This week in 1920

“My last wish is that Sam Cardinella hang, too. He’s responsible for me being here. He headed the gang. It is sweet to die for a mother, sister and a brother. I forgive all who have done anything against me. I want to thank the sheriff and the jailer and all who have been good . . .”

— Nicholas Viana, convicted of murder, hanging, Illinois.
Executed December 10, 1920

The nineteen-year-old Viana said that he had walked into a pool hall one day and a week later became a criminal. Viana murdered a saloon owner during a holdup. He spent his last hours with his mother singing “Mother o’ Mine” at her request. On the way to the death cell he sang “Miserere.”