Executed
H. Erb
H. Erb, a German man, was hanged in the city jail in St. Louis on the morning of December 30, 1881, with nearly three hundred people present. According to the Savannah Morning News, he slept soundly until shortly before half past four, ate a light breakfast, and spent much of the time before the execution in prayer. The paper reported that he was dead about five minutes after the hanging.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state
Reported by: news reports.