The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1894-12-26
JERKED TO LAST JUDGMENT
The Sudden Stop at The End
Broke His Neck.
The Murderer Of Mrs. Cunningham
Expiates His Crime at Kalis-
pelll, and Dies Game.

the penalty with his life. At seven n
minutes past ten this morning CALVIN
j. Christie, alias G. J. Black, swung
into eternity. ;
The doomed man went to sleep
quite early last night, and at O'Clock
this morning Sheriff Gangncrarouscd
him from q sound sleep. 4 break ]
fast composed Of half dozen raw
oysters, half dozen fried oysters ana
two eggs was prepared for him at his
request. After dressing and arrangg
inc his toilet lie sat down and de-
youred every bit Of the breakfast.
He was quite composed, but paced
his cell in a nervous manner. Key.
G.. NJ, Fisher remained with him all
morning.
Promptly at 10 o'clock, the hour
set for the execution, Sheriff Gang
ncr opcncd the cell door and an
nounccd that the time had come.
After reading the death warrant he
removed the sllxcl1les from Chrlstle,s
feet. Christie quickly put on his
coat and announced that he was ready
and the procession started for the
gallows, going out Of the front door
Of the jail, around the jail yard ane'
entering the enclosure from the rear.
Before leaving the jail Christie shook
hands with all the prisoners, bidding
them goodbye. 4 smile lighted up
his countenancc which one would
scarcely expect to see upon the face Of
a man who, in q few minutes, would
receive the seycrest penalty imposed
by law.
The procession mounted the scat
fold and Christie stepped upon the
trap. Within the enclosure were
about 100 people. Christie looked
over the crowd and, seeing some one
he knew; said: ';llcllo, jack" Ihc
sheriff Immediately adjusted the
straps, first pinning the condemned
mans hands to his side. AS the
sheriff buckled the strap around hi
waist, he said: .'Ihat.s too tight
Joe: YOU are squeezing those oysters.
The feet were then strapped togethc
and al was in readiness for the moose
when Sheriff Gangncr said: "Charlie
have YOU anything to say to Whivl
he replied: ''I'hs is the happies
moment OF my life. | would no
trade my faith in Jesus Christ Tor
& the gold and pardons that could D
stacked up in this jail yard" ii
then uttered short prayer wit
emotion After saying "Amcn,"
said, ,.Let her goa The moose W;
placed over his deck. KS the slcrl
adjusted it lie good naturcdly con
planned Of it's being SO tight that
cloled him. The black cap w
drawn over his head and a sho
PRAYER was offered by Rev. Fishc
AS the word "Amcn" was utter
the trap was sprung and the cru
assassin was dangling at the end o.
"A hanoman's rope. lie dropped
seven minutes and twenty sccon
Dast ten o'clock. Death was lnsta
taneous, but the pulse beat exact
four minutes.
Sheriff Gagner is to be complimcl
>o' ell for the splendid manner in viii
he performed his duty. Coroi
-. Cummings and DR.. j. 4. Client ca
held pulse, and III four mlnu
pronounced the man dead. III
explained, however, that he was dt
. ~ the instant he dropped, as it co
" be seen that the neck was brol
h!1 completely in two, and only tho $
az held the body up, and the rope
wcdocd in between the ends Of
bone. There was not the slight
movement Of the body, not eve
quivcr.
Christie, or Black as he is
known, died game, and met his dc
with that coolness and nerve that
characterized his conduct all throu
He stouty denied his guilt
claimed that he was innocent.
told Rev. Mr.. Fisher that he had
confession to make regarding
murder. as he. was innocent OF
crime. lie has acknowledged
commission Of numerous 0thcrcrll
. mostly robbcrics. but would max
~ statement regarding them: it m
get others into trouble. Ever!
fort was made to secure 4 confess
but his lips were scaled.
The body was taken down
placed in pine coffin within
minutes after the trap was spr
Undertaken Bradley took cllarg
the remains and buried the bod
the nottcrS field at the cSpcn
the county. The rope used Was
"a one that shut out the light OF
us for Osncs, the murderer rcct