This week in 1921

“Old gal, old pal,
You left me all alone—
Old gal, old pal,
I’m just a rolling stone—
Old pal, why don’t you
Answer me . . .”

— Carl Wanderer, convicted of murder, hanging, Illinois.
Executed September 30, 1921

Wanderer remained calm the day before his hanging, refusing playing cards and shunning gifts from fellow prisoners. Prison officials tried to get Wanderer to confess to the murder of his wife and unborn child, but he would not. On the way to the death cell, Wanderer explained that he was not afraid to die. He said that he had fought in France and has always been ready to go.