Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1881-02-10

A1Icr the witnesses LOT DOtn tne ue1enSe. anu
prosecution had completed their testimony
Pelkey was placed upon the stand and con-
fessed to the commission Of the deed. His
statement differed materially from his for
mer confessions and was in substance as fol-
lows: Charley Tacke and myself were good
friends. He had been kind to me and had
no feeling of ill-will toward him. Every
night, before going to bed, he used to take
down large bible and read chapter from
it, and explain the meaning to me. The day
on which he was killed we were in the stable
. together A number of hogs had died of
cholera, and l told him we should catch them
and pull out the black teeth While Charley
was down upon his knees, trying to catch a
hog, stood over him. The ak was lying
on the ground, and I slipped on it. | then
picked it up to throw it out of the door, and
in giving it swing accidentally struck Char
ley in the head, inflicting a wound which
bled profusely. The sight of blood always
ing over his face became excited and struck
him twice on the head, just as [ would do
again under the same circumstances to any
body else. then thought that if left him
laying there the hogs would eat him, so I
threw him into the manger and piled the
lime on top of him. One of his feet stuck up
through the lime, so I took the ax and chop
ped it eff, and then jumped on it,
and it went down all right. I took what
money he had in his pocket, and also
what | could find III his box, and mounted
the horse and started for Benton" While
making the confession, Pelkey frequently
laughed, and betrayed an Indifference to the
atrocity of his crime that made deep i'm
preston on all present in the courtroom.
After celebrating for thirty-six hours, the
| jury brought in verdict of murder in the
first degree. The sentence Of death was pas
sed on the 9th of December by Judge Con-
ger, the prisoner appearing in no way affected
when it was delivered. At the conclusion of
the sentence he made low bow and said,
"Thank you Judge"
Peter Pelkey is q French Canadian, twenty
four years Of age, and a man of great muscu-
lar strength. At an early age he left his
home and went to the State of Maine, where
he was employed in the lumber camp. AT
terward he was employed at the same work
in New Hampshire and Minnesota, and came
to Montana eighteen months ago. Yesterday
afternoon a HERALD reporter called at the
Jail and was admitted to the cell of the
interviewed the prisoner, who grasped his
hand cordially and exchanged hearty greet
ings He seemed in the best of spirits, and
during the interview several times banded
jokes with the other prisoners who passed by
the cell in the corridor. The walls of the
cell are elaborately decorated with wood cuts
taken from illustrated papers and fashion
plates. Upon stand lay Bible and sew
eral other religious books. To the inquiry
as to whether he felt resigned to death, he
replied: Il know did wrong and am sorry
for it, but it is too late now, and I am willing
to die for my crime. had fair trial, and
am entirely satisfied with the way have
been treated by the court"
Question-Do you now admit that the
murder of Charles Tacke was premeditated ?
Ans.-I told all about that at the trial and
don't want to talk any more about it.
Q.-Every prisoner is allowed before exc
cution to make any remarks he may desire.
Is it yonr intention to avail yourself of that
privilege tomorrow?
Ans.-No, sir. have nothing to say
Ques-Have you any statement you desire
to make public?
Ans.-Yes. 1 want to express my graft
tude to the Sheriff and Peter Tone, the jailor,
for the kindness they have shown me while
I have been confined here.
Q.-I suppose you have heard the carpen-
tiers at work erecting the scafold.. Has it
annoyed you?
Ans-Not at all. told the boys to fix her
up in good shape.
Here dinner was brought in, which he at
tackled with great vigor and evident relish.
Q.-Do you fear death?
Ans-I am afraid Of nothing. am chuck |
full of sand and vinegar; there is no discount
about me. shall die game. Here he laugh
ed, and moment later added It is no
harder for me to face the rope than to eat
piece of pie.
During the entire interview he seemed in
excellent spirits, and chatted of the execu-
ton with remarkable unconcern.
Just before separating he asked the reporter
if he would be present at the execution, and
on receiving reply in the affirmative, again
stated that he would die game" and asked
that in the account of the execution the fact
be stated, as he had some friends in the coun-
try, and he wanted them to know he had
plenty of sand" He was assured that the
matter would receive attention, and the in
terview soon after terminated.
At an early hour this morning throngs of
men and boys gathered about the jail yard,
and clambered upon the roofs of the adjoin-
ing buildings. AS hour followed hour the
crowd steadily increased in numbers and
occuniad every available snana ovarloo1y;nc,