The Helena independent., 1889-01-23
HE IS HOME AGAIN.
Sheriff Jefferis Arrives From the
Northwest Territory With Geo.
Godas, the Murderer.
THE LATTER CHEERFUL.
Details OF the Trip and What the Halt
Breed Under Sentence OF Death
Has to Say About His Crime
and Sentence.

George Godas, the hAlf-breed murderer,
is once more In the county jail. Sheriff
Jetferis arrived with him about o'clock
yesterday evening. As the train pulled In
crowd OF two hundred or more people
had collected at the Montana Central depot
TO catch glimpse of the now notorious
prisoner. In general appearance Godas is
greatly improved since he left here, being
much fieshier and showing that he has re-
ceived good treatment. Sheriff Jefferis
said his behavior during the trip was ex-
ceedingly good and that not for one mo-
ment did he give any trouble. He said the
statement that Godas jumped from the
train 10 escape Is absolutely false. The
prisoner was quite cheerful and talkative
all the way until he came within sight OF
Helena. Several who noticed him say his
countenance suddenly showed q pall0r as
he realized where he was at last, and that
he seemed deeply thoughtful. When he
stepped from the train he seemed 10 regain
his spirits, but paid no attention TO the
crowd which gathered around him. A hack
was in readiness, and the sheriff and bis
ward stepped In and were rapidly
driven TO the county jail, where
another anxious crowd had congre-
gated 10 get glimpse. The prisoner
alighted rather sprightly and exchanged
courtesies with the officials as they recog-
nized him. "Hello George" said Jallor
Witten. Hellol Well, I'm back home
again." cheerfully responded Godas. The
distinguished guest was well received at
the jail, and knowing that he was due yes
terday, the most elaborate cell In the place
was reserved for him. IL Is called the
bridal chamber, being the cell set apart for
female prisoners. IL Is In this cage that
Godas will remain under death watch,
two special guards having been employed
TO watch him.
He has acquired a much better use OF
the English language than he had when
here before. In relation 10 his capture his
story does not materially differ from that
related In these columns before. He says
he "stood OFF, one man who attempted 20
arrest him single handed, but the mounted
police proved TOO much for him. He denies
the stories sent here TO the elect that he
said he would not be taken TO Helena alive.
He stoutly claims that he Is innocent, how
ever OF the crime for which he was con-
demned 10 hang.
Sheriff Jefferis has been gone ten days
and does not appear any the worse from
his trip. lie arrived az Regina az 7 o'clock
ON the morning Of the 18th, and hurried
around 10 arrange for the custody OF Godas.
lie went 10 the headquarters OF the mount
ed police and met the commissioner, intro
duced himself and stated bis mission. He
said he was accorded every courtesy In
procuring the prisoner. He first settled
The expense bill and the reward, which
amounted TO s6l0. OF this $500 was for the
police who made the capture and S3l0 for
keeping and feeding the prisoner. After
presenting his requlsition papers he re-
auested that the prisoner be brought TO the
| train and told them 10 say nothing 20
Godas OF where he was going. Godas wAe
| furnished with a suit of clothes of The
Canadian style, including tobaggan cap
and big wooden leggings. He was kept in
| the barracks about TWO Miles from Regina,
and while there was under q special guard.
The soldiers at the place seemed glad that
II relieved them Of patrolling night
and day In the cold, by turns.
Godas was taken from the barracks In q
wagon with his hands shackled. He
seemed deeply interested In knowing
where he was being taken, and not until he
was in the car and introduced TO Sheriff
| Jefferis had he any idea he was on his way
10 Montana. The train pulled out of Re
gina about noon, Sheriff Sefferis having
transacted all his business since 7 o'clock
| In the morning OF the same day. Godas
occupied good deal OF Mr.. Jefferis' time
| the first few hours In protesting his inno-
cence, but finding the sheriff not greatly
interested In his conversation, he dropped
the subject. Arriving ut Winnipeg that
night attend snS 0icns 70. ssep ses 0Jsnsss gssrs
remained over the night and had Godas
placed In jail there. They left Winnipeg
the following morning at $50 and had TO
stop again at Grand Forks, where they re-
malned couple of days, Godas being fur
nished quarters In the Grand Forks jail.
While there he sold cartridge belt 10 one
of the prisoners for 30 cents, which he in
vested In tobacco. After leaving Grand
Forks, which was Monday morning, they
came right through without any delay,
reaching here last evening as stated.
Sheriff Jetfers says that GOdas Is about the
best prisoner he ever travelled with. He is
an enormous eater, said Mr.. Jeiferis, and
can get away with more food In one day
than an ordinary person can In three.
| While not engaged In eating he was smok-
ing and used up good many cigars.
George GOdas has had long vacation,
and since the time he was captured at Ed
monston the county has been put 10 great
expense 10 regain him. He escaped from
the county jail Sunday, July 10, 1883, i'm
company with Sam Williams and Bill
Davis, by cuttiug hole 7xl4 inches In the
pauley cells. He was under sentence OF
death for the murder Of Farmer Embody.
and was 10 have been hanged the 10th OF
last August. The supreme court was In
session AZ the time and an appeal for new
trial for GOdas was 10 have been consid
cred, il being the general impression at the
time that new trial would be granted.
The details Of the crime for which George
GOdas was sentenced TO be hanged are re-
called at this time. On the night of Sep
tember ., 1881. at a quiet little ranch on
Dearborn creek, john Embody, 20 years OF
age, was murdered Ia his bed by having
his head split open with an axe while
asleep. The murderer then dragged the
body 10 the center OF the floor and set the
cabin on fire, but II did not entirely burn,
and when the murdered man was found
the next day One side OF his body was
badly charred. The murderer fled, and AZ
two horses together with the man who
worked for EmbCdy were missing, the
coroner's Jury returned n verdict to the
effect tha. The old man was murdered by
George Godas, The farmer had the day
previous 60 his murder disposed OF his
ranch and stock realizing 81, $50 and the
following day intended 10 start east 10 visit
his wife and children who reside
In New York. Every circumstance pointed
10 the guilt OF GOdas. who was a stranger
on the Dearborn. After his capture, which
was several days after the murder was
committed, he was brought 10 this city,
where he was tried and received death
sentence lie claims he was not fairly
dealt with At the time OF his trial, sayina
he was allowed tO see his attorney only
twenty minutes before he was brought into
court.