New Britain herald., 1917-11-16
D|VANzO BEGS FOR
 MERCY AT HANGING Breaks Down and Cries As Rope
 Is Adjusted Around Neck DUGONE CALM FACING DEATH
First Double Hanging in State for Crime Committed in This City Until Last Minute.

Paying the toll that the state of Connecticut demands for convicted murderers, John Di VanZO and Steve Dugone forfeited their lives at the end of theV hangman's moose within the grim walls of the execution house at state prison Wethersf1eld, shortly af- ter midnight for the murder of Raf- faelc Simonelli in this city on Sep tembcr 25. The gruesome affair was not without incident. Di Vanzo, the accused, who showed indications of weakening during the days of his trial, created a mild scene after his entry into the death chamber, and his fare well to his mother and sister, with pleas for mercy were audible through out the chamber
 Di Vanzo, supported on both sides by prison attendants, entered the death chamber at 12:O6:4S with Rev. Father Francis Bonforti pastor of St. An- thony's Italian church of Hartford, and Rev. Oliver T. Magnell, the prison chaplain, accompanying him. when the heavy door of the death cage closed the murmurings of prayers coming from the lips of the con- demned man could be heard. As ne entered the death chamber, Di Vanzo looked quickly at the rope. 1t then hcramc apparent to all present that thc prisoner was fast breaking down. As Father Magnet placed the crucit1x to the lips of Di Vanzo before the black hood was adjusted, the prisoner cried for mercy and even after the black cap was over his features, he continued to cry. The trap was sprung at 12:07:l1. pr. E. G. FOX soon after applied the stethOscope and at 12:17:50, official announcement was made that the man was dead.
 Throughout this time the murmur- ings of the prayers for the dead with the response by the second victim were heard in the room. Very little time was lost by the prison officials Tn making the necessary arrangements for Dugone's execution. Friends of Di Vanzo made arrangements yester- day for the burial of the executed man in Mt Benedict's cemetery In Hartford today, and an undertaken arrived with a basket to remove the remains, a few minutes before the pal of the dead man was on his way to the gallows.
 Dugone Walks Calmly to Death.
 The same iron nerve that charac- terZed Dugone during the days that followed his arrest, was displayed last evening, the condemned man being undoubtedly one of the coolest that has ever paid the penalty in Wethers- field.
 Walking with a firm step, his head erect, and showing little concern o1 the fate that was soon to befall him Digonc entered the death chamber a md of oO5pN nariOI O II seconds, his body was swung into the air by the release of the trap Dugone showed no sign of fear ant as he was being placed in position for the adjustment of the straps a the knees and ankles, he calml. looked at the deadly moose at one sid of his head. It was not until 12:37:1 1 that Dr. Fox, officially pronounce Dugone dead. The body was place on a stretcher and between fou guards it was removed to the priso morgue, to await word from relative of the murderer as to its disposition Tn the event that no claim is made the body will in all probability b turned over to a medical school.
 The double execution, which is tn fist that has ever taken place wit in" condemned men figuring in
 New Britain crime, was successful 1 every detail.
 The last day on earth for DiVanz rnd l'usuMr was spent in q Qu1t manner. Tho men partool< Of the meals Ht the regular hours and al Nnh npNlrrnt relish. As the tim drew near for the expiaton of tf
 Wontint On Fifteenth P1gc).