San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-30

Soon after my first experience as chief execu-
toner l was called to Wandsworth Prison to put a
legal end to the life of named De Stanir,
soulless criminal, who had brutally murdered Cap
tain Edward K. Tghe, in effort to rob Mr.. Tighes
residence. -....
De Stamir was a brazen scoundrel and walked to
the gallows with nonchalant air. adjusted the
moose and the white cap quickly, and everything
worked up to that point with so much smoothness
that l turned straightaway toward the lever and
pushed it over. Thus had my back momentariy
turned to the doomed criminal.
heard the trap-doors bang the sides of the pit,
and knew De Stamir had paid the extreme penalty.
But was hardly prepared for the sequel, for as it
happened De Stamir did not die so instantaneously
as is usual The unfortunate man twisted and strug
gled and gurgled and strangled and to my surprise
the doctor, who had descended into the pit came up
and addressing me said:
ELLIS, cannot congratulate you on this. You
have not given him enough drop.
felt somewhat upset over the affair, for the doc
tor had spoken sharply to me in front of other Off
Gals, and that often leads to perverted stories get
ting around.
When we were drawing up De Stsmirs body
after it had been hanging the regulation hour, the
doctor remarked:
81 am sorry about what said to you before.
Ellis. have heard that De Stamr tainted Just as
you moved the lever. That would account for his
not getting enough drop to break his neck. so must
entirely eXonerate you" 80 ...'
1t appeared that it was the principal warden in
the hospital who had told the doctor that he saw De
Stamir lean if just falling into faint at the
ment when released the trapdoors, but, of course,
my back was turned to him could not say whether
this was true or not.
OF course, the public executioner never knows
how the condemned man is going to greet him or
treat him when he lays eyes for the first time the
individual who, in another few moments, will push
him into eternity. Once at least, perhaps nearly
escaped death at the hands of murderer.
This was at the execution of Leo George 0Dons
hnItI1 hn hoH0
the man whose daughter he was in love with He
was man of wicked temper, and the day before the
execution suddenly, without warning provocaton,
he seized large porcelain water jug and gripping
it tightly, brought it down with all its force the
head Of the warden who guarding him. That is,
O'Donnell meant to bring it down the warden's
head but fortunately for the keeper he caught sight
of the condemned mans action and lodged just IN
time to escape having his brains dashed out.
1t was in that murderous frame of mind that
O'Donnell faced me when looked him over prepare
tory to making my arrangements to execute him. But
his attempt to crush the skull of the offensive keeper
served as warning, and the man was kept securely
strapped that whatever vndictive feeling he may
have had toward me, or whatever purpose may have
been in his mind to kill fortunately frustrated
by his premature effort to wreak vengeance on the
warden.
Strange things happen at the last moment, and
the hangman never foresee what lies before him
page 4