Murder of Albert Lucia

On December 25, 1883, 32-year-old Christian Reibling was drinking early for the holiday in Lyndon, Illinois. Already drunk he went to the general store of C.W. Parkhurst looking to buy more alcohol. He got mad when he was told that the store did not sell liquor anymore. This angered him and at the same time, 19-year-old Albert Lucia came into the store.

For some reason, his anger was focused on Albert. He would then threaten Albert with his pocket pistol and tell him to leave the store. Albert being the meek and harmless type of youth left the store and went to a livery stable owned by Constable G.R. Cady. It was probably to seek some protection.

Christian not knowing that the boy went to the livery stable went there also. He would then see Albert laying on a pile of blankets and would get angry again. He would threaten him and told him to leave. 

Albert would state he did not have to get out unless Mr. Cady said so. Mr. Cady would stay silent and not request the boy to leave. Christian would then get his gun out and point it at Albert as he stood between him and the door. Telling him he had to leave. 

An effort was done in trying to take the gun away, but a shot was fired and hit Albert in the leg. It would shatter the bone. Albert would not die automatically, but his wound would cause infection and Albert would die on Jan. 5, 1884. 

He would admit that he did not remember the murder. That he had been drinking diluted alcohol the day before and a bottle of gin with a friend the day of. He stated that if he was in his right mind he would have not hurt the boy. At trial, he claimed that a smallpox sore he had in his head had helped cause him to murder the boy also. He said he regretted his actions that day. He would be found guilty and set to hang on May 16, 1884, in Morrison, Illinois.

Christian's last night was spent will no incident. He went to bed a little later. He was awake by the time the jailer came to his cell at 7 a.m. and stated that he slept very well that night. He was a little nervous and his stomach was upset. He didn't want the eggs and ham that was for breakfast, because he had no appetite. He did want coffee though of which he drank profusely. He would pray continuously that morning mostly in German. 

He would then see Reverend T.E.V. Sweet and Reverend Edward Breen. Prayers were offered to him and he would pray and talk as he walked around. The Sherrif's daughter at one point offered an orange to him to which he ate, and he smoked two cigars. 

At his request, the Sherrif and three members of the church choir would sing to him some religious songs. During the midst of this, he began to cry and he went back to his cell to conceal that he was crying while listening to them sing. 

He said the crying wasn't because of regret, but because of the religious ecstasy, he had drifted away from. He felt that he had been forgiven for his sins. He was accepting of his fate but admitted that it was hard to face the gallows. 

Around 150 people from the surrounding area came to see Christian hang. People were dressed in their Sunday best. Few who came were admitted into the enclosure, none of which were women. Though many women also came to watch the execution. 

His last words were; "Well," he said smiling sadly and bowing to the crowd." I am sorry for what was done and don't have unkind feelings toward anybody, and hope they have none against me. I believe I will be saved, for Christ died for our sakes. I believe it just as firmly as I live. I hope I shall go to a better place and I believe I will be saved by Him." He would hesitatingly look at the sheriff and smiled. "And I want to thank the Sheriff Mr. Beach for his kindness. He had always treated me as a gentleman." He then looked at the deputy sheriff. "Mr. Cole has also been kind to me so has Mrs. Beach. Well, that's all I have to say, gentlemen."

Mr. Sweet would recite a prayer for Christian, when he finished the prayer he was hung at 2:06. He went straight down and struggled for an instant. He would be dead by 2:15 his neck was broken. The on-seers who were permitted to watch were civil, but those outsides tried to make their way in or were climbing trees so they could watch. None of the people there were relatives of his.

SOURCES:

Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri pg 9

Quad-City Times May 16, 1884

Chicago Time May 16, 1884

Chicago Tribune May 17, 1884