Great Falls tribune., 1888-02-22
SCOTT EXECUTED.
THE WIFE MURDERER PAYS THE
EXTREME PENALTY.
The CONDEMNED Mans Explanation of the
Crime--He Walks Firmly to the
Scatfold and Makes u Few
Remarks.

DEER LODGE, February 17.-Martn L.
! Scott was hanged here today for the
murder Of his wife. Vain efforts we're
made to have his sentence commuted.
Scott asserted that on the night of the
killing he came home. and as he entered
his cabin he was struck across the eyes
with stick by man whom he recog-
nzed as butcher named Thomas Beach !;
that the light at that moment went out
and he heard a rush Of somebody toward
him and he was grasped around the legs;
he supposed this party to be the man
Beach, and he accordingly struck the per-
son several times with his Winchester
rifle, which he had in his hands After
having knocked the person away and hav-
ing evidently inflicted serious injuries,
he tainted, owing to the excitement and
exertion. and being weak from a recent
illness. After lying unconscious for some
time he recovered, lighted the lamp, and
then discovered that twas his wife whom
he had been striking He Immediately
did what he could for her and nursed
her all night in the vain effort to restore
her to consciousness. Beach testified to
having been at the house when Scott ar
rived there and that Scott invited him to
leave, which he did without any delay.
Scott appears to have been somewhat
jealous of Beach, and apparently with
good cause. Scott was four feet six
inches in height and as straight as an ar
row. He had a rather prominent fore
head, fine blue eyes under projecting
and shaggy brows, his face rapidly nar-
rowing to small chin. He was remarka-
bly, bright and witty for man with so
slight an education and had wonderful
powers as mimic, he only needing to
see persons few moments to perfectly |
initiate their ways and talk.
Scott was convicted at the December
term of the district court. He was de-
defended by Mr.. Boarman of Anaconda.
1t is supposed that jealousy was the mo.
1--WE OF the crime.
Jaler Ross visited Scott about 1880
o'clock and Scott asked him how he felt.
Ross remarked that he was not feeling
we'll. Scott spoke up, saying, ~ feel
very WE'LL" AT 1920 o'clock the prisoner
was shaved, after which he was dressed
in a neat, dark worsted suit At II 80
the death warrant was read. Scott showed
no trepidation. lie said, this morning,
he could not thank the keepers too much
for the kindness shcwn him and he in
tended to say so from the scaffold, but his
spiritual adviser urged him to make no
speech. He walked from the Jail door to
the scaffold with pale face, nervous, cast
down eyes, and with slouch hat pulled
over his face.
THE LAST SCENE OF ALL.
SCOTS strength bore up, and as he was
pushed forward by the officers he said:
"Gentlemen, | have been wronged in the
charges against me-, but I forgive all"
The drop fell at II :3S o'clock. Although
the rope simply lifted him up quickly,
his neck seemed to be broken and he
made no struggle. The execution was
conducted with propriety. There was no
hitch at any stage of the proceedings
Scott was led from the Jail to the gallows,
in the jail yard, at II :26 A. M. Only those
persons eligible under the law were ad-
mitted to witness the hanging. Sheriff
Hathaway, of Helena, was present. Scott
was not much disturbed over the situa-
ton and walked with good degree of
calmness up the steps. His countenance,
however, was palid and twiched occa-
sonally as if he was laboring under
sewers mental strain,