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W. Seely Hopkins
Centre County's third execution took place in 1890, the convicted was W. Seely Hopkins of Philipsburg. He was a carpenter by trade and in his own town met, courted and married Miss Maggie Wigaman. His married life was one of constant quarrels and strife. He lived in the same house with his mother-in-law and her son Robert. Seely accused his wife of infidelity and the mother-in-law of being mean towards him. Hopkins it seems grew reckless and refused to contribute anything towards the family expenditures. He was arrested twice for abusing the women and a week before the murder, was arrested and released on the supposition that be would leave the town. He returned on Saturday evening, September 21, 1889, and crept into the cellar of the house and slept there until the next morning when he went up in his stocking feet and shot his wife down in the kitchen and then killed Mrs. Wigaman in her room up stairs. Both women died instantly and he rushed out on the street and tried to end his career by shooting himself in the head twice but only made a wound which caused paralysis of his left limbs. He recovered from his wounds, was tried at the next term of court and was found guilty of murder of the first degree.
The execution took place in the Centre county jail on Thursday, Feb. 20th, 1890, under Sheriff Robert Cooke. The scaffold was built by Samuel Gualt and during the time it was being erected, Hopkins became much interested in it's construction. He could hear the carpenters at work, and with the aid of a mirror he would watch the construction. He frequently spoke to the workmen, and in a peculiar manner urged them to make it "good and strong." When it was complete, the day prior to the execution he was permitted to examine the structure and, being a carpenter, carefully examined every point and said it was strong enough to hang a bull. Next he took a look at his coffin. This unnerved him and he began to tremble. He inquired of the under taker as to the process of embalming his body and seemed interested in all the details.
He had an abundance of spiritual advice, and professed that his heart had changed and claimed to be prepared to meet his doom. He slept well the last night, and in the morning ate a hearty breakfast. At ten he dined on a turkey dinner, which was furnished at his request. He said he deserved his fate, but that he committed the crime under "great excitement."
When the time for the execution arrived he marched to the scaffold without any hesitation and made a short address.
When the drop was sprung the rope broke; the limp, unconscious body fell to the ground. Hopkins was carried up again, a second noose was adjusted and the drop was again sprung with more success.
Sources:
Bellefonte Republican
Democratic Watchman
Weekly Keystone Gazette
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