Gilpin observer., 1905-03-09
Galbraith Executed

Sheriff Cody, who was required by law
to be present at the execution OF Azel
D. Galbraith, who was sentenced from
this county to hang for the murder Of
his wife and child in Russell Gulch, re-
turned Tuesday. The sheriff in speak
ing OF the prisoner said he looked as
strong and healthy as he did while i'm
prisoned in the county Jail in this city.
The years confinement in the peniten-
tiary didn't seem to impair his health in
the least, and the only change noticeable
was in his complexion, which was con-
siderably lighter from being in doors 30
long.
Sheriff Cody left this city very quietly
and unceremoniously Sunday afternoon
upon notification from Warden Cleg-
horn of the penitentiary that the hang
ing would occur on the following even.
ing. He arrived at Canon City in the
afternoon OF the day of the execution.
At 3 o'clock he weLt over to the peni-
tentiary and had talk with GaIbraith
in his cell. The murderer was very much
pleased to see the officer aud said, swell,
Tom, you told me you would come down
to see me before died. 1 see you have
kept your word" He asked if George
Miller, OF Russell Gulch, who had been
east on business trip, had returned.
The sheriff told him he had, returning
the Saturday night previous. Galbraith
said he was glad, as he had writ
ten Mr.. Miller letter few days before
and was satisfied he had received it. The
conversation concluded with the follow
ing remarks from the doomed man: "Re-
member me to the boys md my friends.
Tell them that you saw me and did ex
acty as l said l would" In the latter
sentence he had reference to numerous
assertions he had made at former time
to the effect that he was ready to die
and would meet his death coolly.
Father Robinet Of Denver, formerly OF
Fort Collins, where he had resided sew
eral years ago when Galbraith had lived
there and was engaged in business, was
on the same train that the sheriff took
for Canon City. The reverend gentle
name mission was to intercede if posi-.
BILE in the hanging Of his old-time friend
and acquaintance.
He went to the penitentiary and con-
suited the warden in an endeavor to have
the execution set aside. During the af-
ternoon a message was received from
Governor Adams instructing the warden
to proceed with the hanging according
to previous arrangements, which meant
that Galbraith should pay the penalty
for his dastardly deed that evening at 8
o'clock. When Father Robinet was told
this he became discouraged and lost all
hope of saving the life Of his friend. He
left Canon City for Denver on the after
noon train, not caring to wait and wit
ness the execution.
Shortly before the hour set for the
hanging, Galbraith was taken from the
death cell to the execution house where
he was arranged for the gallows. He
stepped on the trap, and before the cap
was placed over his head, the warden
asked him il he had anything to say.
In cool and easy manner he replied:
81 am going of this earth with no hard
feelings toward any man. No one is to
blame but myself. l brought it all on
myself" Warden Cleghorn placed the
cap over his head, saying, Good bye,
Mr.. Galbraith." Good bye, Mr.. Cleg.
horn" was the response.
Only few seconds elapsed until the
heavy iron weight attached to the other
end Of the rope dropped, jerking the
body OF the murderer up four or five
feet. 1t fell back and hung within three
feet OF the floor, where it remained thirty
minutes before being cut down. Death
was instantaneous, the jerk from the 800
pound weight breaking the neck.
The body WAS inferred in the cemetery
of Canon City the next day, a brother.
in law in Ft. Collins requesting that it
be buried there for the present. 1t will
probably be exhumed before long and
placed in the cemetery in FIT. Collins
where the wife and child OF Galbraith
were buried. The remains OF Galbraith
were placed in the penitentiary lot Of
the city burial grounds.