The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-07-03
Murderer August Sheyie Unflinch.
ingIy Met Death at St.
Helens Yesterday.
HAD PROMISED TO CONFESS
On the Scaff0ld lie Clung To
HIS protcstati0n of limo
cence and "Died
Game"

ST. HELENs, July 2.--(staf corre-
spondence,) lit was indeed dismal
sight thaa met the gaze of the 250
persons who assembled In the COlum-
bln County courtyard az noon today
To witness the execution of August
Sheyie A drizziing rain was falling
when the trap was sprung, and the
spectacle Of the murderer's body
dangling al the end Of the hangman's
rope was extremely oppressive, But
iit was a successful vindieation Of the
law. however cheeress the spectacle
might have been and the crowd re-
mained hUddled IN The inclosurc un-
! tll the examining physicians-Drs Nc
Laren, clin. Haviland and Pilkington,
| the latter ot AstorAa.~~had pronounced
shevie dead
sheyles last hours on earth were
not hlled with the terror that one
would naturally expect. lie awoke
early this morning. ate a hearty break
fast and again al II o'clock. an hour
prior to the time set for the execu-
lion, ate very heavy dinner Dur
Ing the morning the authorities had
Repeatedly interviewed him. and the
clean breast Of the crime on the scaf-
fold Last night Sh"vie told Sheriff
Haitian H. would tell all about the
murder before he expiated his crime
and this incident added renewed IN
terest Ia the execution. Bat, evid mt
Iiy having changed his mind. the mur-
derer ciune 10 his former protesta
tion OF innocence and went to his
death unflinchingly, and In a manner
that denoted great courage. or. per-
haps, mild insanity.
The crowd congregated IN the court
yard some time before the condemned
man was brought from the jail. Sher-
IN Haitian made brief address, say
ing he had felt somewhat uneasy over
his unpleasant duty up TO few days
great change OF sentiment The state
ment that shcvie would probably
make on the scaffold would. the sheriff
said, give the spectators some Idea Of
his reason for feeling differently. Aft
." lmpressing on the crowd the neces-
slty Of preserving the strictest Or
der, the sheriff caused the condemned
man to be brought from the prison.
As .he door Of the little jail opened
and the murderer stepped forth be-
tween two deputy sheriffs. the crowd
turned that way, expecting TO see a
quvering wretch trembling with ter
ror at the fate that was TO send him
TO his doom. But no such spectacle
was presented, Instead, Sheyie walked
with a firm step and with head erect
The steps to the gallows led from the
jail door and up these Shevfe walked
without tremor. He proceeded to
the front of the scaffold, who"N he
turned 10 the crowd and said;
Gentlemen: Tn going TO leave this
world and | am going to leave It in
noceat, I suppose these people have
hard feelings towards me. Some of
the people can see here I know and
they think am guilty; but I am
innocent. I don't wish any of YOU
people hard luck"
At this juncture there was mo-
ment's pause on the part of the con-
demned man and just the faintest
suspicion OF tear welled up in his
eye, to which the hand inadvertently
went. It seemed for second that he
was about to break down, but his
great nerve nlsiihtSSttu llStlls dllu
clearing his voice he continued.
When you die you ought to be pre-
pared TO go to q better place than this
world, Since I've got prepared and
got the word OF God with me and
made my peace with my Creator. I
feel better Nd life was not very good
in this world, don't wish any of you
to have any trouble, hope nobody
will feel bad towards me, II | have
done wrong, II anyone mere among
you told lies against me that convict
ed me, I forgive them. | don't think
wrong OF any one of you for convict
ing me, I wish you all the best you
can get In this life, for 1t is short.
My life hasn't been very much"
Shevie paused and his glance wan
dered over the crowd, as IL a mental
struggle were on as to the advisable
lity Of making some statement. Then