Band at the execution

[Linda Anderson]

If Hartranft had "waved a sword", he'd have killed half dozen folk on that scaffold! They were apparently packed like sardines up there if you look at the photos. It's a good thing that the scaffold was sturdy. I've often wondered what would have happened if the gallows flooring had collapsed under the weight! No OSHA standards back then.....

I've always heard that Rath clapped his hands -

I read deWitt's book years upon years ago, and never paid much attention to what he said about the execution's "background" - foolish me! I'll have to check it again -

Thanks, Linda! Good work!

I better reread this thread again. I was thinking Hartranft was on the ground. Maybe DeWitt meant Rath waved his sword...