Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1887 — HANGED [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HANGED

Spies, Parsons, Engel, and Fischer Perish by the Rope. All Decline the Ministrations of a Clergyman, Saying They Were Prepared for Death. The Men March Quietly to Their Doom and Meet it Stoically. The Usual Formalities at the Gallows Not Observed by Sheriff Matson. Death Warrants Read to the Victims Before Their Removal to the Fatal Trap. Various Ways in Which the Four Anarchists Passed Their Last Night on Earth. The four anarchists, August Spies, Albert R. Parsons, George Engel, and Adolph Fischer, were hanged at the county jail in Chicago on Friday morning, Nov. 11. The execution occurred at 11:59 o’clock. There was an absence of many of the usual formalities on the scaffold, the Sheriff reading the death warrant to the men in the library before leading them to the gallows, where they perished miserably for their participation in the haymarket tragedy. THEIR EAST FABEWELL. Pitiful Scenes with the Families of the Anarchists—Sad Partings. Daring the afternoon of Thursday there were •ad scenes at the jail when the families of the anarchists came in to say farewell. At 5:10 Mrs. Schwab camo to the jail to bid her hnsband what she supposed would be a last farewell. She had been weeping and her face ■bowed deep suffering. Schwab was brought out into the jail office and sat silently listening to his wife, who conversed with him in low tones. Occasionally she would reach over and take him by the hand or pat him encouragingly on the Knee, but his rigid face never changed. Deputy Olson sat immediately beside them to

see that nothing was handed to Schwab by his wife FCHWAB BREAKS DOWN. After twenty minutes of affectionate farewell, Mrs. Schwab arose tc go from her busband's presence, and then only did the hueband break down. He arose as she did, and suddenly throwing both arms around her neck, kissed her again and again. The scene ws,s touching in the extreme, and the crowd of officers and reporters were alike affevted. Teartog herself away with a mighty struggle, the heart-broken woman turned to leave the jail, M At supposed, for the last time, no word

having been received at that time of the Governor’s merzy to Schwab. NO TEARS IN ENGEL’S ETES. Engel’s oldest daughter wm the next to arrive. and waa shown into Mr. Folz’* private office, where her father was sitting on the lounge. As soon as she saw him she threw both arms about his neck, and kissea hitx affectionately. Engel was very little moved bv the grief of his daughter, although his eyes showed signs of tears once or twice After remaining with -im for about fifteen minutes his daughter left him to bis fate. As she reached the jail door she was completely unnerved, and was crying Utterly, with head downcast. SIRS. SPIES IS KROKEN-HEARTFD. The visit of Spies' aged mother a little before 6 o'clock was one of the most pathetic scenes ever witnessed in the county jail. Mrs. Spies was dressed in black, and deep lines of care and suffering were plainly noticeable on her face. As she stepped into the tail library, where her son was sitting, she threw herself at his feet, looked tip pitifully inte his face, and talKed rapidly with him in German, until she became quite hysterical. She was led from her son's presence completely broken down and scarcely able to walk. Her daughter Gretchen awaited her on the outside of the building to take her away. Miss Spies did not visit her brother. Mrs. Fischer camo in io king stolid and indifferent. She hardly seemed to realize at first that she was visiting her husband for the last time, but after talking with him a few moments the tears began to gather in her eyes, and she clung to her young husband in despair. As she was about to go rischer pulled a short letter from his pocket and h.uided it to his wife. It was written in German, and he told her to have Jailer Folz read it to her. She went to Mr. Folz and asked him to tell her what was in it At the jailer's recommendation she took the letter to her husband and had him translate it to her slowly, which he did. The letter was an affectionate farewell to his wife which he had written during the day. Fischer caressed his wife more affectionolly the second time and seemed completely unnerved at the enforced parting. nina van zandt’s first kiss. When Nina Van Zandt came into the jail at 6:05, Spies was sitting with both hands on his head—a man bereft es all h-pe. For the first time in her life Nina embraced and kissed him with all the affection she could summon. Spies remained seated and Nina sat herself down in his lap. She then threw both arms about him and talked with him in low but impassioned tones. Occasionally she would stroke his forehead or run her shapely fingers through his hair, but she did not give way to her emotion. She remained with Spies- for about fifteen minutes, and kissed him perhaps a dozen times as she was about to leave. Mrs. Engel did not care to bid her husband farewell, nor did Mrs. Parsons.

