This week in 1904

“No, I have nothing to say except that I am sorry and that I hope all my friends will profit by my experience. Good-bye friends, good-bye all. God bless you all.”

— James Martin, convicted of murder, hanging, Montana.
Executed February 23, 1904

Martin refused to tell the press his real name to keep his family from finding out that he was a murderer. Before his execution, Martin had his lawyer write a letter to his father that said that he was serving a brief sentence in jail but he was sick and not expected to survive. After the execution, it was revealed that Martin’s family had known for some time of his situation and that prison authorities had decided not to tell him so as to spare his feelings.