Murder of William Druse, 1894 - Part 4

The Murder of William Druse

Part 4

Hanging of Mrs. Druse

Afton Enterprise, March 4, 1887

Mrs. Druse was executed in the jail yard at Herkimer Monday morning last, at 11:48 o'clock.  During Sunday night she was hysterical, but grew more calm as the fatal hour approached, and walked to the gallows with a firm step.  The march to the scaffold began at 11:35, Sheriff Cook and Under Sheriff Rice leading the procession.  They were followed by Rev. Dr. Powell and Mrs. Druse and the physicians and deputies in order.  Mrs. Druse was dressed in a black cashmere, with lace edging on the neck and sleeves.  She wore a small shawl over her shoulders that was loaned to her by the sheriff's wife.

The day was bright, but a high sharp wind prevailed that caused the deputies and others to suffer severely in the zero temperature.  The crowd about the court house and yard was very quiet and orderly throughout.  At 11:42 Mrs. Druse and Dr. Powell knelt on the floor of the scaffold under the rope.  Mrs. Druse had her daughter's bouquet in her hand and closed her eyes while Dr. Powell offered prayer.  After prayer Mrs. druse was 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 all of her enemies to forgive her as she forgave all.

Turning to Mrs. Druse, Mr. Powell said:  "Go to thy fate, trembling child of sorrow; go to thy loving Father god, go to thy brother Jesus and to the side of thy angel child who has gone before; go bravely in the strength of hope and faith, that there will be a place for these somewhere above these dark and dismal shadows.  Go penitent and bleeding heart. They transit from earth to Heaven will be but short and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit of truth and good go with and remain with thee. grace go and remain with you evermore.  Amen."

At the conclusion of the prayer Sheriff Cook asked Mrs. Druse if she had anything to say why the judgment of law should not be carried out. She replied that she had nothing to say.  Dr. Powell then pressed Mrs. Druse's hand and left the jail yard, carrying Mary's bouquet with him.  While her arms, knees and feet with being pinned, she maintained her composure, and was firm until the black cap was put on her head and pulled down over her face.  When this was done Mrs. Druse moaned, cried and finally shrieked so loud that her voice was heard in the jail and the street adjoining.  The trap was sprung and the woman's body was lifted about three feet above the floor. There was one convulsion or muscular contraction of the body and it then hung quiet.

She was pronounced dead at 12:08 but the body was left handing until 12:14, twenty-six minutes after the weight fell.  The neck was not broken and death was caused by strangulation.  The expression on the face of the dead woman gave no indication that Mrs. Druse had suffered any pain.  The body was placed in a casket and taken to the cemetery.

Mrs. Druse's Affidavit

In compliance with the request for her daughter that she should not leave a blot on her name, Mrs. Druse signed the following affidavit with a firm hand.

I. Roxalanna Druse, in my last moments, do hereby solemnly swear and affirm that my daughter, Mary Druse, who is now confined in the Onondaga penitentiary, had nothing whatever to do with the killing of her father William Druse, or with the disposition of his body. This statement I have repeatedly made, and always adhered to it at the inquest and since my confinement.  My daughter, Mary Druse, is innocent and was in no way connected with her father's death.  Mrs. Roxalanna Druse.