THEIR APPETITES ALE RIGHT. A Hearty Supper Eaten with Relish and a Good Breakfast Ordered. At 7:30 Thursday night Sheriff Matson went in person to the four condemned mon and asked them what they wanted to eat. Spies and Fischer were in the library, Engel sat chatting pleasantly with two bailiffs in Jailer Folz's private office, while Parsons reposed in his cell, discoursing breezily through the open door to the death watch, who leaned against the sash and smoked a cigar. The prisoners all professed, with an air of forced cheerfulness, to be hungry. Spies asked for mutton chops, fried eggs, and coffee, and Fischer wanted th< » ne, “aying that for meat he preferred beestetk. Bagel and Parsens both hit upon cresiu toast and coffee. The orders were served w.tn editable promptitude from a neighboring restaurant. Spies and Fischer sat side by side upon a pile of mattresses in the library, utilizing two chairs for tables, and ate fairly well as they laughed end jested with the bailiffs. Engel ate but little of his supper, and continually stroked his chin and throat, while he cracked grim German jokes with his two watchers. Parsons went through his meal h.artily and said nothing until, finishing his repast, he brushed the dishes aside, struck a match on his flank, and leaned back to smoke and resume gossip with the solitary guardsman. When the restaurateur went around to clear away the remnants and the crockery service he took the four men’s orders for the morrow's breakfast, which was to bo their last meal on earth. Spies and Fischer united on beefsteak, eggs, and coffee. Parsons more daintily fixed preference on fried oysters and milk toast, while Engel sturdily demanded steak and coffee, with the evident view of faring better at breakfast than he did at supper. Lingg’s last meal consisted of potato salnd, chicken salad, and coffee. This he ate on Wednesday night. When the restaurateur requested his order for the morning he replied: “You needn’t bring me anything. I shan’t eat," thus evidencing that he even then contemplated his self-destruction before another mealtime.

SPIES AND DR, BOLTON. The Ex-Editor of the “Arbeiter Zeitung” Refuses the Minister's Sympathy. Not long after the death wateh had been set thu Rev. Dr. Bolt m, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, called upon the prisoners. The reverend gentleman visited the whole sou-r unfortunates, and his reception was almost the same in every ease. Spies received him quietly and with a smile. “I have called on you, Mr. Spies," said the clergyman, “to hely. you to prepare for the

. now but * few short hour* i again, but shook his head slowly. "There is nu use praying for me,” he said, k B ,y iel * uc holy tone ; “I need them not; you should reserve your prayers for those who need thei.v. • The two men then discussed matters of religion and social ecmomy, and Spies waxed warm in his defense of tne doctrines of socialism as it lobked to him. The conversation was a long and somewhat rambling one, and finally Mr. Bolton arose, hade espies adieu, and left mm. W hen he had gone the latter turned to the two deputies who ke.-t watch over him, and with a short laugh exclaimed : “Now, what can you do with i-.ien like that ? One doesn't like to insult them, aud yet one finds it hard to endure the r nulooked-for attentions . ” Spies then waxed talkative and aired his opinion freely to his death watch. Deputy John b. Hartke. Speasiug of the anarchists trial, he said that its conduct and the were without precedent in the history of this country.

"XS hy, don't you know," said ho, “that when the jury brought in the verdict they were all so bally frightened tnat they trembled, and the Judge himself, when he pronounced the sentence, shook like a leaf." This, h» said, looked bad. “11l tell you," he continued, “in five or six years from now the people will see the error of hanging us, if they do not see it sooner." M ith this Spies, who had been lying on his back with his hands avove his head, removed them and turned on his side with his face to tho wall. The anarchist editor then lay down on the bed, and with his white face upturned, talked continuously with Deputy Harcke about mutual acquaintances and things and events of days gone by. He never referred to the morrow, and seemed desirous of keeping the thoughts of his approaching execution as far as possible from his mind.

ENGEL. Protests His Innocence and Doesn’t Want Religious Sympathy. Engel grew a little more serious as the night wore on, and when he came to be more familiar with the death watch, he talked with them about the cause for which he was about to die. He protested his innocence over and over again, and told the story of the Haymarket riot, and all he knew of it. The 116 V. Mr. Bolton called on Engel as he did on the others, but with the same unsatisfactory result. The wretched Engel dwelt with bitter emphasis upon the fact that it was the informer Waller, who afterward swore his life away, that first informed him of the mr-ssacre. “I was drinking beer and playing cards with my neighbors when Waller called aud taunted me with not being down in the Haymarket fight,” said Engel, as a big lump seemed to rise in his throat, “and he afterward swore my life away, but I die for a just cause.” Engel slept none until 1 o'clock, but at that hour, just as the death watch was being removed, he turned round in his couch and dropped into a light slumber.

