Terre Haute Weekly Gazette, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 3 March 1887 — Page 1

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Mrs Roxalina Drase Executed at Noon Today. Jjt*

She Shrieks as the Black Cap is Drawn Over Her Face.

A Complete Confession Made to Her Minister.—Her Daughter's Bouquet.

HERKIMER, N. Y., Feb. 28.—After the services last evening Mrs. Druse remained up until about 11:30 p. m. Deputy Sheriff Bartley Manion with Mr. and Mrs. Waterman, the death watch, induced her to lie down, and she had about an hour's quiet sleep. She s^a«WHkened with a start and upon arising, began to write letters as calmly as she had at any time daring her incarceration. They were as follows: "HBKKIMKB, N.-Y., Feb. 28.—To SHERIFF

COOK: KIND SIR—YOU having given me even more privileges than I could have expected under the circumstances, I desire to express my sincere thanks and gratitude for your kindness and your family. For this, no doubt you will pass many a pleasant hour besides have a clear conscience that you have been kind to me when I am gone. Good bye.

MBS, ROXALLA DRUSE."

Mrs. Druse gave the following to Sheriff Cook: "HEBKCMKB, N. Y., Feb. 28.—KIND SIR:— If it is to be my aid fate to die so soon, I therefore ventpre to mako this request to you that as soon as life has gone from my body ,, that you will place it in charge of him who has been my frieud to the last, Eev. G. W.

Powell, and that he alone, as a minister of the gospel, be present at my death and officiate at my funeral, if I am permitted to -have a Ghrietiau burir.1. Please grant mo this rei„ quest in voor own handwriting.

MRS. B. DRUSE."

After writing, Mrs. Druse laid down again and fell into a doze. She was attacked With hysteria a violent form fv and it required considerable effort upon the part of the watcher^- io Spouse and nalm her. During the night sh# ate one of the heartiest meals that s^enad partaken since ehe was a prfsoa^fi -She had about two hours of rest after 4 this morning, but did not sleep soundly at any time. One of her first visitors this morning was Superintendent Irving

Terry, of the Onondaga penitentiary, who brought a farewell from her daughter Mary, who is a life prisoner, and a boquet of flowers. This visit had a most exciting effeot upon Mrs. Druse. Her death watch, Mrs, Waterman, who had maintained herself admirably throughout, was affected to tears and for some minutes all were affected in the same manner.

Rev. Dr. Powell visited Mrs. Druse about 9 A. M., and did all in his power to calm her and prepare her for the awful moment. She ate no breakfast, but partook of stimulating medioine prepared by the jail physician, Dr. Guy. Her counsel, H. Dwight Luce, made his parting visit with her about 10 o'clock this morning and this again upset her temporarily, but she soon rallied and appeared as firm and composed as any one. After the terrible blizzard of Sunday, the morning opened bright with the mercury about 10 degrees above zero.

Every xoa^ leading into the town Was dotted with ^i&i&hs, crowded with fur coated men and not a few women. Captain John Budlong and the thirty-first seperate company, National Guard, 64 muskets, came down from Mohawk at 9 a. m., and were quartered .in the court house. Details were posted about the jail to reinforce the deputies who were on duty about the exterior of the jail. The crowd in the village increased on the arrival of every train and in spite of the extreme cold men, women and children stood about the streets surrounding the jail satisfied to look at the officials as they passed in and out of the bnilding to Sheriff Cook's office in the Court House on the opposite side of the street. No one is permitted to pass the lines without displaying his badge or authority as deputies. The execution was witnessed by twenty-five persons, including the offioials.

At 11:30 o'clock the sheriff's jury was ordered into the jail yard, while Sheriff Cook, Under Sheriff Rice and the deputies and physicians proceeded to Mrs. Druse's cell. When they reached there Mrs. Druse sat weeping and holding Mary's bouquet in her hands and wearing some of het flowers about her breast. Mrs. Waterman, her death watch, stood by her side sobbing. Rev. Dr. Powell sat in front of her while her counsel, H. Dwight Luce,- Chaplain Dursfcon and the deputies and physicians stood about the door of the oell. Sheriff Cook began reading the death warrant end

respite of Governor Hill at 11:37 a. m. Mrs. Druce's pulse was 80 at 11:42. Just before the march to the gallows was commenced it raised to 90. To those who offered to assist Mrs. Druse in arising, Dr. Powell said, "She will bear herself well and does not need any assistance."

