Executioner's hood, or cap, of "black Albert twill serge", was made by John C. Dinan and mentioned twice in the June 29 New Era article "MURDERERS PAY PENALTY." It was worn by Lee Furman, convicted murderer, for his hanging on June 29, 1905.
Hood is form-fitted to a round head shape, with a protrusion at the middle of side (for nose?). Hood narrows at the neck and flares strongly out to shoulders and extends to mid-chest in length. Vertical flap extends from bottom to perhaps jaw line, where there is a small, circular opening, likely to accomodate the rope. Flap is secured by 3 cloth-covered buttons. Expertly sewn, likely by a local seamstress or tailor.
Also included with gift is a postal card postmarked Sept. 9, 1905 from H.S. Eckels & Co. in Philadelphia to Mr. J. Fred. Fisher at 128 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA. message is handwritten in black ink: "Hood use(d) on Lee Furman Hung Thursday June 29, 1905 for the killing of Samuel Ressler "Toll gate Keeper" July 1, 1904." See NOTES on Fisher.
Provenance
Hood was purchased by Mayor Smithgall for $100 from a woman whose father reportedly had acquired it from the mortician. Postal card is unexplained (J. Frederick Fisher was a clerk for the P.R.R. and boarded at 504 N. Queen St. according to the 1890 Directory.
Photograph- Drawing of Lancaster City showing North American Hotel, office of the Pioneer Line, Conestoga wagon, train, and old courthouse in the distance.
Photograph- Drawing of Lancaster City showing North American Hotel, office of the Pioneer Line, Conestoga wagon, train, and old courthouse in the distance.
Description
Drawing of Lancaster City showing North American Hotel, office of the Pioneer Line, Conestoga wagon, train, and old courthouse in the distance. 1 print only
Plan for South East Ward also showing 1 drawing each of Odd Fellows Hall, Residence of Mrs. S. A. Porter, H. Leamans Rifle Works, Residence of Clement B. Grubb, German Reformed Church, Residence of Emanuel C. Reigard, Esq., and Residence of E. C. Darlington, Esq.. Locations of buildings are noted. 1 print only
Plan for South East Ward, also showing 1 drawing each of St. James Free Episcopal Church, Western Hotel, Rockland Cotton Mill, Red Lion Hotel, Residence of James Black, Esq., Lancaster County Prison, Ephrata Mountain Springs--locations of buildings are noted. 1 print only
Plan of North West Ward also showing 1 drawing each of Cross Keys Hotel, Residence of A. W. Russel, Reese's City Hotel, McConomy Store, Lancaster Coach Factory, Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, H. Logman's (?) Rifle Works, Residence of Emanuel C. Reigard, Esq., and 1 unidentified building. Locations of buildings are noted. 1 print only
Plan of the North East Ward, also showing 1 drawing each of Fulton Hall, Lancaster Mercantile College, Residence of George K. Reid, Esq., Lancaster County Court House, Eagle Hotel, Ephrata Mountain Springs, Lancaster County Prison, and Residence of James Black, Esq. All buildings note locations and some have additional information. 1 print only
