The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-02-15
THE EXECUTION OF HARTT.
At 11:27 This Morning the Fatal Drop Was
sprung--The Prisoner Pale but Calm
and Collected--His Last Words
death instantaneous.
FINAL PREPARATIONS.

1
| HELENA, February 9-The arrange
nents for the execution of Hartt, con
| Victed OF the murder of Pitts at Boulder,
nearly three years ago, have been COM
pleted by Sheriff Hathaway. The opinion
in best informed circles is thai Gov Leslie
will not interfere. The execution will
take place in the jail yard, and only those
whom the law permits will be admitted as
witnesses. In an interview with Hartt
this evening he appeared in good spirits
and said that he was prepared TO meet his
doom, and that his making speech from
j the scaffold would be determined in the
morning by his spiritual adviser, Father
Vanderbroeck. Il he advised him to do
SO he would make a speech. He refused
to talk about the crime for which he has
been convicted, but asked as an especial
favor to publicly return his thanks to J.
H. Duffy for the interest he had taken in
his defense. The gallows is modern one
with spring. trap, and unless the governor
interferes, the execution will take place
before noon.
Jefferson county has sent we'll signed
protest against executive clemency.
There is large sized delegation Of sher>
ifs and other officials from the adjacent
counties to witness the execution.
THE EXECUTION.
HELENA, February 10-12:45 p. M
Hartt has been swung into eternity The
execution occurred in the little jail yard
Immediately in the rear Of the county
prison. A high board fence had been
erected around the enclosure in order that
no view of the final scene might be OBJ
tanned from adjacent streets. Spectators
were few in number, being confined to
officers Of the law, the jurymen in the
case, sheriffs OF other counties and re-
porters. Outside the fence a large throng
had collected, all bent on viewing the
scene and anxious TO receive information
concerning the event that was about to
occur on the inside.
At 1920 o'clock most of the invited
guests had assembled and general stir
was perceptible. All eyes were turned to
the jail door, from which soon appeared
Hartt, escorted by Sheriff Hathaway and
Under Sheriff Hard, Deputy sheriffs
Gibbs and Walker bringing up the rear.
Hartt, though pale and nervous, was ap-
parently self possessed, and with meas
ured and well-timed tread stepped easily
to the galloWs, mounted the steps and
calmly scanned the crowd. At 11:25 he
stepped upon the scaffold, neatly dressed,
face smoothly shaved and hair nicely
combed. When asked by Sheriff Hadha-
way il he had anything to say, he said:
II wish you all restful conscience and
useful life on this earth, and / hope when
you come through this door you will
bring some little child that has no father
or mother. This is all have to say on
this earth. Goodbye" At 1:27 the trap
was sprung, and at 11:38 he was pro-
nounced dead; his neck was broken. He
died apparently without a struggle.
The trap used was what is known as the
patent weight system, 2s6 pounds weight
being used. The body was turned over
to Father V. /. Vanderbroeck, Hartts
spiritual adviser, who remained until it
was released from the fatal moose.