Part 6 of 9. On 14 November 1880, Daniel Troutman, a farmer living in Pillow, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, was killed at his home during an attempted robbery. Two men, Frank Rumberger and Henry Rumberger were arrested and charged with the crime. They were tried in Dauphin County Court, found guilty, and executed, in March 1882.
In its edition of 24 March 1882, in conjunction with the hanging, the Harrisburg Daily Independent published a summary of the crime and the trials. Here following is the text of that article, in nine parts.
For all other parts of this story, see: The Murder of Daniel Troutman, 1880.
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LAST ACT
In the Troutman Tragedy
OVER THE DARK RIVER.
Frank and Henry Rumberger Pay Murders’ Penalty.
EARTH TO ETERNITY.
How they Passed the Night and Fleeting Hours.
A JOURNEY TOGETHER.
Through the Corridors of Cells and Out Into the Jail Yard to the Gallows.
SCENES ABOVE THE DROP
The Last Ministry of Men and Then the Law’s Demands Obeyed.
CLOSED FROM SIGHT.
Into the Wrapping and Draperies of Death – Full Details of the Double Step Into the Unknown
At 10:25 the sheriff and Keeper Duey notified Henry to get ready. They then conveyed the dreadful summons to Frank.
Shortly after Henry emerged from his cell with Rev. Keller on his left and Rev. Rinck on his right.
Frank then came from his cell with Rev. Studebaker on his right and Revs. Keller and Chambers, on his left. Frank in accordance with his previous intention kept his eyes closed through the corridor and afterward. The march to the gallows began, the prison inspectors and reporters in rear. Rev. Chambers did not follow to the scaffold.
Ascending scaffold Frank was placed on the right with Henry on the left Rev. Keller bade Frank and then Henry goodbye and said “God bless you.” Rev. Hellman said to Frank “take comfort and trust in God.” During all this trying time Frank continued with his eyes closed. Rev. Rinck then uttered a short prayer that was audible to those on the ground.
SPRINGING THE TRAP.
The Lord’s prayer was then started by the ministers who were joined by both Frank and Henry. The latter appeared the more earnest and loudest. Frank then said, “Into thy hands, oh, Lord, I commit my soul.” Revs. Heilman and Rinck then withdrew, leaving Sheriff Sheesley on the scaffold, who was joined by Officers Roat, Cilley and assistant. While Officer Roat secured Frank’s limbs and arms with straps the noose was placed over his head by one of the other officers. Henry was then pinioned and the noose slipped over his head by Sheriff Sheesley. The white caps were placed over their heads, the officers withdrew, when the supports to the trap were removed. While these preparations were being made the men were silently praying, scarcely able to stand. Their bodies quivered owing to the tremendous mental suspense. The ministers started the hymn “Jesus lover of my soul,” which the men joined in heartily.
The arrangements were perfect as no on not even the men were prepared for the fatal moment. Every one had left the platform and the middle of the second verse of the hymn had been reached when the trap was
SPRUNG AT EXACTLY 10:31.
Not a movement was visible in either of the men for about one minute, when the drawing up of the tightly bound bodies, showed clearly that both men were suffering all the terrors of death by strangulation. After being suspended about thirteen minutes they were both pronounced dead, and in seven minutes more were cut down and the body of Frank placed in the coffin prepared by Undertaker Boyd, while the corpse of Henry was packed in the rough box preparatory to taking to Lykens in the 2:25 train.
The horrible legal lasso was over and a look of relief was visible on the countenances of all around the institution. The mob congregated in the jail yard were loath to leave and stood gazing
AT THE DANGLING ROPES
For some time. The slowly they left the scene only to linger in the corridor to look at the receptacles which held the bodies of the men, and talk over the last incidents. Their infatuation of scenes like this is something wonderful. And every detail was conned again and again by these in attendance.
A Crowd With Tickets
By 10 o’clock the corridor and yard were filled with people. Who they received cards of admission from appears to be a mystery. The sheriff and deputy sheriff take no responsibility on themselves for the crowd. They state that the inspectors and commissions gave a great many passes. The execution will partake more of a public nature than private as had been intended. Many of the county officials and ex-officials were present. Many expect to be able to give the condemned men farewell, but the guards at the stairs in the front part of the corridor, barred the progress of the inquisitive and the disappointed. No one was allowed to go near the cells. The services echoed throughout the jail while the men and ministers were singing or praying. A crowd was constantly gazing at the dangling loops and at Frank’s coffin.
THE PRESS ON HAND
The press is well represented by reporters from various cities and locally, “Rody” is doing up nearly a dozen papers. The present execution makes 28 that he has witnessed.
Sheriff Gerhart, of Berks County; Sheriff High, of Lancaster; Sheriff Deninger, of Lebanon; Sheriff Bell, of Altoona, are also present.
IN FROM THE COUNTRY.
The crowd in the jail yard was almost impassable, and it was noticeable that the majority were from the rural districts. Standing, sitting, pushing, this mass of humanity crowded around the gallows reciting incidents of other hanging scenes they had witnessed, and speculating on the approaching execution. The crowd were kept back by a rope surrounding the gallows with a policeman on each corner to keep them from tearing it down and passing right under the structure.
NO NEARNESS TO AGREEMENT.
After Rev. Heilman left Frank early this morning he stated the men were as far apart as ever in their statements and that he considered Frank utterly truthless. A diversity of opinion exists among the persons present, Many contend that Henry fired the shot and has not confessed because he considers himself innocent, inasmuch as he did not shed the man’s blood. The prevailing opinion is that Frank did the shooting and that Henry is telling the truth. No confession is expected on the gallows, and one or the other will die with a lie on his lips.
Dr. Egle, the prison physician is present, although he has not fully recovered from his recent illness. He is compelled to be present to pronounce the men dead as he cannot appoint a proxy. He says the recent illness of Frank had a great deal of sham about it.
About ten minutes before ten o’clock, Frank requested his attending ministers Revs. Heilman, Studebaker, Dasher and Chambers to withdraw. He desired to be alone for a few minutes. What he desired no one knew. After a lapse of about ten minutes he rapped on the door, when they re-entered. Henry is attended by Revs. Rinek and Keller.
THE JURY
The following gentlemen were selected by the sheriff as his jury to witness the execution: Jacob Umholtz; Humphrey Mayors; William Midlam; Allen Swab; William Zimmerman; J. Clements; Joseph B. Rife; William Kline; H. P. Morley; William Look; J. N. Fry.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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