Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-09-09
DOES WORK
OF SHERIFF
Martin zidmair Cheats the Gallows
by Hanging Hmeslf on the
Eve Of Execution.
WORK WAS QUIETLY DONE
Guard, Who Was but a few Feet
Away, Knew Nothing Of What
Was Going on in the Cell.

'iN carly noluiHE HOuIS MdTtlN Llu-
mair. the condemned murdered. who
was to have been legally hanged in
the Jail yard in this city tomorrow
morning, committed suicide in his
cell.
1t is believed that he took his life
about 5 O'Clock this morning and so
well did he lay his plans and so quiet
ly did he execute them that his death
watch, but few feet away. never
knew the exact time OF his taking off.
In taking his life, Zidmair used n
strap by which he hanged himself
from the top of his cell. Where he Sc
cured the strap is a mystery. It was
recognized as having hung in the jail
kitchen for several months. but was
never in a position where Zidmair
could have taken II.
Zidmair was in his usual good spir-
its last night and was talking to his
death watch and officers at the Jail
as late as | o'clock this morning. No
one had the least idea that he con-
templated taking his life. At that time
he must of had the strap secreted
about his person. BY some familiar
with the situation it is believed he
had been in possession of the strap
for several days and that when he
learned that the governor would not
interfere he decided to take his life
at the first opportunity gwen.
Geo. Lowe, the death watch, who
was on duty at the time. believes that
Zidmair hanged himself about )
o'clock this morning, at that time he
left the door of the cell to build fire
in the kitchen stove. which was but
few feet from the cell. He was there
but a few minutes and when he re-
turned he discovered Zidmair hang
ing from the top of the cell. He i'm
mediately notified Percy Robertson,
the officer in charge OF the Jail. and
together they cut the body down, but
life was extinct. The strap that Zid.
mair used was about five feet long
and had a strong buckle at one end.
This he placed twice ABOUT his neck
and buckled tight he then stood on a
sink that was in his cell. placed the
loop over a hook at the top and then
swung off.
which he fastened the strap has been
used to hold the cord of an electric
light. The cell occupied by Zidmair
was just off from the jail kitchen. and
it is believed that he secured the
strap by reaching through the bars
of his cell on the floor. where ii had
probably fallen.
Under Sheriff Bellar visited the Jail
at | o'clock and brought Zidmair a
quantity of fruit. The condemned man
thanked the officer for his thoughtful
ness. and after bidding him good
night, stretched out on his cot as II
to sleep Several times after this. the
death watch peered into the darken-
ed cell and each time found his
charge apparently sleeping. About B
o'clock he went TO the stove to renew
the fire and on returning he again
peered into the cell and then discov-
cred the body of Zidmair swinging
back and forth from a strap.
Evidently Zidmair suffered little for
on taking him down his face was calm
and natural. No signs of suffering was
apparent on his face. The strap left
dark mark entirely about his neck.
Aside from this. no injury was Wis
ible An inquest will be held at the
Kreiger undertaking apartments to-
morrow at 10 o'clock.
Sheriff Robertson was out OF the
city on an official trip last night, but
returned this afternoon. He is natur-
ally much put out over the affair, but
little blame can be attached TO any
one as the accommodations of the
county Jail are not suitable for the
caring of desperate criminals.
IL is believed that Zidmair had in
mind the taking of his life ever since
he was incarcerated That he had
planned to do so in the event the case
went against him. there Is little
doubt. He was a quiet, but neverthe-
less. a desperate man. who would stop
al nothing to accomplish his ends.
Long before Weidenbauer told OF the
murder of Reder. Zidmair frequently
said that If his crime became known
he would take his life. and from the
scene enacted in the county jail this
morning he meant what he said. Day
after day Zidmair would get up on the
narrow edge of his bath tub. which
was in his cell. and sing his yodel
songs. He contended that he did 1t
for exercise, but II is now believed
that he was simply making an effort
TO throw the officers off until the time
came for him to carry out his plan.
C. 7. Monroe. Zidmair's son-in-law
has been notified Of the suicide and
states that he will take charge OF the
remains after the inquest tomorrow
It is said that in case Zidmair had
allowed the matter TO take the regu
lar course an appeal would have been
taken before 8 o'clock this afternoon
and at least the date OF his execution
would have been postponed. The. no
tice of appeal had been prepared and
IL was the intentions OF his attorneys
Smith & Stockton, 10 make arrange
ments with his relatives to ile II this
afternoon.
THE BIG MAN OF RUSSIA.