PARSONS AND FISCHER. Both Refuse Spiritual Comfort—Parsons Insults the Visiting Ministers. Fischer's last night was quietly spent. He talked but little, but was restless. His deathwatch said though ho did not sleep much, he appeared to take the terrible ordeal put upon him with great composure—almost indifference. He, too, coldly repulsed Dr. Bolton's proffered spiritual aid. Though his sleepless eyes stared vacantly at the wall of his cell, he talked but little. No sign of nervousness or fear could be traced on the hard, clear-cut features. He was evidently prepared to meet his fate unflinchingly and to dio boldly. When Lr. Bolton called upon Parsons he was received with the same courtesy which has always distinguished that erudite anaichist. The condemned man, however, did not seem to take kindly to the proffered ministrations of the clergyman. “You are welcome, Dr. Bolton,” he said; “pray, what can I do for you?” The reverend visitor explained his mission, and the old cynical expression stole over Parsons’face. "Preachers are all Pharisees,” he answered, “and you know what Jesus Christ’s opinion of the Pharisees was. He called them a generation of vipers, and likened them to whited sepulchers. I don’t desire to have anything to elo with either.” Dr. Bolton remonstrated a little, and finally Parsons appeared to be relenting somewhat. “Well, well,” he said, “I will say that while I do not absolutely refuse your kind attentions, I will impress on you tho fact that I aid not want you. ” A desultory conversation ensued, and the minister, on leaving, told Parsons that he would pray earnestly for him during the night. The anarchist’s hard gray eye grew moist, and he murmured, hoarsely “Thank you,” but added; “Don’t forget, though, I didn’t send for you."

THURSDAY NIGHT IN THE JAIL. How the Prisoners Rested—Parsons’ Death Song—Testing the Gallows—Preparations for the Execution. How did the condemned men pass their last night on earth—how did they sleep ? Not very well during the first part of the night. At 12 o’clock Parsons was still awake, tossing uneasily on his couch. Spies could not sleep, it appeared. He remained twisting about with wide-open eyes, and naturally his sense of hearing was acute. Certainly he must have heard the sound made by tho carpenters when they were putting up tho gallows. That could not have escaped him very well, because it was distinctly audible even in the jail office, and the door there whs closed so as to shut out all sounds that might disturb the doomed men. At midnight the stillness could not have been greater. Perfect and entire quietness prevailed. Only the hissing noise of the burning gas was beard. A few minutes before Parsons, moved to the utt'.rmost of feeling, sang “Annio Laurie ” The guaids were in his cell at the time. They coulnt er wouldn’t prevent his singing; but as his voice went up in that old song a stir was noted in tho cells on eithor side of murderers’ rov. Tho prisoners were awakened They listened, their heads propped up on their elbows to the homely but pathetic ditty, and more than a tinge of sadness characterised the plaintive voice of tho singer. He was staging his death-song. Mayhap in years ogorre he sang “Annie Laurie" to his little ones at home. It was a favorite air of his, for at all events it was the last one he would sing before lying down for his last rest. He slept well. So did Engel and Fischer. Two guards were in the cell of each man. Other guards were outside the cell; outside the corridor were other guards, more guards were in the jail yard, and still more of them were outside and all around the Criminal Court building. They aU felt pretty secure for only that afternoon. All afternoon civil engineers had examined every street and thoroughfare adjoining in a quest after explosive mines. The engine -rs finished their examination toward nightfall, and their assurance was to the effect that, despite all talk to the eont ary, there was no anarchist mine in any of the streets leading to the jail or Criminal Court building. Before midnight, and while tho anarchists were either sleeping or feigning sleep, the gallows were put up. They are the ones u-.ed in the execution of Mulkowsky and the three Italians. About 1 o’clock Friday morning they were tested, just as had been done in rue case of the Italians, and they were found to operate without any hindrance. A bag of sand weighing 180 pounds was swung off four times, once from each rope, and with no other effe t than to ctreteh the rope a trifle. The ropes were of excellent quality, and endured the test to the best advantage. Experts who were present S lid there wasn’t a doubt but that the ropes could bo depended on. At two o’clock there was absolutely nothing undone. A wagon had keen driven up to the jail some time before, and four coffins were taken out and deposited in the basement adjoining the kitchen. That was the very last preparation for ti e impending tragedy. The 0.. cials who were to perform the execution slept, the men to be executed slept. Two guards watched the slumber of each of the doomed men. Krom midnight forward till daybreak silence reigned in the jail.

