Part 8 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 HOURS OF THURSDAY
Sad and Sacred Conferences in the Cells of the Doomed – Services for Song and Prayer and Communion – Why Frank Was Refused the Communion.
Throughout yesterday afternoon and evening the scene in and around the Dauphin County Prison, was an exceedingly animated one. Groups of men occupied the near corners, discussing the one subject, that of the execution of the morrow. Many anxious and inquiring looks were turned toward the wall surrounding the jail yard and to
THE SMALL BARRED WINDOWS
eager to catch a glimpse of what was going on inside. All afternoon the side office was thronged with visitors. Few, however, held any conversation with the doomed men. The spiritual advisers of both Frank and Henry spent a considerable portion of the time with them, and few had any desire to break in upon these almost sacred conferences. One dreadful reminder of the near approach of the tragedy was the receiving of the rough box ‘for Henry’s body, accompanied by Undertaker Fiegle, of Lykens. This was deposited on the left hand of the corridor, where it remained throughout the night. Shortly before seven o’clock Revs. Keller and Rinek arrived, prepared to administer the Lord’s supper to Henry Rumberger. They went at once to cell 21 and were closeted with the doomed man, where a
LONG AND SOLEMN SERVICE
was held. A number of hymns were sung, passages of scripture read, and devout and earnest prayers offered, in all of which exercises Henry took a prominent part. In the hymn “There is a fountain filled with blood,” etc., as well as in one or two German hymns, it was remarked by those standing outside the cell door, that the deep base voice of Henry was heard above all others. At the conclusion of the service, Rev. Keller withdrew, but Rev. Rinek remained in earnest conversation for another half hour. When he appeared the reverend gentleman said – “Under the civil laws of the land Henry Rumberger is considered a murderer, but under the laws of God he
CANNOT BE ADJUDGED GUILTY
of the crime. He dies tomorrow a truly repentant man.”
While these services were going on in Henry’s cell, Frank, as has always been his custom, when the opportunity afforded, was entertaining a large crows of gentlemen congregated about his cell door with a detailed recital of the terrible crime committed November 14, 1880. He drew a diagram on a piece of paper showing the exact location of each one on that terrible night, concluding, as he has several times before, with the expression that he knew he was guilty of shooting Daniel Troutman. By half past eight both men had been locked in their cells and the
JAIL WAS DESERTED BY ALL
except the officials, and in the stillness and gloom Frank Rumberger’s voice was heard singing “Nearer My God to Thee.” At 9 o’clock Revs. Studebaker, Heilman and Chambers were admitted to his cell for the purpose of administering the sacrament. The services were long and earnest, the most of the time being spent in conversation, persuading the doomed man to concentrate his mind on spiritual matters. This was well nigh impossible, as he would turn to some far different subject, showing clearly that he
HAD NOT FULLY REPENTED
and was not in a fit condition, to have this holy rite administered. Over and over again he repeated the story of the tragedy, adhering strongly to the main facts as before stated. Rev. Heilman stated last night that Frank had admitted that the most of his stories about the West were fabrications, and these late admissions and his general deportment deterred the ministers from performing the work for which they came together. At midnight Revs. Studebaker and Chambers withdrew, but Rev. Heilman stayed with the man until about 1:30, when he, too, left. This gentleman has been very constant in his attention and has always take a deep interest in Frank, and last night was very
MUCH DEPRESSED IN SPIRIT.
He stated that he did not think the Lord’s Supper would be administered at all, as he and his fellow ministers were not satisfied with Frank’s spiritual frame of mind. At 1:35 the door of cell No. 25 was closed for the night, the last upon this earth for the occupant. From this hour a death-like silence prevailed and no sign of life appeared to be about the establishment save the night watchman, old John Cline.
An hour before the final streak of dawn the door opening in the rear of the jail upon Strawberry Avenue was cautiously swung back, and Keeper John Mikle and two assistants entered, bearing portions of the
TERRIBLE ENGINE OF DEATH.
These were silently carried to the jail yard, where the gallows was erected. The scene was a wild and weird one; these three figures busily at work with no other light than that afforded by a lantern and the pale new moon. Everything had been so well arranged that little or no hammering was heard, and in a little over an hour the whole structure was erected, and ready for its terrible work of the next few hours. Again all was silent for another hour, but about 5 o’clock the inmates were aroused and breakfast prepared. The fatal day had dawned, and the liveliest spirits about the place were visibly subdued and quieted.
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