Sheriff Cook and Under-Sheriff Rice led the prooession, followed by Rev. Dr. Powell and Mrs. Druse. and the phj sicians and deputies in that order. Mrs. Druse was dressed in black cashmere with lace edging on the neok and sleeves. She wore a small shawl over her shoulders that was loaned to her by Mrs. Cook. The day was bright, bnt a high sharp wind prevailed that caused the deputies and other witnesses to suffer severely in the zero temperature. The crowd about the court house and jail was very quiet and orderly throughout.

At 11:4'2 Mrs. Druse and Dr. Powell knelt on the floor of the scaffold under the rope. Mrs. Druse held her daughter's bouquet in her hand and closed her eyes while Dr. Powell offered prayer. She was then asked if she had anything to say, when she referred to Dr. Powell, who thanked all those who had been kind to her, and implored of her enemies to forgive her as she forgave all.

Dr. Powell then pressed Mrs. Druse's hand and left the jail yard, carrying Mary's boquet with him. Deputy McKinley pinioned Mrs. Druse's arms, knees and feet. She maintained her composure and was firm until Deputy Ballon put the black cap on her head and ad usted the rope. Deputy Manion, who stood at her right, then bid heir good bye and she turned and looking into his eyes smiled and pressed his hand. Deputy Ballou adjusted the noose under and back of Mrs. Druse's left ear and pulled the cap over her face. Mrs. Dro.se moaned, cried and finally shrieked so loud that ner voice was heard in the jail and street adjoining. Sheriff Cook dropped his hand over his breast and Deputy Ballou sprung the trap. The 213 pound weight dropped at 11:48 o'clock a. m. and the woman's body was lifted about three feet above the floor of the gallows. There was but one convulsion or muscular contraction and the body then hung quiet.

Mrs. Druse's death, under the judgment of the law, was fer more easy and merciful than was that of her victim, her husband, in December, 1884. Drs Kay and Suiter took observations of the woman's pulse and heart during the time she was hanging. They pronounced her dead at 12:03 p. M., but the body was left until 12:24—26 minutes after the weigh fall, when it was broken down by order of the Sheriff. Upon examination the surgeons declared that her neck was not broken and that death was caused by strangulation.

Rev. Dr. Powell re-entered the jail yard and took possession of the rem'ainB of Mrs. Druse in compliance with her request. The casket was in coffin form with silver plated trimmings and an ornament consisting of a hand grasping a bunch of flowers on the top. The expiession on the face of the dead woman gave no indication that Mrs. Druse had suffered any pain. County Judge Smith did not enter the jail yard on account of his holding a term of court. Dr. Powell withdrew before the final act, and but twenty persons, by actual Count, were witnesses of the execution, Undertaker Honell placed the remains in the coffin and closed it, and a hearse and two sleighs were driven into the jail yard.

At 12:28 p. m. the modest funeral cortege through the crowd about the jail. There were no demonstrations on the part of the spectators. At Oak Hill cemetery about a mile west of the village the-coffin was placed in an outer cpe. Before depositing it in the compartment of the vault, Dr. Powell made a few remarks saying that this woman had left this sorrowful world to meet a merciful God. He said that her devotion to her daughter was phenomenal an® also her self-possession was remarkable. In his commital prayer, he asked that the day might dawn when these separated from this mother might be reunited with her.

The coffin was then placed in compartment No. 15, where it will rest until the final disposition of the remains has been decided upon. Sheriff Cook gave Dr. Powell permission tw call upon as many deputies as he desired for temporary guard purposes. When the remains were removed from the jail yard the people surrounding the jail were permitted to see the gallows. A number of women were in the crowd, but these the guard excluded.

