The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-12-22
Special Dispatch to the Standard

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
KALrsPEL. Dec. 2l.-rhs murder Of
Mrs. Lena Cunningham has been
avenged. The cruel assassin has paid the
penalty with his life. Al l0:07 o'clock
this morning Calvin ]. Christie. alias
Charles J. Black, was swung into eternity.
The doomed man went to sleep quite
early last night and at z o'clock this
morning Sheriff Gangnsr aroused him
from . sound sleep. A breakfast, con-
sisting Of half dozen raw oysters. half
. dozen fried oysters, and two eggs,
was prepared for him at his request.
After dressing and arranging bis toilet he
sat down and devoured every bit Of the
breakfast. He was quite cool and com.
posed, but paced his cell In . restless
manner. Rev. G. M. Fisher remained
with him oil morning.
Promptly at 10 o'clock. the hour set for
the execution. Sheriff Gangner opened the
coll door and announced that tho time
had come. After reading the death war.
rant he removed the shackles from
Christis's feet.
Christie quickly put on his coat and an.
nouncsd that he was ready. and the pro-
eessiou started for tho aallows, going out
Of the front door Of the Jail, around the
fail, and sntselng the enclosure from the
rear. Christie was supported BY Sheriff
GAngner and Deputy McFar ron and fol-
lowed By Rev. G. u. Fisher, Undsr Sheriff
Hicksrnell and Deputy Bsllilsur brought
up tho rear.
Before leaving the Jail Christie shock
hands with all the prisoners. bidding
them goodbye. A smile lighted up his
countenanco that one would scarcely OK.
psct to see upon tho face Of man who,
in . few minutes, would receive the &C.
verest penalty imposed by law. The pro.
cession mounted the scaffold aud Christie
stepped upon the trap.
Within tho enclosure there were about
100 psrsons. Christie looked over the
crowd and, seeing some one he rccos.
nixed. no said "Hello, jack" The sheriff
Immediately adjusted the straps, first
pinning his hands to his sides. As the
sheriff was bucklins tho strap around his
waist, Christie said:
"Thats too tight, Joe, you're squeezing
those oysters" The feot were then
strapped together aud oil was in readi-
ness for the moose. whom Sheriff Gangner
said:
'sCharlie. have you anything to say ?"
To which he replied:
"This 10 tho happiest moment OF my
life. Iwould not trade my faith in Jesus
Christ for all the gold aud pardons that
could be stacked up in this Jail yard"
He then uttered short prayer with emo.
ton.
After saying "Amen" he said, "Let her
20, Joc," and the moose was placed over
his neck. As the sheriff was adjusting II
he good.naturedly complained OF its being
SO tight that 1t chokod him. Tho black
cap was thon drawn over his head and a
short prayer was offered by Rev. Mr..
Fisher.
As tho word "Amen" was uttered tho
trap was sprung anl the cruel assassin
was dangling at the end OF hangman'l
rope. Ho dropped at minutes and sec.
onds past 10 o'clock. Death was instan.
taneous, but the pulse beat exactly four
minutes.
Sheriff Gangncr 10 to be complimentcd
for the splendid manner in which he per
formed his duty. Coroner Cummins and
DR.. J. A. Client each held the pulse and
in four minutes pronounced quiet pulse
They explained. however, that he waa
dead the instant he dropped. as It coult
be plainly seen that the neck was broken
completely in two aud only tho skin helt
the body up. The rope was wedged In be-
| tween the ends OF the bones
There was not tho slightest movement
Of the body. not even a quiver.
Christie. or Black. as he is best known
died gamc and met his death with TIM
coolncss and nerve that has characterized
his conduct all through. He stouily dc
MED his guilt and claimed he was limo
cert. lie told Mr.. Fisher that he had n,
confession to make regarding the murder
as he was innocent OF the crime. iIc ha
| Acknowledged the commission OF numer
/ Gus other crimes, mostly robbery. bu
would make no statement regardin.
them. saying il would get others int,