he plumpe'
himself down solidly in the chair am
leaned back. He prayed for minut
while the straps were being adjusted
As the black leather helmet was bein
fitted TO his head he started to pra.
again.
Into Thy hands. o Lord" he re
peated, jerkily, after Father Cashin
who bent over him. and then broke OIL
81 send a hearty greeting to m.
mother, especially" he cried. as thel
dropped the black mask before his face
and then In louder tone. as thougf
h. 90 I