The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-01
BY JAMES L. KILGALLEN
Copyright, 1889, By international Newt
SeFvice.)

u.N.O.( bruno fC1CklaCO 1AupI-
mann must have died thou,
sand deaths along about two
minute to eight last night.
But today this amazing crimi-
nal, who passed through the val
ley Of the shadow Of death and
stu lives to wonder about it, was
perhaps the calmest man in the
State Prison.
What an experience it must
have been!
Just picture this: Only two
minutes to go. His head Is
shaved. His right trousers leg
is slit in preparation for the
deadly electrode.
His MISUNDERSTANDING this
writer's assembled in the
warden's office. ready for the
grim parade to the death cham
Der.
The mob-the inevitable mob
is bowling for the kill outside
the prison walls.
Matter Of Seconds
It Is only q matter of seconds
now. He hears footsteps coming
down the corridor. The heavy
door to the death house swings
open.
Hauptmann's breath is coming
in gasps. This is it at last. But
he must steel himself for the
dizzy waltz down "the last mile"
But no-it's not death, it's a
new lease on life! It is not the
guards to lead him to that
strange contraption known as the
death chair" It's his little fight
ing lawyer, Lloyd Fisher, and his
spiritual adviser, the Rev. John
Matthiesen, rushing in with the
news that once m0Te he has been
saved.
Dramatic Incident
I have covered" the electro
cution Of Ruth Snyder at Sing
Sing, the hanging Of Gerald Chap
man at Hartford, Conn.,, and sim
liar stories, but never have I
witnessed anything more dramatic
than what took place last night.
Accompanied by Damon Run
yon, the famous reporter, left
the emergency news room" in
the prison "block house" at tbs
p. m. for the warden'S office.
Huge Spotlights from sound
trucks played on the front steps
Of the prison. Policemen were
everywhere.
It was slow moving up the
front steps of the prison. Re
porters ahead of us were being
searched. Photographers perched
on places Of vantage "shot" pic
lures. Finally we reached the
top.
Reporters Searched
Guards searched us. Up went
our hands over our heads while
they "frisked" us thoroughly.
They wanted to make sure no
one had a camera concealed on
his person.
We were passed on in, after
showing our invitation. Inside we
were again carefully searched. The
warden's secretary, Mrs. Frances
Ryan, had to see our credentials.
She gave each newspaper man a
press card.
Fisher, Hauptmann'S lawyer,
pushed his way through, looking
worried.
In came Robert Hicks, Wash
ington ID. c. criminologist and
private detective. He said GOV.
Harold G. Hoffman wanted him
there because Attorney General
David T. Wilentz saw to it that
Capt. j. j. Lamb and Lieut..
Buster" Keaton of the New Jer-
sey State police were going to
be witnesses. Then. too' Hicks
said there was a possibility
Hauptmann might make some
kind Of a statement in the death
chamber.
COnsoIed by Minister
BY 7:3O p. m. the warden'S Of
flee and the room adjoining were
thronged. Mrs. Ryan told us her
list showed that those to be
present would total $50 news
papermen, six doctors, three police
officials, two ministers, the clerk OF
Elliott, the executioner, Hicks, the
detective, an electrician, Deputy
Keeper George L. Selby, Warden
Mark o. Kimberling and six
guards.
At 7:48 p. m. Warden Kimber-
ling showed up. asked him what
was happening to Hauptmann.
He said Hauptmann was talking
to the Rev. D. g. Werner, receiv'
ing spiritual consolation.
He was asked:
did Hauptmann leave any
letters for his wife?"
ono"
"Have any arrangements been
made for disposition Of his
b0dy?"
"NO."
Time was moving on. Slowly, It
seemed. Very slowly.
The waiting witnesses-to-be were
constantly consulting heir
watches.
Zero Hour Passes
When the hands Of the clock
showed two minutes to eight every
body was wondering. Why
weren't we starting in there?
Eight o'clock-the zero hour
came and passed. A few minutes
after 8 a clerk emerged from Kim