Scene at an Execution.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 46, 26 January 1885, Page 4

Scene at an Execution.

A ghastly scene occurred last month within the prison at Stein, Austria. A convict named Ferdinand Baumgarlner, who several months ago murdered a prison warder, was to be hanged for the crime m the court-yard of the prison, The spuctjitors who had assembled to witness the execution included about seventy persons, m addition to a company of infantry specially detailed to preserve order. The convict, who was brought from his cell at seven o'clock, turned a savage glare on the assembled persons as he walked past, with a firm tread to the gallows. Arrived there, the executioner's assistants approached for the purpose of binding his arms. Muttering an imprecation, he dashed the first assistant down and began fighting with the second and third. The struggle between the convict, who raved like a wild beast, and the executioner's men went on for sevaral minutes before the soldiers were ordered to intervene; They soon overpowered Baumgartner, and the executioner now threw the rope round his neck. Another terrible struggle then ensued. Baumgartner, who caught the robe with his teeth kept his mouth shut, and held the rope with such force that the assistants were unable for some time to wrench it from him. Even after they had first secured the rope the convict seized it again with his bound hands, and uttering loud oaths, defied them to carry out the sentence. At length, however, the executioner succeeded m forcing an irregular noose on the man's neck. For several minutes the struggle was resumed, and it was only by the hangman using his hands and dragging the convict down that he succeeded m carrying the law into effect, Baumgartner resisted to the last moment. During the night the convict* who had refused to see the priest, had remained very quiet. He was a powerful young fellow, and had killed his first gaoler with a hatchet.