The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-08-24
INTO ETERNITY.
Harry Roberts, the Murderer Of j, w.
Crawford, Expiates his Crime
on the Gallows.
He Meets His Fate Bravely and Dies
Without Struggie-A History
of His Crime.
Terrible Scenes Attending the Execution
of Four Wife Murderers At New
York. Who are slowly StrAngled.

BUTTE, Aug. 2S.-(Special TO the Inde-
pendent Last night Harry Roberts sat
up till 2:3O O'Clock, waiting TO hear from
Anaconda, whittier Governor White had
gone. Many Of his friends sat up all night,
but no intelligence came from the COVER
nor. The condemned man passed the
evening conversing pleasantly with some
of his friends, who called to see him, and
with Rev. Father Van Deven and Rev.
Andrews of the Baptist church At 2:SO
he went to sleep and slept till $50. He
was awakened at that hour by the putting
of q prisoner in the jail, but he fell asleep
again at and slept till 10.
At $50 this morning Sheriff Lloyd re-
ceived a telegram from Gov. White saying
that he would not interfere,
but that the law must take Its
course. Sheriff Lloyd informed Tom
Richards, the death watch, and Richards
went up at once TO tell Roberts he did
not awake him, however, as he was asleep,
but told him when he awoke at 10 O'Clock.
When he first awoke Roberts had eaten a
substantial breakfast, and afterwards
fallen asleep.
When informed that the governor had
refused to commute his sentence, he said;
"Well, L did not expect much of anything
better" He then had a conversation with
his guards, who were personal friends, on
religious subjects. He said he d not con-
slider 1t necessary to join the church or
make public profession Of religious belief.
He thought man could make his peace
with God without making g parade of re-
o eh..A Aa.f - Ant
was read to him. He received il unmoved
but respectfully.
At minutes past he was led out to ex-
ecution by Sheriff Lloyd, only the Jail Of
fcers attending. Roberts had declined
with thanks the offer of the clergyman to
attend. He was dressed In q new black
suit and walked with a firm tread and head
erect. Taking his position under the
moose, be said: ''I'd have got my reprieye
IL 1t hadn't been for w. A. Clark and w.
NJ. Jack. l forgive them and have prayed
God TO forgive them and me. 1 hope that
he will answer that prayer" When he
had finished speaking some of his friends
shook hands with him and the straps were
adjusted about his arms, legs and body.
Sheriff Lloyd then took the moose
from the post and adjusted it
about Roberts neck. AS he took
his hands away Roberts moved his neck
unessily and said, make it little
tighter; that's too loose; it will hurt"
Sheriff Lloyd accordingly drew the rope
little tighter about his neck. The black
cap was then adjusted and the sheriff had
scarcely removed his hands from 1t when
the drop fell, exactly at LIP. Roberts was
jerked three feet into the air and then fell
back until his feet hung within six inches
of the ground. His neck was broken in
two places After hanging eleven min
utes the doctors pronounced him dead. AT
LIS the body was lowered into coffin and
taken into the court house, where a crowd
gathered about IL. At o'clock il was re-
moved TO Sherman's undertaking rooms.
The funeral will take place at 2 O'Clock to-
morrow.