Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-05-17
ALMY HANGED.
The Brutal Murder of Christie
Warden Avenged.
Execution Was Bungling Job Yet
Death Was instantaneous.
Murdcrer Never Flinched-Not Allowed 10
Speak On the Galiows.


CoScoRp, n. H., May l6.-Almy arose
| at this morning seemingly refreshed after
a good nights sleep. He retired early last
evening, removing his clothing before go
ing TO bed. He said nothing 10 the death
" stch aside from bidding them goodnight
in his usual pleasant manner.
They were unusually yigiiant, but nothing
occurred during THAR long watch TO indicate
tina, he was not resting as well as he had
done since they had been an duty.
AT the last moment Warden Goliath CON
clu9ed, as Il matter of precaution, TO keep
him in his cell all night. This he did 10
preclude all possibility of escape, although
Amy never, since his incarceration has
given any intimation that he contemplated
making break for liberty.
Invariably, heretofore, in this prison.
the condemned men have passed their last
night on earth in the matrons room, under
til" surveillance of a strong guard
No reason is assigned for deviation in
the practice in this instance, but it is under
stood that the suggestion came from the
state officials and was readily acquie
in by the warden.
Almy arose but once during the night and
after few moments retired To bed. He
said nothing while up. At ! O'Clock sharp
this morning he arose and after ehcerily
greeting the watch dressed himself and
made his toilet. Calling for cigar he
lighted and smoked it, seeming greatly TO
enjov it. This he followed by reading
At G.ij the warden appeared at his cell,
opened it and said, Come this way" Aimy
obeyed. and under the escort of the deputy
warden and the death watch, walked to the
matrons room, which was in the south
wing, few feet from the wardens office.
lie walked steadily and although he en-
deavored to appear the most unconcerned
man in the party, it was impossible for him
to conceal the terrible mental strain under
which he labored.
Bv direction of the warden, the steward
asked Amy what he wanted Tor breakfast.
and at his request furnished him steak,
eggs. rolls and coffee. Almy ate heartily
and with evident relish.
Sheriff IIurlburt and Deputies Arthur T..
Davis of Woodsville, Charles +. Colburn
of Lit'leton w. S. Leonard of Rumney
and W Il. Richardson of Canaan to assist
him, went to the prison early to erect the
gallows and complete the final arrangements
for the execution.
Messrs. Norris, Ray, Blunt and Moulton
of the executive council took carriage at
s o'clock and drove to the prison for the
purpose of determining that, so far as their
duty required. everything was in readiness
for the hanging
They saw Almy who as he called each by
name, shook hands very cordially. lie
said he was feeling as well AS he could un-
der the circumstances. No allusion was
made to the hanging.
Chaplain Wilkins went there early and
and remained with Almy to the end.
A large number of citizens came from
Hanover on an early morning train to
witness the harging. Among them were
Bert Warden Christie's brother and C, +.
Hewitt, who shot Almy IN the Warden
barn before he was captured.
From to 10 o'clock Chaplain wilkins
and the death watch were Almy's only Wis
itors in the matron's room at the prison.
Almy said little and paid no special atten-
ton to the chaplains final attempt to turn
his attention to eternal things, in fact, he
declined absolutely to hear anything. lie
looked about the room, admired the flow
ers that were there and expressed gre it
t7e beautiful landscape stretched away to
the east.
Warden Goliath went to see him at $50,
lie again greeted the official kindly.
'Is there any thing | can do for you,
Frauk?" asked Mr.. Goliath
There is hut one thing, said he.
What is that"
Please allow me to have the ring wore
when came here
The warden after briefly considering the
request said "Yes Frank, YOU may
Thank you, thank you, Warden, shall
Put it on the finger where Christie placed it
long ago
lie lid so. This heavy. plain gold ring
tie placed upon the second finger of his
left hand. Soon a suit of black clothes
which Sheriff lIurlburt had purchased ut
the expense of Grafton county was brought
in and after Amy had taken bath he put
them on. They fitted him nicely.
He knew that be would be delivered up
to the sheriff about 10 o'clock, and as that
hour drew nea. he became perceptbly
rervous, getting up and pacing the room.
The officials allowed him to go where he
pleased inside the apartment.
The doors of the prison for the admission
of visitors opened at go. Long before
tina, time witnesses began to arrive and
waited impaticntly outside the prison.
A. ~ O'Clock sharp Shcriir IIurlburt ard
pertt4 SherifTs Davis, Coburn and Leon
ard, ur Ter the escort of the warden, en-
tered the ms'rons room. and the latter IN
their presence AMI with the death watch as
witnesses, formally delivered Almy to the
sheriff. The latter Informed Amy that he
might say anything he wished before going
to the scafTohi hut would no, be allowed 10
speak On the gallows Amy said he bad
nothing to say.
McanWhie the witnesses assembled in
the guard room in full view of the gallo~s,
l'pwar,ls of $50 persons were present.
| Deputy Sheriff Richardson stood on tn"
| scaffold to see that it was Kept free from in
irusion.
At zoos Sheriff IIurIhurt came 10 the
scaffoll and requested the spectators to
preserve ortier. A minute later DEPUTY
Warden Robinson steppei on the trap to
indicate to the witnesses whore Almy stood.
/ At lG.i3 . the death march was taken
ny from the matrons room, Almy being in
charge of the sheriff and deputies and a.
ronpsnied ty the chaplain. II required
only y brief half-minute to arrive at tic
srai1nld. The stiffness at that time wns
| painful,
| The officers quickly strapped his arms at
the elbows AMI then pnionei his lower
! limbs.
/ When Amy came on the ~caffoi he
! looked first to the right and then to the
| left and later to the floor. seeming TO b.
, minuteiy examining the eallows. Once, ho
/ Looked dirpctfy oyer his head anI saw the
/ rope which was To end his life
! He beca anne very nervous, swaying slight
| Is in either direction, bnt the temporary
support of officers helped him keep in place
I His complexion changed 40 that he was ash
en- pale. He had evidently abandoned al
hope and his spirit broken.
I lie look ont upon the sea of faces, all
! lntcutly tnrned tovard him. One of those
! present he recognized. was Hon. Edward
{ o. Blunt Of Nashua. chairman of the prison
7 committee Of the executive council. A fsin
, snni,., slight nod Of recognition. and ther
( he turned away.
! Sheriff ifuriburt strapped his lower limbs
standing in front of himy. A the sheriff
str4isht.ned up, he looked into the officer
/ fare and said twice, in a low, almost IN
= en iihle tone, MAY speakf' The sheriff
/ shook his head.
/ The officer then reached up and even 2,
| he was adjusting the moose, tlmys hp
moved ami the same iTnploring look was il
! hi. eyes. II is usual to place the black cal
over the condemned mans face before tbs
! rope is hauled down, but as at the Palmer
( execution. this was not done.
( After placing the moose on his neck ant