Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1902-05-31
IN EARLY DAYS.
Story How Bill Henson, a Montana
Hangmau, Was Hung.
Roe6ER AND MURDERER.

"In the year of 1869 Just before
went to Fort Denton there occurred q
hanging which IL worthy OF record. In
the early days of Montana. the stages
had man by the name of Tx Beedlcr
rs a guard and messenger. This gen
tleman took an active part In n great
many hangings. Any whore a vigilance
committee was concerned MIR En- was
orc of them. He got pretty well noted
hated and despised by certain class.
such as those known as FOUNDERS etc.
But most all of the business men stood
by Eek Beedler and kept him doing
some kind of work years after. Some
time In 1868 or 1869. Becdler came
down from Helena To Benton accompa.
MED by mar by the name OF William
Henson. Henson had been in trouble
up at Helena. a Chinawoman had been
murdered and robbed and Henson was
tried for the murder but owing 10 the
victim being Chinese and Ex Beedler
friend 10 Henson. the jury let him go.
hct II left doubtful stain on the pris.
oncr. Beedler came To Benton To get
Henson in on the people as night
watchman. Elk went around with n
paper and got all the business men To
sign enough 10 pay Henson n monthly
salary Of $3.50 Time went on. and
Henson told stories of hanging people
none could tie the hanEmans moose
like him. Garrot.ng, stealing or hold
ups occurred often. a jewelry store
was robbed in Helena and they wired
Henson to hold and arrest a suspect on
the road 10 Benton. Henson arrested
ht. al. a la, s,I l,.t
ed that he found nothing on him. The
next night the prisoner escaped and
was never heard fro"l.
by June al the wolfors. buffalo hunt
crs. hide seekers and freighters were
IN town steamers were unloading.
gambling was at its highest point, and
robblng and garroting occurred so of.
ten that IL was concluded to try and
put stop To H. An old wpfer got on
a pretended spree, treated all hands.
and invited Henson 80 drink He had a
large roll of bills which he exposed TO
all As the hours grew late the old
wolfer fell between two houses known
as the Dark Alley" That same alley
had two watchers. After n few min
utes Henson came in on the drunken
man and took all his money. The man
started TO get up. when Henson struck
him over the head with his pistol and
then ran The two watchers could
plainly see Henson do the job but he
out ran them. They kept things very
quiet. Henson did not show up until
the next night and the boys were ready
for him. They had placed tripod Of
heavy scantling back of Fort Benton,
and a rope was placed through ring
ready for its victim 4 party went to
Henson and told him that they had a
man To hang. and as he was used TO IL.
that II was best for him to make the
Moose. He said he would buy the rope
and ran into |. c. Bakers store. reeled
on thirty feet OF half-inch rope. telling
Baker that h would pay tomorrow. As
ne passed old Henry. the grave digger
he told him that he had job for him
tomorrow. Old Henry caid "All right,
Henson" Then Henson out ran his es.
cort to the hanging bee. and at the gal
lows said To the crowd; where Is the
man" dozen hands laid hold OF
him. and strong voice said To him.
bill Henson you are the man II took
only a moment to adjust the moose
around his worthless neck and up he
went, and stayed up until the coroner's
jury cut him down in the morning. A
letter was found on him from his sister
begging him to reform. They tore up
his floor and found all the iewelry
taken from the store in Helena. He
had let his man go for the stun. $i.s00
worth. This was told me by an eye
witness who cam,,ed with me on the
great northwest plains. and he said
Bill Henson never paid Baker for that
rope. &C. B. s.. In Deming Headlight.