Spies had scarcely uttered his last words, when Fischer shouted:
“This is the happiest moment of my life. Hoch die Anarchie!”
Engel immediately caught up the sentiment, and in a strong voice, and with a pronounced German accent, cried:
“Hurrah for Anarchy!”
Parsons then lifted his voice, and in firm, deliberate tones, exclaimed: “O men of America!”
Then, lowering his voice to an appealing accent:
“Mr. Sheriff, may I be permitted to say a few words?”
Raising his voice again, without waiting for an answer, and continuing in the same breath, he said:
“O men of America, let the voice of the people be heard.”
The last word had barely escaped his lips, when the signal was given to the unknown and hidden man in the sentry-box back of the platform, the rope controlling the trap was cut, and four bodies shot downward into space. The intervals between the adjustment of the caps, the utterances and the drop were only a few moments, but they were moments that seemed like hours. The first instant after the drop, the bodies all seemed motionless, but immediately one after the other began violent contortions, the limbs contracted, the breasts swelled with spasms, and the arms shook convulsively. It was fully eight minutes before the last was limp and lifeless. The bodies, however, were left hanging for twenty-six minutes, and then they were deposited in plain coffins, ready to be turned over to their relatives. The jury selected by the Sheriff to pass upon the death, as required by law, next viewed the remains and then signed the usual legal certificates. Those composing the jury were Dr. Ferdinand Henrotin, Dr. Denslow Lewis, Dr. G. A. Hall, Dr. Harry Brown, Dr. J. B. Andrews, Dr. M. W. Thompson, John N. Hills, William B. Keep, ex-Sheriff John Hoffman, Edwin Wynn, George Lanz, George M. Moulton, John L. Woodward and H. L. Anderson.