The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-03-08
SAVED HIS NECK.
Governor Leslie Commutes the Sem
tencs Of George Godas to I'M
prisonment For Life.
A Strong Petition TO His Excellency
Causes Him to Interpose Veto
in the Fellows Behalf.
As IL Was Unexpected, the Communication
is Surprise 90 Everybody who
Knows About th Case.

george Godas, who was sentenced 10 be
hanged to-day, will not suffer the extreme
penalty OF the law, his sentence having
been commuted TO imprisonment for life By
Gov Leslie. One OF the strongest petitions
that has ever been presented the governor
was the one praying for the revocation OF
the death sentence passed upon Godas. Il
was signed by ministers. lawyers, mer-
chants and men OF all kinds and classes.
The petition was presented several days
ago and had been carefully considered by
his excellency, who concluded TO act yes
terday, and dictated to his secretary doc
nment which saves the Cree's neck. but
conslgns him 10 the penitentiary at Deer
Lodge for the rest OF his natural existence.
Sheriff Jeiferis was handed the docu-
ment early yesterday afternoon with In
$50 O'Clock, at which time one OF the con-
demned mans friends was notified TO be at
the jail AT the time mentioned Sheriff
Jeferis. Frank Mcconnell, clerk OF the
district court, and three newspaper
representatives were admitted 10 the
jail by. turnkey. Proceeding up .
narrow Iron stairway to the cage, the bolts
the north corridor to Godas cell. He Wa
standing In the corridor, In his shirt sleeves
and shoeless, smoking pipe. When the
party approached he looked up with an in
quiring gaze, but said nothing. With his
manacled hands he lifted bis pipe from his
mouth, but Immediately replaced Il and
began putting away vigorously.
George" said sheriff Jefferis, IL have
something here from the governor be
wished me TO read you"
read it.
The sheriff began and read, "Whereas,
George Godas was sentenced TO be hanged
BY the neck until he Is dead. March a.
make make ;, those those prisoners stop their
BY the time the prisoners were auieted
the sheriff had lost his place and began
irving TO find IT, which he finally did and
read through 10 the end, the prisoners ap-
plauding when II was finished.
DO you understand, GeorgeT asked
the sheriff.
"Yes. / understand. / feel the same
makes no difference to me. II God say /
must die, all right. II he say 20 TO Deer
Lodge. all right. l don't feel bad. sing
every night The prisoners have heard
me. l have not felt sorry except when l
think II die my old father kill himself.
Then feel sorry. Now what God says l
must must 40, .s must 1sst DO. ! suppose win mot
Il
feel better. Sometimes maybe can write
and get letters. then | feel better again.
Well, well, II makes no difference. 1t IL
all the same, die or Deer Lodge"
When the sheriff and the party left, Go
das was standing smoking his pipe with
the same stoical look upon his face.
THE CHIME.
The details OF Godas' crime as brought out
on the trial are that John Embody. an old
man " years Of age, lived alone In cabin
Dor being three-fourths OF 1 mile away.
Below him on the Dearborn river was
quite settlement of halfbreeds. The old
man was known to be miser and suspected
OF having boarded up considerable money
which was In gold and which he kept In Q
canvas tobacco sack. He had made known
bis Intention Of visiting bis children In
New York and was going 70 leave In Sep
tember. The morning OF September 10,
1887, halfbreed boy was sent out from
camp 10 look for stray horses and wandered
TO EmbOdy's cabin, which he found partly
consumed by fire. He returned TO the set
tlement and gave the alarm. Ten or fifteen
halfbreeds, accompanied BY white man
named Clements, went 10 the cabin.
The IRE had burned away three sides OF
the house. The side containing the Ore
place and chimney was still standing. The
| roof, consisting OF poles covered with dirt.
had fallen In, and beneath the mas OF rub
blsh was found the body of the old man
lying on . bed near the door. The debris
WAS removed and the mutilated remains
| recovered. The legs were gone above the
knees, his arms burnt on above the elbows
and the breast and abdomen burned 70 q
crisp. There was pool OF blood upon the
floor near the head OF the bed which had
apparently dripped from the head OF the
bed 10 the floor. Part OF the skull was en-
tirely gone and 1t had the appearance Of
having been beaten out with some sort OF
an instrument or blown OF by some explo-
sive. A thorough search was made for the
| gold the old man was known 10 have. but
no trace OF II could be found. Near the
building was found silver quarter, the
old mans match box, his pocket knife, and
peculiar piece Of quartz.
Godas had been In the neighborhood for
several days, but was missing % were two
ized, the trail found and the pursuit began
which ended In the capture OF the supposed
murderer al Missoula He was brought 70
Helena, lodged IN Jail and at the April
term OF court he was indicted BY the grand
| Jury. His trial commenced Monday, April
Is, 1888, and continued for three days. VIII
| liam Wallace, Jr, prosecuted, Hon. Th0e.
| II. Carter. delegats-elect 10 congress, and
Hon. w. ii. Hunt member OF the present
| territorial legislature, defended.
Godas was found guilty and sentenced 10
be hanged August 10. An appeal was
taken 10 the supreme court and pending
the appeal he escaped from the Helena
| jail July 10, In company with two burglars,
and made his way 10 the Northwest terri
tory, where he was captured some months
later by the mounted police. Learning Of
| his capture the sheriff procured q requisi-
| ti0n and after vexatious delay Godas
was brought back and placed In jail. The
supreme court at It's next sitting affirmed