The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-17
NO FEAR BETRAYED Gull I
John Burns Stared Death In the
Face Without Losing His
Composure.
He Bade His Friends Good Bye
and Then Said "Let
Her Co."
Maintained His Innocencs to tho Last
His True Name Is Given as Hugh
j. Hamilton.

A ISSoULAt Deo. lO.-L Lspeclel. J-Io-dhy
John Burns, ths murderer of Maurice Hig-
gins, suffered the extreme penalty Of the
law. At no time did his wonderful nerve
and fortitudc fail him. He was apparently
cheerful and resigned to his fate. Most Of
the night he talked to the guard, reporters
and to the visitors who were permitted TO
sec him. He still maintained his inno-
cence. Rev. Father Guidi. his spiritual ad-
viaer. spent several hours with him in the
earlier part of the evening and returned
about seven o'clock this morning.
Barns went to sleep at $3.50 a. M, and
slept soundly nntil seven. when he got up
and dressed. Father Guidi was there. and
after talking with him for short time, he
prepared TO breakfast and ate hearty
meal. At $50 the sheriff's cffice waa
crowded with mon who had come to wit
moss the hanging. There wero among
them number OF officers from other coun-
tiss The crowd continued to increase un-
til the Office and rooms were full and many y
were compelled to wait in tho Enclosure.
where the Kcaffold had been erected. This
inclosure was formed by high board
fence on three sides, the rear wall Of th O
jail 1IhhiHk bnO ADult bAASs LILO pihbLokaAs
Of the scafold was built aRainst this wall.
1t vas so arranged that on the sheriff
touching a lever chisel would cut the
rope holding up the trap-door ON which the
condemned man was to stand.
While the crowd were waiting the con-
demned man could be heard talking in a
composed voice to Father Guidi in his cell.
At $40 Butns requested to be taken aronnd
the corridor to bid his friends among the
prisoners goodbye. His request was ac-
ceded to and he walked around with dep
uty. He seemed to be the most composed
and cheerful man of all those in the jail
and said few words to each of those whom
he knew. few minute before the fatal hour
he won't to the hydrant in tho lower corri-
dor and took drink of water. In doing
so he smiled at the visitors who were stnnd-
ing at the grated door.
Promptly at the hour of 10 Sheriff Hous-
ton went in and informed tho prisoner that
the time had arrived. His hands were tied
behind him and no walked unsupported oat
of the jail and up on to the Ecaffold. The
steps leading to she platform were covered
with ice. but Burns walked ny them firmly,
wAsh sho AAH LCpht Vooas pebAAs
him. When he stood ON the trap he said in
q Arm voice to tho crowd looking on:
Gentlemen, bid you all goodbye"
While the straps and noose were being
adjusted he was talking quietly but COM
posedly to Father Guid. Sheriff Houston
then asked him if he had any more to Ray,
and he replied:
"Let her CO."
The black cap was the placed over his
head. He repeated n prayer of the father,
and as the last words, Christ be my saw
ior," were spoken. the trap fell, at 1911.
The neck was dislocated by the drop. which
was about Eve feet. There WAS scarcely q
quiver of tho muscles.
Drs. Bilmeyer and Fitzgerald, in eleven
minutes, pronounced him dead, and the
body was taken down. 1t was turned over
to Barney Flyn, the undertaken, who placed
it in coffin.
Burns told his lawyer and Father Guidi
that they could give his true name to the
police after the execution. 1t is Hugh J.
Hamilton. His parents are dead. but he
has several sisters and bt tothers living in
New York state. He claims 10 be de-
scendant Of Alexander Hamilton, secretary
of the treasury under Washington. One OF
his brothers was present during the second
trial.