The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1904-01-27
EXECUTION OF PLEASANT
ARMSTRONG is SENSA-
TIONAL IN MANNER
OF NERVE.
Kills His Sweetheart in Fit of
Jealousy ard Repents and Says
He Will Meet Her Again
-Confesses to the
Crime,

Urine.
B ker City, Jan. 22.-The' first
legal execution in Baker county
took place at I O'Clock this morn
ing in the court yard, Sheriff Brown
and his deputies being the execu-
tioners, Peasant Armstrong the
criminal.
All during the night the con-
demned man, whose crime is we'll
known to the community. enter.
tanned bis friends and two brothers
in his cell. He did rot sleep much.
because Of receiving 30 much COM
pany. He played for some time on
bis violin and seemed cheerful.
Father Olivetti spent most of the
night with him and during the
latter part, towards morning, they
were alone. At $3.50 o'clock this
| morning, Armstrong washed and
i dressing himself carefully in a suit
of black, ate a hearty breakfast Of
broiled ham and omelette, potatoes,
bread and coffse.
Shortly after 6 o'clock the invited
witnesses to the execution began to
gather in the court house square
and by half past six 500 stood in
front of the gallows inside of the
high board enclosure. Sheriff
Brown and deputies Hemple, Lach-
ner and Snow, had all arrange.
ments made to perfection.
Docto's Mcdaniel and Curry
of Baker City Brock Of
Sumpter, Grant of Harney and
Francis of Haines were SUNNI oned
officially to judge of the death.
Newspaper men and reporters
representing all the local papers and
the Portland and San Francisco pa.
pers were given portion inside
the wire. A few minutes before Z
O'Clock Sheriff Brown led Arm.
strong from his cell and as he
passed through the Jail he shook
hands with his fellow prisoners and
attendants and said: "Good-bye,
boys, l will meet you in another
world" The procession formed and
marched through the rear of the
ljail, Sheriff Brown and Deputies
Snow and Lachner leading, the
condemned man with the priest
coming next, Deputy Hempls and
number of assistants bringing up
the rear.
Alone and unaided, Armstrong
stepped lightly up the scaffold stairs
and took his position facing the
crowd, with Father Oilivetti at his
side.
The priest invoked the bles sings
of the Deity upon the repentart
criminal, and after reading the
death warrant when Sheriff Browr
asked Armstrong it he had anything
to say, the slayer Of Minnie Eos
minger, standing erect facing The
+ light o. the bresk skirg day, 10 a cleal
: voice made quite lengthy speech
: holding in his hand before him s
icruci6x.
"You all zee the world. This
: cross is the other world. 1t is {
symbol of love, love for father
: mother, children and friends.
: had a sweet girl once whom / lovec
Minnie Ensminger. I took hel
{ life, and I stand ready to die for tn,
: crime. Minnie Ensminger in thu
: other world knows l was not re-
sponsible for the crime. Low,
s prove all natures. I have prayed
s day and night and 1 die in the state
: of Christ and in the spirit of thu
. true church. sincerely. repent o
s all my sins, especially of the grea
crime for which I suffer. I hum
bly, trust in infinite mercy o
Christ, my savior, who died for me
: Into Thy hands, oh Lord, 1 com
: mend my spirit. ;"
As the sheriff adjusted the noos
and black cap Armstrong cried out
"Did you ever see a brave man?'
s Look at me. I forgive you ALL"
: Two minutes before Z the trap wa
!. sprung and Armstrong; spirit sho
into eternity with scarcely quive
: : of his body. The neck of the exc
S Iecuted criminal was broke instant
( ly and the doctors pronounced tn
body dead in eight minctes.
Armstrong was rs years of ag
last August. His victim was abou
on The daad roon1. hodu -oe +rrn