Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-02-11
How II Feels to Be Hanged.

Wnen was about ~ years old
left New Hampshire, my native State,
and came West, with the idea of secur-
ing fortune in the mines. That was
about ten years ago. At that time, to
my eyes, Montana offered the best field
to young man from the States, and in
the direction of that Territory turned
my face. worked my way up into
the northeastern part and was begin
ming to feel just little blue, although
would not confess it to myself. / had
not found gold mine at the first Jump,
as fully and confidently expected, and
instead OF juggling dollars in my pocket
got down to rubbing dimes together,
and even their music sounded sweet,
Tor before long / was whacking burros
for place to sleep and something to
eat
Finally worked my way to little
town away up in the corner of the
Territory, and by making plenty of
friends and hard work I began to see
daylight through my difficulties. Then
the camp had boom and things were
lively for time. / took good care to
profit by it, and was in fair way to
raise money enough to shake the
country, when a strange thing hap
pened. One night the beds were all
full at the house and doubled up with
tall miner, who was stranger in
town. Before 1 awoke the next morn
ing he was gone, and after breakfast /
heard that saloon-keeper had been
killed and robbed of $500. Late in the
afternoon a man came up to me and
said he wanted to see me on little
business. l went with him, and we
walked quite distance until we came
to team hitched to lumber wagon
full of men. [ was ordered to Jump in,
and then for the first time it struck me
that 1 might have been accused of the
murder of the night before. L asked
them what was wanted for, but re-
ceived no reply, and we we're driven
out OF town to clump of trees mile
Or two away. A rope was produced,
one end placed around my neck, and
the other end thrown over the branch |
of tree. l was then asked to make a
confession. 1 told them briefly that
had nothing to confess, and that if they |
could find the tall miner with whom
had slept the night previous he would
declare my innocence. They only |
was to die. was filled with such
feeling of horror that my legs seemed
to give way beneath their weight, and
two men assisted me-
"The order was given to pull away,
and up L went. the rope tightening
about my throat like some living thing
intent on killing me. Suddenly was
lowered to the ground and again asked
to confess. tr ed to speak, but could
not utter sound. I was speeches..
Upon a slip of paper asked that my
father and mother be notified of my
death, and wrote the address. After a
brief consultation 1 was pulled up
again, and, as my eyes closed, itseemed
as though I had looked upon earth for
the last time. At first 1 suffered in
tense pain, then feeling of dizziness
came over me and my head swan around
and around and I'felt as though were
falling a great distance. Then sensa-
ton as of sleep came over me. 1 knew
Of nothing after that until I found my
self lying on the ground, while the
form of man bent over me in the
gathering darkness, and water was
dashed in my face. The revival was
one of pain, and just then I would
rather have been left to die.
IL was taken to house, how I do
not know, and put to bed. My throat
panied me and could not talk. re-
NAMED there for twenty-four hours,
when the man who cut me down came
in and said they had found the tall
miner l had slept with and they knew
was innocent He had cut me down
On his own responsibility, he said; but
now he could tell the boys, and he did.
They came to the cabin with rush and
some of them cried for JOY when they
found I was alive. They asked me
1uestions and / found could not talk.
Then they took me to the hotel, put
ne in the best room and sent for a
doctor.
"When the doctor came and made an
of nv throat he said that
some of the smaller bones of my neck
lad become disiointed. He worked on
he case two weeks and finally found
ny voice again. But the terrible red
car still remained and suppose al {
yays will. "-DenUer Neacs.