The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-15
SILENT ON THE GALLOWS
No Confession Escaped the Lips of the
Condemn I'd Man-There Were No Sem
sational Features for the Curious
Crowd That Gathered to Witness the
Execution - Life Was Extinct in
Eighteen Minutes-Death Was Almost
Painless
Special Dispatch to the Standard

| Special Dispatch to the Standard
Helena, Sept. 14.-Beyond the hor-
rors of the execution of human be-
ing, the hanging of Joseph H. Allen
to-day was what was predicted in these
dispatches last night-a featureless af-
fair. The murderer of j. S. Reynolds
met death with the same air of bravado
that has characterized his conduct since
first convicted of the crime He made
no confession and no denial as he stood
beneath the gallows on the threshold
of the grave. His lips were sealed re-
spectins the crime for which he was
about to suffer an ignominous death.
Those who hoped all along that re-
sardless of his statements to the con-
trary, he would at the last minute say
something to relieve the doubt existing
in some minds because of the circum-
stantial character of the evidence were
doomed to disappointment. He neither
afiirmed nor denied, but stood there
Tor second or more with doWncast
eyes, the morning rain beating upon his
bare head In another instant the sig
nal had been given, the rope about his
neck Jerked into the air, taking with it
tine human form attached, and the
spirit of Joseph III. Allen was sent to
another world
1t was all done so suddenly, so quietly
and without the semblance of anything
that could tickle the palate of the sem
sadon-seekers, that more than one of
the spectators wondered what he had
risen so early for. As hangings go, the
sheriffs and other officers who wilt
messed the execution, pronounced it a
success and more than one expressed
congratulations to that effect to Sher-
iff Davidson.
The last execution in Helena was that
of viii Gay. 1t occurred three years
ago last June. 1t was dramatic to
tragic, with his weakening at the sight
of the gallows and his wandering
speech of accusation and denial. con-
clud1ng with the proceedings being sus-
pended temporarily while a local pho
tographer caught snap shot of the
party. But, as already stated, to-day's
affair possessed nothing of the sort 1t
was tame-remarkabl so compared
with the last hanging. The person exc
cuted to-day was of little note to the
community at large, while the other
had something of a reputation, if only
as bad man. To-day's hanging will
be remembered solely because the vic
tim died game
Allen slept well last night. He went
to bed shortly before midnight, after
saying goodbye to his sorrowing
a few letters. The death watch says
that he was soon asleep, and did not
waken until George Marht, the night
Jailer. came to arouse him few min
utes before 5 o'clock this morning. 1t
required second call to get the man
up Then he dressed and greeted
Father OBren, who came to offer him
final spiritual consolation. He said he
mad slept well. In reply to a question
as to breakfast he said he guessed
ne wanted something to eat A tray
load of food. enough for two men, con-
sisting of fruit, oatmeal and cream,
bacon and eggs, buttered toast, cante-
loupe and coffee was placed on the
table before him. He ate more than
would be expected under the circum-
stances and then, leaning back in his
chalf' cooliy lit a cigar. He did not
surrender the weed until the sheriff
entered to place in position the straps
side.
IN the meantime Under Sheriff Haley
had appeared upon the scene and IN a
low tone of voice read to Allen the
aeath warrant. AT the conclusion of
the reading Allen said: "All risht" "
He glanced sideways at the throng Of
sheriffs and others in the corridor, and
saying something about rubber necks.
did not utter another word until he |
spoke to the sheriff as the straps were
being adjusted. Then he said:
Nov, Tom, let's get out and have
this over as soon as possible"
So far as known these were his last |
words. He stepped briskIy alongside |
the sheriff as the officer guided him To- |
wards the corridor. Down the corridor |
went the party. Father O'Brien. the |
sheriff and the condemned man in the |
lead, with the other officers and ;he
visitors following. The sheriff said
afterwards that Allen walked SO briskly |
that he almost forgot to keep hold of |
his arm. At the end of the corridor
facing the Jail yard window had been
removed and through this the party
passed down temporary wooden steps
leading to the ground.
Indicating the way to the gallows the
sheriff stopped Allen upon small piece
of carpet underneath the Crossbeam Of
the scaffold. The work of placing the
moose of the rope over the head and
about the neck was performed in a few
seconds by Sheriff Davidson. Under
Sheriff Haley and J. H. MacFarland, |
the latter drawing the moose tight with
the knot under the left ear. No black
cap was placed over the head to hide
the suffering that might be depicted on
the features. This omission of a usual |
feature of the hangman's paraphernalia
was done at the request of Allen. who |
seems to have wanted to miss nothing.
Meanwhile a rain storm that COM
menced a few minutes before was
getting in its work to the disgust of
the sightseers. who had followed the
st ..f III.