The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-02-14
DOES HANGMAN GET
THRILL ON GALLONS?
CONTRACTOR WITH H Apply
FAMILY HAS SENT SEVEN
MEN TO THEIR DEATH.

NEW ORLEANS La.-What mo-
tives actuate a man to take the job
OF county hangman? Is it for the thrill
that comes with the taking of human
life without fear of penalty? Or is it
for the $50 per hanging that the state
pays to the hangman? Some curious
facts regarding this were brought out
in ali interview between the warden
of the Orleans prison, Capt. Archie
Rennyson, and the hangman.
Some OF the hangmen do the work
because OF blood lust-they want to
take human life without the danger OF
paying the penalty for murder" said
Captain Rennyson, commenting alter
ward Some ask for the job because
of love of money. believe our present
hangman is actuated partly by both"
Are there many applicants for the
job?" the warden was asked
Six asked for the job of hanging
Birbiglia and Zelenka the two boys
recently put to death for numbering a
woman. But l stuck to our regular
hangman."
Captain Rennyson had asked the
hangnan his name when the latter first
applied for the job under the Kenny
son regime. The hangman had been a
hold-over from previous adminiStra-
ton
I'D rather not give my name" an
swered the hangman. You can ask
the last warden about my work. |
hanged a fellow named Werner, who
had murdered policeman. | know |
did a good job"
Keeps Secret From Wife.
Captain Rennyson recalled that the
hangman had been highly recon-
mended and the executioner was re-
tained-probably the only job holder
to survive a change in the administra-
ton. The warden asked for no explana-
tions, but the visitor was garrulouS.
q am a building contractor on
small scale" he said, but | have to
make more money. | have a wife and
children and as nice home as the next
man. OF course, | don't let my wife
know of my work as hangman. She
would leave me and take the children.
| make a confdante of no one.
The law provides for the hanging
of men condemned for certain crimes
and these men have to be put to death.
Some one has to do the job and it
might as we'll be me. try not to think
of the Scaffold and the moose until it's
time to work. We have music and sing
ing at our house. Our children are
bright and happy as they can be. |
love their laughter and the sound OF
their little feet. Sometimes | don't
think of the hangings for weeks.
Ever since | took up the work |
have asked myself why | did it. | have
searched my soul and sounded my
heart but they tell me nothing. | am
excited for a few days before each
hanging; | am nervous almost to pros
tration when | am ready to spring the
trap-and | am depressed and upset
for few DAYS afterward. Then it all
seems like a dream and | am normal
human being"
Deputy Had Blood Lust.
The warden then told the story of
Shreveport deputy sheriff who had the
blood lust and wanted to "kil his
man" without risk or inconvenience to
himself.
This deputy paid his own way from
Shreveport to New Orleans and back
and all other expenses" he explained
cat first didn't suspect it was just a
desire to take life | was considering
the application. l allowed the deputy
to see Bailey, negro murderer, so
that he could size him up and to give
him a chance to change his mind. on
course, l didn't tell Bailey anything.
But the deputy did. You black so7in-
so, | have come all the way from
Shreveport to New Orleans just to
hang you
"The negro resented the intrusion
and Justly l think You white so-in-
so, you couldn't hang me if we were
both in the same cell and l was hand
cuffed and in a straight jacket | saw
they couldn't agree and l gave the job
to our regular hangman.'