This week in 1887

“Gentleman, I have come to meet my fate. Had justice been done at my first trial, I would not be here today for this purpose. I have no ill-will toward any man living, and am prepared and ready to meet my God.”

— Frederick Hopt, convicted of murder, firing squad, Utah.
Executed August 11, 1887

Hopt was convicted of murdering the Provo city marshal. He claimed that he murdered him because the marshal had abused him while he was incarcerated in the Provo jail. Before Hopt was executed, he gave his few possessions to fellow inmates and requested that his body be buried outside the prison instead of being donated to science.