The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-07
THOMAS KING HANGED.
The Murderer Of Matt Fogerty Pays
the Penalty Of His Crime
at Boulder.
He Plays the Leading Part in a
Swift and Well Managed
Execution.
scenes and Incidents During His Last
Hours on Earth--something About
His Life and Crime.

Scenes
Hours ON Earth--something About
His Life and Crime.
Ror1pER, May Especial. The first
lines of the gray dawn were slowly shoot
inc over the hill-tops into the valley be-
meath Yesterday morning when Tom King
dronned into his swinging canvas cot in the
Ronlaer Jail to catch few hours of sleep
before leaving the earth on the gallows.
The night had passed without any incidents
IF particular interest. In the little narrow
ce,i King had passed to and fro from his
cot. chatting with Frank Penny. the guard,
and smoking continually. Early in the
evening he conversed with the newspaper
men and George D. Greene, his attorney,
who has worked hard to save the lie OF his
client. Shortly after midnight Sheriff Hal
ford and The INDEPENDENT man dropped
into Kings cell and remained with him I'M
III after2 O clock. When an attempt at cheer
fuf conversation was made King occasionally
;nterpolatod a remark and smiled; though
he was evidently very busy thinking. The
sheriff told the scenes at the Bryson execu-
ton. and when he referred to the wonderful
nerve of the wife murderer at the
critical time and spoke of the cool way in
which he met death, King sh owed consider
able interest. He spoke in low, trem-
bling voice, though this his friends say,
is nothing new. The conversation took va
rious turns, and among other things it was
remarked that the terrible suspense Of
death punishment was greatly lessened by
long confinement with the certainty that
death by the rope was coming. King
afterward remarked that he had found
this true in his own case. During ono OF
the lapses of conversation he showed q COL
lection of colored drawings which he had
made during his confinement. While the
work was rude, it was creditable to q man
who had never attempted anything Of the
kind before. He talked calmly of the
tragedy at Elkhorn for which he was to
give the penalty of his life, and said few
words about George Peters who, as King
saws, was the cause of the entire difficulty.
When some one remarked that death came
only once and it made very little difference
in What form. the condemned man nodded
his head with some show of satisfaction.
While there were no visible signs of ner-
yousness. it was evident that his mental
torture had begun. At times there was a
pitiful look in his eyes and his face was
marked by sharply drawn lines about his
mouth and yellow pallor. While he
seemed to follow the conversation, he was
looking first at the floor and then at the
ceiling. He was dressed in the black whip
cord suit, which he wore on the gallows.
and passed the time smoking. When
his visitors left, the guard advised him to
20 to the gallows like man.
= n will do the best can." said King.
He then shook hands and said good night.
He continued talking to the guard for a
couple of hours and then without undress-
ing dropped on the cot for rest. 1t was a
nervous and restless sleep and at no time
was he unconscious. After tossing about
for an hour or so he arose and greeted his
guard pleasantly. It was quite evident
from his appearance, however, that his
nervousness had greatly increased, and
when Sheriff Halford saw him he began to
fear that the nan would break down when the
final act was reached. A few kind words
seemed to soothe King and his breakfast
was brought to him by Chinaman. This
consisted of broiled chicken and steak
and few onions and cup of coffee, but
all were untouched. The early hours OF
"sSA~
the reporters and few visitors who came
to the cell. He told one of the reporters
that he was feeling as we'll as man in his
terrible condition could, and that he would
make hard effort to take his punishment
with all the nerve he could command. he
Helena which was to bring Father Fo!lett
the GOOD priest who has 80 faithfully minis
tered to Kings religious needs.
In the meantime the dnal tests were made
of the death machine. The hve-elghth'
cotton rope was stretched to its utmos
tension and loaded with weights and tw'
deputies we're busy oiling the fatal moose s.
that death would come with all Posslbl
ease. Around the quiet etreets OF the tow
groups of men were standing about IN tn
warm sunshine discussing executions !
general and the coming one IN particular
Every one Of them had ssseen man hung
and several of the old-timers had seen exc
cutions where the formality gave way
haste. It was astonishing to- ind no
many of them were present Wnen Geore
time drew near the crowd of men and boy
gathered about the Jail and the rouR
hoard fence surrounding. For fully q
hour before the execution crowd OF
hundred or more men and boys had secure
places outside where big cracks and hol
n the Fence afforded good view of the i
terror scene. Some twenty-five or thlr
nannie were within the enclosure watchil
the deputies at work on the rope. A Co'
deal Of joking was lndu!g
over a matter of more solemnity thu
the crowd seemed to appreciate. At 1880 t
trains from Helena and Butte brought sc
eral invited guests to witness the executio
Among them were Sheriff Quigley, of De
LODGE Wardens Tom McTague and jam
Coniey. of the penitentiary, Sheriff Ham
ton. Of Cascade county. Col: John Wort
Father Follett and Rev. Mr.. Snider
Helena. Sheriff Jefferis was also presel
Father Follett went Immediately TO the G
where King was anxiously awaiting
presence, Priest and penitent spent
remaininp time in the cell, where King
ceived the last sacraments OF the chul
and made confession. The impress
RELIGIOUS services seemed to have soothi
eject on King, and while not cheerful
became cool and collected and remained
during the brief remainder of his life. +
ciseIy at IL O'Clock Sheriff Halford, acco
panied by his deputies, appeared with
death warrant. Standing near the 81
door of the cell. in the presence OF HI
the priest, Mr.. Greene and the reports
the sheriff read in q low tone the warra
including the various respites. During
reading Kings eyes were fastened on
door OF the cell. and not sign of emot
on his face. When this was finished X
raised his eyes and murmured in tn
bling tone,
II am prepared to meet my God"
The following statement prepared