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Story
June 2, 1876
St. Johnsbury Caledonian
Saint Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vermont
What is this article about?
Thomas W. Piper was hanged in Boston for murdering Mabel H. Young. He remained calm, participated in religious exercises, and died instantly from a broken neck after an eight-foot drop. He confessed additional crimes beforehand. Body buried in Mount Hope cemetery.
Clipping
OCR Quality
92%
Excellent
Full Text
Piper Hung.
The execution of Thomas W. Piper of Boston, for the murder of Mabel H. Young, took place on Friday. It was remarked by those who had seen several hangings that the victim died much more easily than in any other case that they had ever known. Piper exhibited the utmost calmness to the last moment. He spent Thursday evening till midnight in devotional exercises, but slept from that hour to 4 o'clock. Having eaten a substantial breakfast, he engaged in the religious exercises that preceded the execution, which Rev. Dr. Eddy conducted, and there was nothing to indicate the intensity of his feeling except a deathly paleness, save when an allusion was made to his family in one of the prayers, which brought tears from his eyes. He seemed to die instantly as the rope grew taut, of a fall of eight feet, and the neck was found to be broken. A big crowd gathered about the jail, but they could neither see nor hear anything of what was going on. Among the witnesses of the execution was Lieut. Gov. Knight. The body was given to Piper's friends, and privately buried in Mount Hope cemetery. Piper is said to have finished, on Thursday, a written statement in which he confessed various crimes not down in his recent confession.
The execution of Thomas W. Piper of Boston, for the murder of Mabel H. Young, took place on Friday. It was remarked by those who had seen several hangings that the victim died much more easily than in any other case that they had ever known. Piper exhibited the utmost calmness to the last moment. He spent Thursday evening till midnight in devotional exercises, but slept from that hour to 4 o'clock. Having eaten a substantial breakfast, he engaged in the religious exercises that preceded the execution, which Rev. Dr. Eddy conducted, and there was nothing to indicate the intensity of his feeling except a deathly paleness, save when an allusion was made to his family in one of the prayers, which brought tears from his eyes. He seemed to die instantly as the rope grew taut, of a fall of eight feet, and the neck was found to be broken. A big crowd gathered about the jail, but they could neither see nor hear anything of what was going on. Among the witnesses of the execution was Lieut. Gov. Knight. The body was given to Piper's friends, and privately buried in Mount Hope cemetery. Piper is said to have finished, on Thursday, a written statement in which he confessed various crimes not down in his recent confession.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Execution
Hanging
Murder
Confession
Thomas Piper
Mabel Young
What entities or persons were involved?
Thomas W. Piper
Mabel H. Young
Rev. Dr. Eddy
Lieut. Gov. Knight
Where did it happen?
Boston
Story Details
Key Persons
Thomas W. Piper
Mabel H. Young
Rev. Dr. Eddy
Lieut. Gov. Knight
Location
Boston
Event Date
Friday
Story Details
Thomas W. Piper was executed by hanging for murdering Mabel H. Young, dying calmly and instantly from a broken neck. He engaged in devotional exercises, showed emotion only at mention of family, and confessed additional crimes in a written statement.