Show KEEFER PAYS PENALTY q Hanged at Lander for Murder Mur-der of an Old Man I CRIME WAS COLDBLQODE0 Murderer Spends Last Night on Earth in Slop His Composure Did Not Desert Him and He Died Asserting His Innocence S TRIBUNE SPECIAL Lander Wo Sept 5Jnmes Keefer who murdered old man Warren at Derby some two years ago was hung here this morning in the courthouse jallyard The execution took place at exactly nine minutes aller 10 and the body remained suspended eighteen minutes min-utes Kecfcrs composure did not entirely en-tirely desert him through the ordeal and Jill morning he would remark to visitors visit-ors how strong his nerves were Illus trating1 by rolling cigarettes SLEPT VEUY SOUNDLY Keefer went to bed at 9 oclock last night lie slept soundly arose about o30 this t morning He ute a good breakfast break-fast and seemed to be In good spirits all morning Some time after 9 oclock Rev J Leonard called at the jail and lie and Keefer wore left together Rev Leonard then went outside and Keefer was given an opportunity to bid his friends goodbye Every onoe in u while Keefer would matte some slight remark to those standing near regarding his execution lie culled the attention of Jailer Axe and after rolling a cigarette with great steadiness said Well Axe Ill beat you first to a better country hen words of sympathy were offered lie would simply shake his head MARCH JO THE GALL VS Promptly at 10 oclock Keefer was brought down from his cell under strong guard Jailer Axe and Sheriff Slough on either fide both healy armed and led Into the inclosure and UI the steps His legs were strapped nt the knees be was taken to the front of the scaffold and while the straps were being fastened at ills thighs knees and ankles he was asked If be had anything to say He said cleared his throat forced a smile and PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE Good morning gentlemen to those assembled below Then followed n short pause in which Keefers face grew visibly vis-ibly paler and his eyes seemed almost to start from his head Then in short jerks he said CVel boys they are hanging an innocent in-nocent man and all young boys growing grow-ing up when they get on a jury they want to use good judgment next time a case like mine comeS up I will bid everybody goodbye I have no hard feeling against one In this town at all Judge Rramel I think Is a coldblooded murderer The Supreme court and the Governor la i not much betel either Hanging a man that has been Insane four times when a man Is not afraid to die Walt a minute Charlle I am ready to die and not afraid to < die I am all right Let her go boys I hope everything every-thing goes smooth TRAP FALLS The Deputy Sheriff Axe then said All right Tim and the prisoner answered an-swered Yes sir and the two men stepped from his side and Sheriff Slough cut the rope The prisoners hands clenched tluhtly while the black cap was being adjusted and as the trap t fell he swooned backwards his feet sliding off in advance of his body He died without motion or frown and the heartbeat heart-beat faintly for some time after At 10i Doctors Welly Godfred Callaway and Gadget pronounced him dead and ane he was cut down and placed In the coffin cof-fin An autopsy was held immediately and the brain was found In normal condition ane dition The body will be burled in the potters field |