The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-07-15
KILLED
JOL II 7
WARDEN
BY international News Service


JOLIET, ILL.,. July 1S,-One sing
ing, one praying and one cursing,
but all fearlessly - three men
dropped to their deaths from a gal
lows in the Joliet Jail yard today.
The trio was hanged at 7:15 o'clock
this morning for the killing of
Peter NJ. N. Klein, deputy warden
of Joliet Penitentiary. They were
Robert Torrez, a Mexican: Charles
Duchowski, giant in stature, and
Walter Staleski.
Jury Has Reserved Seats
More than 700 persons witnessed
the hanging. Members of the con-
Victing jury were led to reserved
seats in front of the others and an
swered to roll call as Sheriff Mark
graf read out their names.
1t was a carnival crowd The
blood lust of the Roman arenas was
prevalent as the mob fought for
vantage points to view the deaths.
But with a changing of bells, an
nouncing the advent of the three
condemned men, a silence settled
over the gathering
One Mutters His Prayer
First came the sheriff, followed
by four priests.
Two PAGES behind came Robert
Torrez, bound and strapped. With
a fixed fanatical stare, the Mexican
muttered over and over the prayer
he had committed to memory with
in the last week.
Staleski followed, his slight
beard and a continual whispering
of prayers making him appear
monk,like. AS like Torrez he
gazed straight toward the front
and appeared not to notice the
milling spectators.
Duchowski then appeared. A
smile lit up his dark face No
chant, no prayer, no speech came
from his lips. He said no word
as he mounted the fourteen steps to
the platform and stood to the left
of his companions.
At 613 the white shrouds were
adjusted. the cowls placed over the
~ASSCSS H.
A 1nuffled curse was heard be-
meath the facial covering of
Duchowski A faint hum, reminis-
cent of the wild singing months
back in the Jail which drowned out
sawed their way to freedom, came
prayer occupied Stalesky.
q .H1.nf
heavy trap fell.
Three white figures shot earth
ward coming to an abrupt halt at
the end of the ropes.
Staleski hung Imply. Torrez, or
what had been Torrez, wriggled
gFoutesquely. Duchowski kicked.
The doctors and the jury arose
and crowded closer about the near
corpses. Stethescopes were APP.
piled
They were pronounced dead and
cut down at 1925.
"All out folks, that's all
guard shouted there isn't any
morn to see. Move out now so we
can close the gate. All out. Don't
crowd the, aisles."
Never before in the history of
Illinois executions, witnesses de-
clared. has such a hanging been
seen. Never before in this State
has such levity been displayed be-
fore a gallows.
The three were the sole survivors
of band of seven men VINO escaped
from the prison after killing Klein
in a daring dash for freedom in
which Nathan Leopold, jr.. killer
of Bobby Franks, was linked as
chief plotter.
The seven gained temporary free
dom. All save one, a convict named
Price. were recaptured, tried for the
murder of Klein and sentenced to
death.
In subsequent Jail breaks. two of
the condemned desperadoes escaped
and one was killed.
Those at liberty, beside Price. are
Bernard Roa, a. Mexican, and Charles
Shader. Gregory Rizzo was the one
killed by Jail guard during an at
tempt to escape.
In final statement Staleski
named Leopold as the arch plotter.
Staleski, trembling at the thought of
him and his co-slayers, whined at the
70
without money or friends"
Leopold had arranged personally
to supervise the escape of TorreZ,
Roa and Rizzo," said Staleski. ~
went to Warden Klein and informed
him of the plot. He said: Let
them go ahead with their plans.
When the time comes I'll Illustrate
them and see that YOU get to the
honor farm - reward.
The three men were hanged on a
triple gallows.
Heavily armed guards patrolled
the grounds in the vicinity Of the
Jail to prevent any attempt on the
part of friends to free the slayers,
They were the most desperate pris-
oners ever held here. having made
continual trouble for the sheriff and
guards.