Henry Schmidt

Henry Schmidt was hanged on January 13, 1888, at West Union, Iowa, in a judicial execution carried out by the state. According to The Atlanta Constitution, he made a statement on the scaffold and said he hoped to be forgiven by God and by men. The paper reported that the drop fell at half past ten and that he died in about six and three-quarter minutes without a struggle. The Iowa Plain Dealer and the Griggs Courier described it as the second execution in Iowa in about twenty years.

Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state

Reported by: state of Iowa (court); news reports.

Sources (3)

• The Atlanta Constitution, January 17, 1888, page 11 The Atlanta Constitution, January 17, 1888
• The Iowa Plain Dealer, January 19, 1888, page 1 The Iowa Plain Dealer, January 19, 1888
• Griggs Courier, January 20, 1888, page 4 Griggs Courier, January 20, 1888