The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-07-17

lOc JHlUe NuSSVSb s>"'
ert Scott in Chicago, had re-
ccivcd the following telegram
from Robert SCOTT: "Am on my
way to Chicago dad. to give my
self up. Have wired authorities.
Robert"
Chicago. July H.. P)-HusSell
Scott. aO.ycar-old crstwhilc Canadian
finanrier, writer Of books on business
ethics. bootlegger and robber. VIII"
was sentenced TO be hanged ut e a. m.
for the murder Of a drug store clerk
in n holdup, this morning received a
one weeks reprieve from Governor
Small.
News Of the reprieve. coming less
than six hours, from the time scott
was scheduled to walk upon the gal
lows, found the condemned man play
ing cards in the death cell with his
two guards.
"Thank God for that" were his
first words when he was informed of
the news. The cards dropped ner-
vously from his hands as his shoul-
ders slumped, and tears came to his
eyes.
,"How is Mrs. Scott?" he asked
next, and informed that she was bear
ing up we'll. ne added. "Well, that's
all, boys. ! cant talk now.
Telegram Causes Delay
The reprieve came following u mes
sage to the governors office at
Springfield from a man in Detroit
who signed himself Robert Scott, and
who said that he was the actual
slayer and would surrender. Robert
Scott. Russell SCOTS brother, was
indicted with Russell for the staying
but was never apprehended. Russell
Scott first pleaded guilty and then,
after the court indicated 1T would
sentence him to death. changed his
plea TO not guilty. and at his trial
claimed that his brother. Robert. had
fired the shot that killed Joseph
Maurer. drug clerk, during the holdup
Of drug store across from the City
Hall in April, 1924.
After the action of the governor,
who was on vacation and whose sec
retary communicated with him at an
unknown place after receipt Of the
Detroit telegram, a messenger was
dispatched by train from Springfield
to Chicago at 1920 o'clock this morn
ing.
Execution All Arranged
Sheriff Peter NJ. Hoffman. who had
completed all arrangements for the
, execution, said that after receipt OF
word from the governors office mt
Springfield, he will await the arrival
of the messenger with the official
papers.
Scott's latest escape from the gal
lows with only few hours separating
him and death, was likewise his mar
rowest. When he entered olea OF
guilty, his attorney burst into tears
and pleaded for mercy when the court
prepared to sentence. After being
granted new trial and found guilty
and being sentenced to death, Scott
received several reprieves pending
the carrying of his case to the SUI
preme court which failed to inter,
fere.
Since he was sentenced to die. his
father, Thomas Scott, his wife, Mrs
Catherine Scott, and business asso.
ciates in Windsor. Ont, where Scott
at one time headed gigantic bridge
venture, made desperate efforts ia
save his life. Yesterday Scott
father and wife spent all day and par,
of the night trying vainly to reach
the governor while Windsor friends
of Scott sent an appeal to President
| Coolidge.
Wife Bids Him Farewell
Last night Mrs. Scott bade her hus.
band farewell in the death cell and
he gave her pictures of their three
children. the eldest Of which, Robert
would have celebrated his seventh
birthday, on the day his father was
hanged, had Scott gone to the gallows
this morning. Shortly after III o'clock
last night. and just few minutes
before Scott received word of his re-
prieve, his aged father bade Scott
farewell in the death cell. As his
father was leaving, Scott asked that
the following inscription be placed or
his tombstone:
Murdered by the state Of Illinois.
The father agreed to what was
then believed to be his last wish.
GOPHER COST S2O0O