In the compliaBCe with the request of her daughter, Mrs. Druse before the hanging caused to be drawn up a statement affirming that her daughter, now in prison for life, had nothing whatever to do with the murder.

MRS. DRUSE'S CONFESSION. Her Dyine: Statement to Rev. Powell, the Attending Minister.

ROME, N. Y., Feb. 28.—The Sentinel

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has a special from Hemitner, N. Y., about the confession of Mrs. Druse to Rev. Powell. At 9 o'clock yesterday morning Dr. Powell received a message from the jail requesting his presence at once, as Mrs. Druse wished to see him on a matter of great importance. He immediately repaired to the oell of the doomed woman, who greeted him very warmly. The attendant was requested to leave them in seclosion, bat refused to* do so. Sheriff Cook was appealed to and upon the earnest solicitation of Dr Powell he was allowed to listen to what Mrs. Druse had to say uninterrupted When allowed, the latter said: "Mr. Powell, I. have sent for you to make a confession will yau listen?" "Yes, certainly," replied the doctor and he at once produced a pencil and paper. "What I am about to say to you has never been made public before and I assure you on the honor of a woman standing on the brink of the grave that I am speaking the truth. The world has turned against me,but I know I have one friend left and that is you. Now you mast promise that you will not say a word of this until I am gone. Then you can publish it and let this crue. world know the truth of the matter. II don't want to take any more of your time than I can help, so I will begin at once. I must take you back before the murder and tell of a conversation had with JM* gfc&rles Gates in reference to the kd4ing.6f Druse. It was about Dec. 1st on it Wednesday night. Druse was away, as he usually was, a big part of the time. Gates came in and asked ine if I was alone. Gfeo&le and Frank were out riding down' the hilL Mary was up stairs. Gates then asked- m6 if I did not want to get rid of Drase. I told him I was nearly dead now and did ont care what happened. He asked me if I had the pistol he gave me yet. It was in the pantry ai)d I told him Bo. "I went and got it," continued Mrs. Druse, "and showed it to him. He saw it was not loaded in all the barrels, (meaning the cylinder chambers) and be put in some more cartridges and gave it back to me. He wanted to know if I could fire it and I went, to the door and snapped it. It did aot go of^, for the cartridge was no good. I1 pttt in another and said,'Well yoti know how to do it and that is enough.' He then paid,'Now if anything happens y5u can depend upon me to help yoh.'

With that he went away. He came again on Dec. 17th, the night before the murder, and told me to hurry up and to take the first chance I got. He said I should bur a the nead because it would leave traces. He would take care of that. He said he Would get the buckwheat at the same time and save any cause of suspicion. "The next morning I saw him coming up the road just as Druse sat down to breakfast. This was just after he raised the axe to strike me and I ran in the buttery. 1 got the pistol and came out. He was sitting down at the table. He swore awfully about the tea and sugar and I raised the pistol and shot. I hit him in the neck and only stunned him. Gates then shot through the window and he fell to the floor. Gates then shot again. I only shot once. Gates Bhot three or four times. I took the axe and cut his head off and chopped him up. The head was wrapped in paper and carried out to the wood shed. It was put in a lot of buokwheat. The body was all burned up and none was given to the pigs. That is not true about feeding it to the hogs. It was boiled and then burned. Gates came that night audi told him what had happened. He grasped my hand and said I did nobly. He said he would come for the buckwheat tomorrow, which he did. "He took Druse's head with him. It was buried one mile west from 'Richfield's Springs, wheFe I could find it if I choose. It could never be found, for the secret lies with Gates and I alone. Charles Pett overheard us talking about it once, but he is dead now and can't talk. Gates is the only one who knows anything about it. There was another man with Gates when he got the buckwheat and it was El wood. His name was Bill. It took eight hours to burn the body and it made an awful smell. I nearly fainted several times. George and Frank Gates were there some of the time. They did not see much though. I sent them down to the wood lot and had them carry shingles. I killed Druse because I could not stand it any longer. He was a brute and I had not slept with him in twelve years. That is all I can tell. Gates put up Frank to tell what he did tell to shove it all onto me, but he will get his reward some time. "Now you must not tell anyone of this until I am gone and not let it get in any paper until after 12 o'clock tomorrow. I don't care how many know it then. I trust to you it is all right. You can say, too, that on my dying day I am more innocent of the crime than those who put me up to it I freely forgive them all—all who so cruelly deserted me. There are some names on that petition sent from Warren which I could cover with shame, but I die in peace with everyone."