FRIDAY MORNING. Bravado of Spies and Parsons—The East Breakfast—Other Incidents of the Morning. At 6 o'clock Spies’ guards came off dutv for a moment or two One of tkem, Deputy Sheriff Hartke, said Spies had slept well ever since 2

o’clock, but that before that time he wm awake, though he pretended to be Mleep Any little noise disturbed him, but the guards were warm in praise of his .nerve. When Spies turned in he was smoking a cigar. He had his boots on and did not undress. Turning to the guards, while slowly puffing at his cigar, Spies said: “Boys. 11l be just as steady to-uicrrow when this little matter comes off as I am now The police were out early. At 6 o’clock promptly 400 of them were in line in front of the Criminal Court building and ranging along on the sidewalk of the jail -n Illinois street. Small details of police wars put on duty in the -ourt - yard of the jail, more were assigned to portions in tho al lev, and others again were drawn up on Dearborn avetuj alongside the jail aud Criminal Court

building. At the same time ropes were stretched aloi g ( lark street from both sides of Michigan and Illinois street and nlong Dearborn avenue, likewise on Illinois and Michigan streets. On all these thoroughfares traffic was stopped. On none except Clark street was traffic permitted till after the execut.on.

As the morning wore slowly along the bustle in the jail increased. The deputies and reporters who were on duty all night were relieved, and new men took their places. Seven o’clock came and the twilight of dawn had brightened into tho full beam of day. At that hour the anarchists were already astir. Engel awoke with a start, and in an instant sat bolt upright. He began to talk socialism to his guard, but his haggard face revealed the struggle that was going oh inside. At 7 :23 two waiters from Martell's restaurant brought to the prisoners their breakfast. The edibles were carried in a large, new clothesbasket, and the linen and tableware looked bright and clean. A little incident occurred when Parsons stepped out to wash himself, which was described by Lieutenant Laughlin. All the other anarchists contented themselves with washing at tne tap. but when Parsons walked up to tho basin he exclaimed : “I see no wash-basin here. lam accustomed to washing in a basin, and I want one now.” His manner was extremely defiant, but though he reiterated his request for tne basin in gruff tones he did not get the desired utensil. He, by far, exhibited the most bravado of any of the anarchists. Sheriff Matson reached the jail at 7:25 o’clock. He looked haggard and depressed, and said but little to the reporters. After a glance through the interior of the jail he came out and went to his private office. He had at that time received no news from the Governor, or any other source. The Rev. Dr. Bolton arrived at 7:45, and, after depositing his satchel on a chair and hanging up his o ercoat in the jail office, passed into the cell-room. Passing first into Parsons’ cell, he attempted to engage the doomed Texan in religious conversation. Parsons had not yet finished breakfast. What passed between them is unknown. In the meantime Spies had called for paper and envelopes, and when they were furnished him, he began writing. He was interrupted by the Sheriff, who accosted him, and stood in front of the cell deor while they talked. The Sheriff took notes of the conversation and then passed on. After a stav of eighteen minutes in Parsous’ cell, Dr. Holton emerged, and walking to Spies’ door, stood looking at that individual, who glanced at the clergyman and continued his writing. Dr. Bolton remained standing in front of Spies two or three minutes, but receiving no recognition he walked away. The clergyman then passed around into the north corridor, and from the gallery overlooking the scaffold took a view of that grim structure. 'lhen he returned and paced nervously baek<ward and forward in front of the cells containing the fated four. It was now 8:30 o’clock hnd not thirty feet away from the coming victims the massive iron-barred door was clanging constantly, admitting crowds of newspaper men and Deputy Sheriffs, crowding the little room almost to suffocation and indulging in a loud buzz of conversation that coul.fbo heard plainly in the cells. Nearly everybody in the room, was smoking, and, what with the fearful feeling of depression felt by the most hardened, the place was nearly unendurable. Meanwhile the Rev. Mr. Bolton, who had walked down the line of cells and received but cold recognition from the men inside, betook himself to the northeast corner of the jail-yard, where the gallows stood. The rdverena gentleman closely scanned it from the gallery, and then returned agai.i and looked into the cells, but did not talk to the occupants while they were writing. Following the example of Spies, Parsons and Fischer called for writing material and were busy writing when Mr. Bolton returned on his second visit. Dr Gray, the Assistant County Physician, called on the prisoners about 8:30 o’clock and

