The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-04-11
THE BlCCERSTAFF HANGING.
How William Biggerstaff Met His Fate
at Helena.

How william Biggerstaff Met His Fate
at Helena.
HELENA. April 6.-Willian Bigger
staff, for the murder of Dick Johnson
on June 8, 1895. was hanged in the jail
of the Lewis and Clarke county prison
this morning. The weight fell at pre-
cisely 10 minutes past 10 o'clock, and
eight and One-half minutes later he
was pronounced dead by Drs. N. Sal
vail and Dogge. His neck was broken
and he did not suffer a particle. He
"died game" as he said he would.
There was no bravado about his de-
meanor, and he was perfectly sober.
Apparently. there was 40 cooler man at
the execution than himself.
Biggerstatf. after winning II ou OF
- games OF cribbage and sundry games
of seven-up. played with a newspaper
reporter, went to bed at 2 o'clock this
morning and was soon asleep. He slept
soundly, snoring SO loudly as to keep
the prisoners, in the tier of sells below
him, awake. He arose at 6 o'clock and
read the morning papers. Breakfast
was taken to him at 7, and he ate heart.
lily. Father Day, his minister, arrived
before the meal was completed. He
performed the last rites of the church,
and remained with him to the end. AT
8 O'Clock the crowd began to collect
about the jail. Those who had invita-
tions were admitted to the Jail yard,
and a dozen or more of sheritfs and dep.
uties were passed into the jail. The
gallOws were given the last test, and
everything was in readiness. The jail
yard began to fill and, as the hour ap'
preached, the waiting crowd showed
signs of nervousness.
At 9:45 o'clock Sheriff Jurgens climb
ed the iron steps leading to the balco
ny opposite the condemned mans quart
erS.
"Biggerstaff, I have a paper here
and l must read it to you," he said.
"All right, sir" was the reply.
The sheriff then read the death war.
rant which closed with the words. ''anC
you shall execute the sentence Of this
court between the hours of 10 o'clock d
m. and 2 o'clock p. M"
Biggerstaff drank in every word and
when the sheriff finished reading, he
asked if the time had been set.
Eyes" was the reply. sit will be as
soon as you are ready"
swell, I'm ready now," said Bigger.
staff
The sheriff then told Biggerstafl
that he had left a glass of whisky for
him and urged him to take it at once,
The sheriff was about to turn away
when Biggerstaff turned to him and
said:
"Whiskey's all right, but [ would
rather have beer" 1t was too late
however, and Biggerstaff turned again
to his confessor. At 10 o'clock Sheriff
Jurgens and Undersheritf Fred E. Hoss
entered Biggerstatf's cell with the
shackles.
Turning to Bill Gay. who was conlin-
ed in the same quarter Of the jail, Big.
gerstaff stretched out his hand with
"Well. Bill, I've got to say good-bye.'
Gay was much affected. He. shook the
outstretchcd hand earnestly. but could
scarcely speak.
Then themarch to the gallows com
menced. the sheriff and uDdersherif
leading the way. Down the stair and
around to the rear OF the jail went the
procession. BiggerstaiF never faltered,
He needed some assistance in dccend.
ing the stairs into the jail yard, owing
to the straps around him. but he walk
ed without q halt to the board platform
under the gallows. Then he calmly
gazed about on the crowd before him.
''Gentlemen, [ wish to thank you all
for the kindness you have shown to-
ward me-" he said, in tones that betok-
ened not the least fear. II will ask all