After she had finished Dr. Powell, out of observance of the holy day, offered a short prayer and then took his leave. He desired the above published as soon after the hanging as possible, but no! before.

YESTERDAY AT HERKIMER.

In 6very pulpit in Herkimer yesterday allusion was made to the case of Mrs.

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ESTABLISHED 1869. TERRE HAUTE, IND., THURSDAY, MARCH 3,1887.-TWO PARTS,-PART FIRST. $1.50 PER YEAR

"Prase, and the hope was generally expressed that the proceeding would be averted. Mrs. Druse passed most of the day in tears. She contended that she is in reality innocent of the murder of her htiBband. Telegrams were sent from bete by scores yesterday requesting the Governor to commute her sentence Cyrus N. Balleu and William MoEinley of Fondat, who have done like work be fore, will adjust the rope and cap springing the trap and out the body down. Mrs. Druse Saturday made- her will, bequeathing her body to her clergyman, Rev. Mr. Powell, and her cabinet organ to her daughter Mary, wfcoia iu the Onondaga Penitentiary eerVfetg out a life sentence for her particif&tfon in her father's death. Her son George had a parting interview with h^r Saturday, and she was much affected. Last night a servioe was held in her4)ell by Rev. Mr. Powell. Tbirteen pfersons have been hanged upon the gftllo^B to be used, one of them being nafe notorious Sam fUteenberge, in Montgomery county.

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It transpires that Governor Hill appointed a medical commission about two weqks ago. Its report is just made p^.blie,find it to the effect that Mrs. Druse iffia sane at the time she committed tfce Murder and is still saue. It waa&Qi the strength of this report that the tremor informed Mrs. Druse's sp^ri|§iftl adviser that he would not interfeipwith the execution of the law.

Mag# X)ruse spent most of the time Sattirtf&y in her oell at Onondaga Penitentiary writing a farewell letter to her mnthef. It contains little except endearing terms and the often repeated hope that they may meet in Heaven- A large bouquet will accompany the letter as Mary's last gift to her mother. The girl ^as passed several sleepless nights, frequently gives way to her emotions and enN little. The organ sent by Mrs. Drase to ner daughter arrived at the Penitentiary last night. $ 5

Matthew's Successor,

tj WABHiSGTON, March 1.—The president yesterday sent to the senate the name of James N. Trotter, to be recorder o( deeds in the Pistrict of Columbia, in plaoe of James C. Matthews, who was twice injected.

Jamais Monroe Trotter is a colored citizen of the state of Massachusetts, 48 years opige^ For the pa6t thirty-five years he has resided in Massachusetts, where prior to the war he was a teach.

.rebellion he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts regiment of colored troops, and was promoted for acts of bravery on the battle-field until he became a lieutenant. Upon his return to civil life he was appointed and filled' for eighteen years a position of assistant of the registered letter department in the Boston postoffice. From the position he was retired 1884, on account, it is said, of his interference in politics, and his avowed purpose of supporting President Cleveland. During the campaign of 1884 he was appointed one of the secretaries of the "Committee of One Hundred," of Boston, and was active in support of the nominees of the Democratic party.

Suit Brought.

sentatives, in company with the Hon. L. T. Michener, attorney general of the state, reached the prison south, at Jeffersonville, Sunday, and continued the investigation with closed doors. Yesterday afternoon the attorney general stated that he had filed a suit in the circuit court at Jeffersonville against exWarden Jack Howard, ex-Deputy Warden John Craig, and Bookkeeper Matt Huette. Howard is sued personally for $200,000, and bis bondsmen for $30,000, this being the amount of bond. Craig is sued for $50,000 personally, and his bond for $10,000. Huetle personally for $50,000, and $10,000 on his bond. These are civil suits.

