The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-06-09
BILL GAY HAS GONE
The Murderer Weakened and Died
Protesting His InnOcenc,
HE PLEADED FOR MORE TIME
To the Last Moment He CIurs to
Life-He Talked Until the Rope
Cut Off His Breath-TrIed
to Delay the Execution.
Special Dispatch to the Standard.

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Helena, June S.-Bill Gay was hanged
Tor the murder of James Macke this
morning In the Lewis and Clarke
county jail yard. The weight fell as
the big court house clock across the
street tolled the last strike Of II
o'clock. His neck was broken and his
pulse ceased to beat in seven and q
half minutes. Half an hour later the
body. accompanied by a priest. an un-
dertaker and a reporter, was on its
way to the Catholic cemetery where in
terment took place.
Gay died hard. He could not give up
and did everything possible to delay
the execution a few hours. His hour
was set for 10 o'clock, but he pleaded
for time. At that hour and for a long
time before he was In state Of col
lapse, having spent a miserable, sleep
less night Even when the last moment
arrived and he stood under the scaf-
fold. he clung to life.
1T is hard to die like q dog" were
almost his last words. He died pro-
testing his innocence. and with q sign
only did he say he forgave his enemies.
That was the most dramatic incident
In the CHASTITY scene. He had talked for
10 minutes and would have continued
II he had been permitted. II was
speech to kill time. When advised by
the sheriff and his confessor to leave
off, he called for whiskey. 1t was given
him. Here's luck" he said address,
ing friend among the spectators.
Stepping In front of the doomed man,
the confessor said, impressively:
"William Gay. do you forgive your enc
mies?" Gay hesitated. SHOULD I say
yes and tell lie, whether feel II or
notr
1T Is your duty to forgive" said the
father solemnly.
Suppose say so and don't feel It in
my hearth" said Gay. II cannot forgive
all; cannot forgive Benson"
1T Is hard to forgive. but you must
do so to save your SOUL" said the
priest.
There was a space of a minute in
which the priest pleaded. You told
me you would forgive ALL" said the
priest. Gay bowed assent. and turning
to those present, Father Van Claren-
beck said: "Mr. Gay says he forgives
all whom he thinks may have wronged
him during or before his trial.
The sheriff adjusted the black cap.
Requesting the sheriff to lift the black
cap moment, Gay said to the specta-
tors: II tell you boys, 1t Is hard after
what have done-and I have saved
many white people-to be taken out
and hanged like dog Have little
bit Of feeling for a fellow man." he
added, turning to the sheriff. who had
begun to readjust the cap. Don't pull
I<,xx,, l. nx-I. II n,,A - ha
! may never see another sun 80 good
as this one" Gay looked up In the
blazing sunlight. Gentlemen" he said,
addressing the crowd, you are wit
nesses to a man being murdered" The
Gays last sight of things earthly. The
moose was adjusted and Sheriff Jur-
gems raised his big white hat. II was
the fatal signal. Down fell the weight.
and Bill Gays career had ended.
Gays last night was the most mis-
cradle he ever had. He was sick and
suffering from a fearful headache.
Unable to sleep, he sat through the
night waiting for the end. Morning
came and he was too i'll to sit up. He
had not eaten anything for "a hours
The confessor called early. The crowd
gathered at the Jail about O'clock.
Among those admitted were several
sheriffs and deputies from different
counties. At 10 o'clock Sheriff Jurgens
read the death warrant to Gay in his
cell. He then dressed and knew the
hour had arrived. Then he said he
wished to transact a little important
business, and asked to be allowed to
write. Col w. +. Sanders, his attor-
ney, volunteered to do what writing he
had, and Gay for 10 minutes dictated
to him about some trivial matters. He
was only fighting for time. Gay then
asked the sheriff to put off the execu-
ton until o'clock. The sheriff said he
could not. "Some one telephone to the
governor; I want tn see him. He won't
refuse a dying mans request" said
Cay He resumed his writing and
Colonel Sanders went across to the
governors Office. returning In few
minutes.
Gay, the governor declines to come"
said Colonel Sanders. Gay wrote on. 1t
was 1880 o'clock The confessor urged
him to make ready. Come on, Bill; /
would come on" said Colonel Sanders.
but Gay delayed for 10 minutes longer,
when, at 10:40. the march to the scaf-
fold began. Gay staggered q little. but
walked unsupported through the Jail.
He was assisted over the steps leading
into the yard and In a moment stood
under the scaffold, the priest and sher-
III by his side. with Undersheriff Hoes
and Deputies Martin and Hoker also
at hand. Gay said he wished to speak,
and the sheriff told him to proceed.
Gentlemen and friends" he began.
in a steady voice, Il would like to
make long speech. but have been
sick: not able To sit up even. | have
been sick all night. That is the reason
why | cannot make much of a talk. i
would like to. but / am not In shape to
do IL. know | have a great many
friends in Helena and elsewhere. /
never was in a place where / had no
friends. Even over in Neagher county
| have friends. | have been all my life
on the frontier and been In many hard
fought battles and sliirmishes. and
fought Indians and killed lots OF them.
/ consider Indiens have more human
ity. manhood and pity than the people
of Meagher county. OF course, there
are exceptions. ] never killed any one
IN Meagher county. In my last drawn
breath | swear ala not could have
killed dozen Of the towards had
wanted 20"
Then followed the dramatic insident
when Gay was asked 10 forgive his en-
euies. He talked for 10 minutes. telling
the sheriff several times not 10 be in
rush"
= - al ~. a a.