The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-07
IN MURDERERS' ROW.
Helena's GalIows Found to BE Not Big
Enough for Two.


Helena Independent: In the northeast
corner of the county jail yard stands
the scaffold on which, in a few weeks
at the most, William Biggerstaff and
Bill Gay will be executed, IL the law
does not interfere. 1t was erected yes
terday. Sheriff Jurgens employed two
men on it large part of the day. 1t
is an extremely simple affair. Two
heavy pine posts. securely braced at
the ground, stand IL feet high. One is
near the east wall of the yard and the
other near the north wall. Connecting
the posts at the top is a heavy cross
beam, securely bolted. Run through
two small, but strong, pulleys, suspend
ed from the cross-piece, hangs a rope.
The rope is designed for use in the
approaching execution. 1t is of hemp,
five-eighths of an inch in diameter.
1t is Sheriff Jurgens' intention to
have everything in readiness for the
execution as soon as possible. Every
detail must be perfected, just as II the
event were absolutely certain to take
place Dec. 20. The law makes 1t his
duty to be prepared to execute the
judgment of the lower court, which
judgment contemplates the execution
of the condemned men just two weeks
from tomorrow. 1t now seems prob
able that neither execution will take
place Dec. 20, but the sheriff has no
right to suppose that. He is required
to proceed with the preparations for
executing the sentence of the court and
he has 10 days in which to do II.
Now that the scaffold Is up, the next
thing in order will be the adjustment
of the weight and the lever that will
drop 1t at the last moment. The rope
must be stretched and frequently test
ed to avoid any possible embarrassing
mishap at the critical minute.
The zCaffOld WAS hf1ilf under Shar-
iff Hatheway's directions with a view
OF accommodating one man-John Hart
and Is rather narrow for a double
execution such as the law now contem-
plates. 1t can be easily widened, IL
necessary. and that detail is giving the
sheriff no cause for uneasiness.
Bill Gay was in particularly good HUI
NOR yesterday. He had just had a
practical demonstration that he has
friends in reality as well as in theory.
A man whom he had never seen before
came to the Jail and told him he would
give his attorneys what money ne
could. He was James Dobbins, Gay
said, and he is a miner who has lived
in the state since 1868. He told Gay
that he believed he did not have a
fair trial, and that he would -'stay with
him to the end. Dobbins. Gay said,
gave his attorneys a small sum which
win assist them in their search for
new evidence.
My attorneys can't travel on moth
ing" said Gay, "and every little sum
that will help pay their expenses is a
good thing for me. I've got lots of
friends who would help me out IL they
knew how serious this thing was.
don't like 10 ask anybody for assist
ance. but now I've got 10 do IT. have
a lot of friends in Butte-more than
anybody in these parts knows of. i
know there are some people in Meag-
her county who would like TO have me
hanged, but most Of those are working
against me on account OF increased cost
TO the county a new trial would mean.
There's lots OF them who would rather
have so innocent men hanged than be
compelled to put up taxes for another
trial that would cost several thousand
dollars. They are liable to get fooled
on II yet. In my opinion I'll get a new
trial.
william Biggerstaff has been engaged
for the last few days in building castles
not castles in the air. but castles with
turrets. towers and drawbridges. out OF
rcd and blue backed playing cards and