CAMDEN'S SUCCESSOR.

0. B. Lucas To Be Appointed By the Governor. CHARLESTOV, W. Va., Feb. 28.—Governor Wilson has tendered tho United States Senatorship to D. B. Lucas, of Jefferson county, who was one of the twelve democratic "kickers" in the recent senatorial contest on Senator Camden. Mr. Lucas has accepted and will receive his credentials shortly after the 4th of March next.

New Opera.

VIENNA, Feb. 28.—Suppe's new comic opera "Bellman" has been produced here. It made a great hit. The music is above the ordinary level. The Censor insisted upon the exclusion of many sarcastic allusions to Russia which were in the libretto.

Another Veto.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28.—The Presi-

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But Four Were Fatally Injured and Three Seriously.

Result of a Dispute in Kansas Over the location ot a County Seat.

ST. LOUIS, March 1—A special from Garden City, Kan., says: "Word has just been received here of a serious shooting affray at Coronado, Wichita oounty, Sunday night, in which two men lost their lives, four were fatally shot, and thiee were seriously injured. The killed and fatally injured are from Leoti, and the others from Coronado. The trouble occurred over the location of the county seat, both towns being candidates for the honor. Some time ago the governor sent a commission there to take an expression of the people an to the location of the temporary oounty seat, and as the result of that canvacs Leoti was designated. An election for officers and permanent county seat was called for the sixth of this month, but in the meantime the legislature passed a law postponing the county seat elections until a registration was had. Leoti voted for county officers and a county seat, both on the ground that the recent law is unconstitutional. Coronado failed to vote on the county seat question, and was defeated on the county eleotion. Since then e&eh side has charged the other with gross frauds and a good deal of bad feeling was developed.

Sunday night a crowd of men from Leoti went to Coronado and during a dispute over the elections Charles Colter, from Leoti struck Frank Lilley, of Coronado, over the head with a revolver, Ezra Loomis tried to stop the quarrel and received a bullet from Colter's revolver in the leg for his pains. The shooting then became general and re sultft'l as follows:

Wm. Pains, a druggist, and Charles Colter, both of Leoti, were instantly killed.

Emmet Diming, a livery man, Frank Jeness, .ajjoh of the. ^mayeny Johnson and Albert Bovey, manager of the Chicago Lumber Company, all from Leoti, were fatally wounded.

Frank Lilley. real estate agent, Chas. Loomis. and Ezra Loomis, all from Coronado, were slightly wounded.

The scene of the fight is several miles from railroad and telegraphic communication and all the details of the affair are not yet known.

Suicide f-or Love.

JEFFERSONVILIIE, Ind., March 1. Miss Annie Barker, aged 21, and daughter of a prominent physician of this city, died this morning from the effects of a dose of rat poison, taken Sunday night. Cause, disappointment in love. Upon St. Valentino's day she was to be wedded to Adam Bauer, but the riage was prevented by the father of the young man, who objected on account of his son being only 19 years of age. Adam promised to call apon his sweet-

LOUISVILLE, Feb. 29.—Messrs. L. W Sinclair, chairman, James B. Patton and J. D. Alexander, of the prison com-,. «. ... heart Sunday night, but failed to make mittee of the Indiana house of repre- sweetheart Sunday night, but failed

to make'his appearance, and this is supposed to have made her desperate, with the above result.

THE EXTRA STSSION.

Each House of the Opinion That It'* the Other's Fault. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28—War is brew ing between the two houses of Congress, Members of the Senate Committee Appropriations, who are usually very guarded in their utterances, maKe no concealment of their opinion that an extra session is now almost inevitable, nor do they hesitate to place the blame where they think it belongs. After two or three conferences on the sundry civil bill last week, which were almost nullified by the early withdrawal of the house conferees, a meeting was secured at 10 o'clock yesterday morning which was intended to last through the day and last through the night, as well, if necessary to complete the bill and clear the desks for the remaining appropriation bills.