a’ked them ifjthey required any stixaulants. Parsons, Spies, and Fischer refused, but Engel drank three glasses of port wine. At 8:45 Deputy sheriff Burke came eut and announced that all who had passes to witness the hanging must now f,ive them up. The request was complied with by the too-score reporters and others who were then present. Though the execution, it was understood, would not take place until after 19 o’clock, this announeemcr.it was looked upon as a pretty significant hint that the awful hour was very close at hand. At 9 :31a.m. Chief Deputy Gleason arrived with the fatal documents authorizing the execution. About 9 o'clock a bailiff came in and told the Sheriff that Mrs. Parsons desired admission to see her husband, but the Sheriff could not permit her to come in at that time. At the same time a letter was received at the jail postmarked New York, and addressed: "Breathers Spies, Idngg, und Comrades, Chica-

go Jail," and one from Madison. Wis., adare’sed to‘Tne Condemned Anarchists.” Both letters were sent to the men. At 9-4 o'clock a crowd of women dressed tn deep mourning, accompanied by two children also in black, marched down Clara s’reet to the ropes across Michigan street aud asked the officer at Michigan street to be allowed to co into the jail. The crowd included Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Engel. Mrs. Fisher, Linng’s sweetheart, Mrs. Holmes, Mrs Spies. Miss Spies, and a number of their female friends, and the children were the son and daughter of A. B. Parsous. The policeman told them his orders—that they could not advance—aud they moved on to Illinois street, where thev repeate i their demand to Capt. Hu board and Lieut. Fitzpatrick.

The same thing was told them by these officers, and all except Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Parsons moved away. Mrs. Holmes denounced the execution as a murder and the policemen as murderers. Mrs. Parsons continued to beseech and demaud admission, and the police continued obdurate. At 10 o’clock she was still on hand, but under the closest surveillance. Crowds were not allowed to stand. Throngs of curious people were being kept moving up and down Clark street and Dearborn avenue.

THE FATAL DROP. •‘Long Live Anarchy!” Shouts FischerParsons Choked Off in the Middle of a Sentence. The details of the execution were as follows ; The Sheriff headed the procession to the scaffold, witn Jailor Eolz behind him with one of the prisoners. Deputy Sheriffs Galvin, Spears, and Cleveland followed, each with a doomed man in charge. At 11:05 o'clock the representatives of tho press were conducted to the north corridor and

seated at the tables within a few feet of the gallows. The instrument of death was about twenty feet in wtdth, and extended from the rail of the first tier of cella to the wall on the opposide side. At 11:08 the men ate a final appetizing lunch, and apparently relished it. At 11:15 all the men took stimulants except Parsons. At 11:18 all four of the condemned men called for coffee and drank it. Everybody who was looking on said they bore up wonderfully. At 11:20 the jury filed in and took their places in the double row of chairs which had been reserved in front of the scaffold. 11:24—The Sheriff read the death warrant to Spies. 11:30—The Sheriff shakes hands with Spies and bids him good-by. 11:31—Spioj was strapped and the warrant read to Fischer. 11:33—They put the white shroud on Spies. He looked pale and haggard. 11:36—The warrant was read to Engel and the shroud put on Fischer.

ll :38—Spies asks to have the strap binding him loosened, and it was done. 11:40—Reading the warrant to Parsons and putting the shroud on Engel. 11:44—Parsons shuddered perceptibly at the proceedings. The others were self-possessed and calm. 11:45—The procession forms; the men walk entirely unassisted and with firm, steady steps. At the opposite cage door they bade good-by to those inside. 11:51—Tfie procession reached the gallows and the nooses and white caps were adjusted immediately. 11:55 —Spies said: “My silence is more terrible than anything I can say.’’ Fischer said: “This is the happiest moment of my life. Long live anarchy T Parsons —“Men of America, I want to speak a word to you. Mr. Sheriff, may I say a word? Down. Down. Down. The drop fell at 11 .-59.

CRIMINAL COURT BUILDING AND JALL-DEARBORN A VENUE FRONT.

SHERIFF MATSON, THE HANGMAN.

THE JALL FROPER-ILLINOIS STREET FRONT