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Warden Melick went out of office during the month of January, and was pleased that he did not have to superintend the execution. This became the duty of the new warden, Mr. Fenton. This is usually the duty of the deputy warden, but before accepting the office as deputy warden, Mr. Harmon made an agreement with Mr. Fenton not to take any part in the hanging. From all corners of the state came requests for permission to attend the execution, all of which were denied. The warden intended to obey the law that prescribes that only those needed as attendants - the coroner, six physicians, and the prisoner's spiritual adviser, are to be admitted. Printed cards were issued to these gentlemen and also to The representative for the "Lincoln Star" and two other press correspondents. It was a strange coincidence that the murderer as well as the rope with which he was hung, both came from Cincinnati. The rope cost ten dollars, has a knot tied, has been tested and is ready for business.

 
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The twentieth day of April came along. It was a beautiful spring day. From early morning and up to noon there came a stream of curiosity seekers who begged to be admitted. They were all refused, yet they lingered around the corridors until the execution was over with.

The hanghouse is located in the southwest corner of the prison. Judging from outside appearances it could be easily taken for a woodshed. When not in use it serves to store the box lumber belonging to the broom-factory. All of this had been taken out. Mr. Stryker, the state executioner, had put the gallows in order, tested the rope, installed the electric batteries, and everything was ready for business. I must explain that the trap door upon which the murderer stands is sprung by electricity; then his body shoots into the pit underneath. There are six buttons to press. Six men press these buttons upon a sign from the executioner. None of the six knows which par-


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ticular button springs the door. The hanging was set for two o'clock. The attendants began to arrive and were furnished with admission cards. With Doctor Sward came his assistant surgeon, who was to make an analysis of the murderer's blood. They all marched to the hanghouse and took their seats. Shortly afterward came the condemned man, walking steadily and erect between Warden Fenton and Reverend May. Not a word was spoken, everything was quiet. The prisoner had no statement to make and mounted the scaffold. He was dressed in a neat black suit, black tie, black hose and slippers bought that same day for the occasion. He walked upon the scaffold, the black cap was quickly adjusted, the six buttons were touched, his body swung into the pit and his soul passed into eternity, there to meet its fate. This was only a matter of three minutes. In thirteen minutes he was pronounced dead, the body turned over to the undertaking es-

 
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tablishment of Castle, Roper & Matthews, and by them shipped to Ohio for burial.

I have been in the banking business for many years but never once was I called on to cash a check executed by a dead man; but on that evening Chaplain Johnson presented to me for payment, a check drawn by Prince on the prison bank and payable to him for the balance of Prince's account. As it was small, less than ten dollars, I honored the check. The next day came another preacher, the one who accused us of peddling the choicest steaks, and put in a claim for "something left him by Prince." I told him there was nothing for him, and he departed much disappointed, reminding me of a vulture that, hovering over what was once a dead body, finds only the bones. The Rev. Doctor May, who had been the murderer's spiritual adviser, who at his own expense had made the trips to the prison to be of real service to the condemned. man, presented no check, nor did he make