Gen. Butler.

NEW YORK, Feb. 28.—A Boston, Mass., special says: Gen. B. F. Butler's injuries are much more 6erious than at first supposed. His doctor said, last

Married. night, that the General's shoulder was'

Miss Edith Kearney, formerly of this I badly 'dislocated, and that under the city, was married last Tuesday' evening! aroumstanoee his patient would not leave his bed for three weeks conduct-or on come. The dislocation was accomthe B. & O. railroad, and will m-ike pa^ied by a rupture of the ligament their future home in Newark, Ohio.

caused by throwing the shoulder bone forward. General Butler's accident will seriously interfere with bis professional engagement and among other things will cause a postponement of the somewhat famous boycott case, which was down for trial at Plymouth the coming week.

Indianapolis Police Changes. Yesterday Sergeant Travis (Republican) was again made Superintendent of Police of Indianapolis and Superintentendent Colbert was put back in the

dent has vetoed the bill which provided position of Captain. Captain Qaigley for a public building at Lafayette, Ind was made Sergeant again.

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HE WOULD"NOT TALK, r"

Ex-Secretarv Thompson Declines to be Interviewed Because Ae is Out of Politics.

Pittsburg Chronicle: He was enroute from Terre Haute, Ind., to New York. The ex-Secretary is a gray-haired, aus-tere-looking gentleman, over seventy years of age. His face is beardless, and there is an expression about the lips that bears a resemblance to that of the late Samuel J. Tilden.

Col. "Dick" Thompson,as he is iarly spoken of, is a man who takes* pride in that he has never allowed him»~ self to be interviewed. So guarded is he in his speech when traveling that he will not even express his views on public questions to a casual acquaintance whom he may perchance meet on the train.

He Wfis as firm this mQrh'ing^asln the past when he was a member of the Cabinet As be was walking along the platform at the Union Station, he said, when accosted: v— "Yes, I was Secretary of the Navy. But I prefer not to be interviewed. In fact, I was never interviewed in my life." "But your opinion now as Secretary of the Navy would be specially interesting in regard to coast defenses." "I would rather not have my opinions quoted. If I gave my ideas on coast defenses, it would likely be construed that 1 was talking for political effect." "But you are not in politics now." "No, I am not. I am living very quietly at my home in Terre Haute." "You are now identified with the De Lesseps Panama canal enterprise?"

"Yes, I am president of the American committee." The ex-Secretary had got as far as the platform of the Pullman car when he made the last remark. He quickly ascended the steps, and the next moment hurried into the car, casting one hurried glance around 13 note whether or not he was being pursued by the reporter.

A gentleman who is well acquainted with the ex-Secretary, who was also awaiting for the train to start, said: "Well, I didn't think you would get even that much out of him. Colonel Dick is a line old gentlemon, but he will not be interviewed."

March April May

Are the months in which to purify the blood, as the system is now most susceptible to benefit from medicine. Hence now is the time to take Hood's Sarsaparills, a medicine peculiarly adapted for the purpose,possessing peculiar curative powers. It expels every impurity from the blood, and also gives it vitality and richness. It creates an appetite, tones the digestion, invigorates the liver, and gives new life and energy to every function of the body The testimony of thousands, as to the great benefit derived from Hood's Sarsaparilla, should convince everybody that it is peculiarly the best blood purifier and spring medicine.

SENATOR""TURPIE.

The Program of the Republicans. WASHINGTON, March 1—The action of the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections this morning in reporting* back the credentials of David lurpie is said to have no significance, but was taken in accordance with a continuous line of precedents. It is understood that when Mr. Turpie at the next session presents himself to be sworn in a protest will be entered |and that the contest will be then begun. Notice has been received from Indianapolis that additional papers in the case are to be submitted.

Col. Lamont'said today that a successor to Secretary Manning will not be nominated before Thursday at the §arliest.

AIIVIN SOCLES' team of horses ran away Saturday while in front of Wm. Gleeson's grocery and partially demolished the wagon.

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