Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-03-21

ltihth tHt uOObt anu lbo tiBul UP
ward some thirty inches.
The mechanism was thoroughly
tested Thursday and again early thi'
morning after the rope had beer
soaped to to make 1t pliable.
Calder ate n hearty breakfast ant
before it was over received Rev
Pfaus. He seemed less moved by tn,
presence of the minister than the day
before. and absolutely avoided any.
thing bordering on n confession.
To his attorney. Mr.. Cort, he reit
Grated his innocence. AbOut9o'clocB
his mother saw him for the last time
Both wept copiously. she being al
most unable TO undergo the ordeal
He freely forgave his mother fol-
what he considered she had done
though his only grievance was that
she had refused to testify falsely 10
save him. He also expressed regret
for the harsh words he had used
toward her. The scene was very
touching when the broken hearted
woman was led out on Rev. Pfaus'
arm. His last words to his mother
were: 81 forgive you for all you ever
did, goodbye"
Immediately afterward Billy wns
allowed to take a bath and was CIV
Ell n new shirt and a pair vi socks
which he put on. A barber shaved
him and he was In readiness for the
last scenes.
Sheriff Shaw had expected several
sheriffs from other counties to be
present, but none arrived. doubtless
because the notice had been 80 short,
as Sheriffs Proctor. of Great Falls,
Hubbard, OF Billings, and Jobb, of
White Sulpher Springs, had previous
ly said they wanted to attend. Sher-
III Shaw would have been glad to
see them and Others, but was disap-
pointed.
Invitations, black bordered. had
been sent out Monday, Immediately
after the date Of execution was fixed,
and several sheriffs also notified by
wire. Drs. Stone, Wilson and Lind
sey attended the execution and Ms
sisted. Besides there were present
the entire sheriff's force, several spe.
cial deputies, those who had served
IL death watch, representatives OF
the press and the regular number OF
citizens, in all about 20.
Outside the yard there were a great
many people, probably 300, all eager
to catch a sound OF the fulfllment of
the laws decree.
Father Vermaat arrived later but
was unable to gain any admission of
guilt, neither would the man discuss
the crime or talk OF a future life ex.
cept that he was innocent and II
there was a God he hoped for some.
thing better than he got here.
The death warrant. comprising
seven pages, and including the first
order of execution, reprieve. order OF
the supreme court and second sen.
tence was read to him and he re.
marked as Tom Shaw began, 6
=, that thing IL long, l am getting
nervous"
He was game to the last.
A few moments before IL O'Clock
he was led out between Sheriff Shaw
Deputies Slater and Scovel, DIR. VIII.
son and Clerk OF Court Wright fol.
lowing. Az he stepped OF the gal
lows and turned round he said, "Ths
sun Is In my eyes"
1t had been expected that he would
make a long statement on the scat.
fold, but he did not, saying only
"Well, | bid you boys all good bye,
| have told Mr.. Johns about every
thing | could tell, all ! a say il
that | am innocent" These were
his last words.
What he told Mr.. Johns was said
just before he was led out, being
merely that ne was innocent and
that Jimmy had said in jail that the
reason he had testified against him
~au bananCa DIa.Lf,rI ha1 IaI hin,
to do so. A page Of matter, com
prising several whereases and u
about the same effect as he gave out
when last sentenced, including moth.
ing new whatever. He wrote this
just before being executed.
Deputy Sheriff Slater affixed the
moose, put on the black cap and lift
ed his hat for IA signal. The weight
fell and Calder was jerked upward
about two feet, afterwards settling
30 that his feet were within -four
inches OF the board on which he
stood. Drs. Wilson and Lindsey
examined his pulse and held it fifteen
minutes, though after ten minutes al
regular pulsations had ceased, occa'
sional beats following for amoment ol
so. The doctors afterward said til,
mans neck had been broken by tn,
jerk. The execution was very sue
cessiul. Jerry st. John, assisted by
the doctors and sherifs took dowI
the body and 1t was placed In a cas-
ket ready at hand and turned ovel
to Mrs. Smith who had requested 1t
Thus the first legal hanging II
Fergus county was concluded anc
the murder OF Farquhar McRel
avenged and mn example set I,
Others who may contemplate such I
crime