Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1905-05-09
The Slayer of young Homer Ward
Was Hanged at White Sulphur
Springs on May 5.
CONDEMNED MAN DISPLAYS NERVE
Walked to His Death Without the
Least Sign Of Nervousness
Stated He Was Innocent.

White Sulphur Springs, May s.
Herbert Metzger was hanged at 3
O'Clock this afternoon for the murder
Of Homer Ward last Thanksgiving
day. Metzger's body was jerked high
into the air, and his neck was broken
by the fall. Death ensuing IL 1-2
minutes later. 1t was one of the
most successful executions ever con
Quoted in the state, according to the
visiting sheritfs, among whom were
Quinn of Silver Bow county, Hogan
of Cascade, Falang of Sweet Grass,
Mullen of Broadwater and Graham of
MisSoula.
Within half an hour after DR.. j..
A. kumpe had pronounced Metzger
dead, the remains Of the murderer
had been buried. Metzger awakened
from sleep to 60 to the gallows.
Until early this morning the doomed
man was entertained in the county
Jail, songs and recitations being part
Of the program calculated to make
the murderer's last hours on earth as
pleasant as possible, and when
Metzger retired he slept soundy
until it was time for Sheriff Charles
H. Shannon to awaken him for the
reading Of the death warrant.
Metzger displayed remarkable
| ne "a hn lnC nnn1, l,p
scaffold apparently affecting him nc
more than an after dinner stroll.
He betrayed some interest in the
mechanism OF the instrument of
death, and his face flushed somewhat
as he shot an upward glance at the
grim moose hanging over MIN, but
there was no sign of weakness.
Up to the moment when the black
cap shut out the light forever, Metz
gers desire seemed to be to impress
those about him with his assertion
that he was innocent Of the crime for
which his life was the penalty.
He wanted the newspapers to pub
lish his side of the story, which was
contained in sealed letter which he
gave to the reporter when the march
to the gallows began.
Little opportunity was given Metz
ger to make prolonged talk on the
gallows, and when Deputy Sheriff
George Williams had adjusted the
moose, the cap was quickly drawn
over the mans face and almost before
the crowd was aware the signal was
given by Sheriff Sherman and the 300
pound weight fell with a sickening
thud as the doomed mans body was
jerked in the air distance of about
feet, there was slight twitching
of the muscles after the body had
settled back, but no other outward
signs Of the mans death struggle.
After Metzger had been pronounced
dead, plain pine coffin was showed
under the suspended corpse, the rope
cut and the remains permitted to fall
into the casket. The coffin was at
once taken to the cemetery and in
tered.
Metzger maintained his composure
to the last. This morning he ate
a good breakfast, and at noon he also
ate substantial meal. He was visit
ed early in the day by local minis
ter, with whom he talked for some
time, but he showed no inclination of
accepting the religious consolation
offered or of feeling contrite for his
crime. Up to the last he maintained
his innocence, and said just before
going to the gallows that he had no
one to blame but himself for today's
work, which had been brought about
by his fool talk.
In the statement which he desired
published Metzger claims that he
is innocent of the murder of Homer
Ward, but that he is the victim Of
circumstances, which made the cir
cumstantial evidence against him
appear very strong.