Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-03-21
SENTENCE GRUBER
TO HANG MAY 70
Stoical Indifference Stays With
Prisoner Through Ordeal


the morning of Friday, May co.,
we're the words that fell upon the
ear Of the prisoner, Fred Gruber, and
the large crowd that filled the court
room at 10 o'clock this morning
when Judge Dunn pronounced SEN
tence upon the young man who was
last week convicted OF murder in the
first degree by a jury of twelve
men, who deliberated but twenty
eight minutes at the close OF trial
lasting little more than a week.
:. Court Room Crowded.
Eager to see the prisoner again
and to listen to the words of the
judge, the court room was filled with
men and women for some time be-
fore the hour set for the condemned
man to be brought in, and as he
made his appearance all eyes were
turned upon him and death still
ness prevailed over the vast crowd.
In a manner which would have
melted the heart of almost any per-
son, the judge gave a talk to the
prisoner preceding the sentence
which should have touched his feel
ings, but it did not, and the words
were lost, so far as could be seen,
upon the prisoner. Gruber stood in
front of the bar, with face set upon
the speaker, but never moved, or
changed color in countenanee in any
degree, during Judge Dunn's re-
marks OF at the time of sentence.
Judge Dunn's Remarks.
In brief the judge said; During
the entire trial through which you
have just passed and also when the
verdict was returned you showed not
the slightest signs of interest and
proved to all that you were hardened
beyond expression. You are soon to
be ushered into a higher court and
advise you to prepare for it, as it is
not too late You are young man
and are soon to meet death. Think
well over the matter and arrange
your plans accordingly"
When questioned as to whether or
not he knew of any reason why sem
tence should not be imposed upon
him, he replied, Il do not" Not an
other word was spoken by the pris-
oner as he stood straight, with hands
hanging by his side, while the words
| of sentence were being pronounced,
which condemned him to death by
hanging.
After sentence had been pronoune-
ed the prisoner turned quickly to the
left and with the officers passed from
the room. Upon reaching the sheT-
i IFS Office the prisoner laughingly re-
marked that "the judge was little
shaky. wasn't he" at the same time
lighting a cigarette. He bore the
same indifference that has been char
aeteristic of his conduct all along,
and upon reaching the jail he was
placed in his cell, where he will be
kept closely guarded until he is TAX
en- to Boise, and placed in the peni-
Tertiary awaiting the day when. he
will meet death.
Never in the history of northern
Idaho has there been such a remark
able character before the bar in the
district court as the defendant in
this case. Gruber has faced the en-
tire trial without apparently any
| concern in the matter, and in going
from the court house to the county
jail this morning he wondered how
the people would take the new trial,
speaking as though he was going to
be given another chance for life. He
was then informed that his chances
for another trial were indeed slim
and that he had better make his
peace for the next world. to which
he remarked, "oh, we'll. that's all
right"
Makes Hangman's Knot.
A few days after the jury had
brought in the verdict Of guilty.
Gruber got hold of a small piece OF
rope and in a laughing, slurring man
ner made a hangman's loop, and sus-
pended it from the top OF his cell
directly over his cot. and several
times within the hour that it hanged
there he said to his prisoner asso-
ciates, how does that look, boys.
great thing, eh?"
During the hours of the day Grub
| er laughs and talks freely and makes