Execution of Martin Curtin.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2161, 6 February 1877, Page 2

Execution of Martin Curtin.

His Hopes of Reprieve

DUKI-.0 the time that the petition in favour of a reprieve was in course of signature, Curtin was encouraged with hopes ola commutation of his sentence, but from the time that the unfavourable reply was communicated to him he resigned all hope, and prepared for his impending fate. Ife made over his entire property to his sister, Mrs. Canny, who since the trial, had been most assiduous in her attentions to her unhappy brother, and had exerted herself to the utmost to procure a mitigation of the sentence of death, llappilv the attempts of Messrs Macfarlane, and Swanson were never communicated to Curtin, strict injunctions having been given by Mr. O'Brien, Governor of the gaol, to the two warders who watched Curtin day and night to prevent any reference to the matter, and such of the condemned man's friends avlio visited him were specially admonished to observe absolute silence on the point. The result AA-as that Ciirtin's last hours were not disturbed by any illusory hopes of pardon, and he was left to complete that preparation for a future state which had been going on under the solicitous ministrations of the clergymen of his denomination. But yesterday, a singular occurrence took place. Curtin, on awaking in the morning, told one of the warders who had watched him during the night that he had A Strange DreamHe had dreamt that some further attempts were being made to secure n pardon, that the dream had made a strong-impression on his mind, and he wished to know what was being done outside. The warder, however, bade him attach no importance to such impressions, but to resign himself to death. This fact is somewhat singular, but the probable explanation is that one of Ciirtin's friends had contrived in some way to drop him a hint of the action about to be taken by Messrs. Macfarlane and Swanson.

Cm-tin's Last Hours.

The warders state that Curtin was very quiet during bis confinement, and gave less trouble than any other prisoner they had ever seen under sentence of death. He was allowed any reasonable refreshment he desired, but he contented himself Avith little, took no stimulants, and ate plain food. He slept soundly during the last two or three nights.

His Account of The Murder

In conversation -with the warders as to the manner of Shanaghan's death, he adhered closely to the account he had given from the first. He said that on the day in question Shanaghan came on his farm, bavin his hand a piece of lance-wood that be must have picked up as he came along. He came up to Curtin, and inquired where his pig was. Curtin replied that he did not know. Shanaghan then said " come and sec me burn down your house." Curtin further said that he then placed himself in Shanaghan's path, having in his hand a piece of (i tree sapling, which he had used Avhile driving his cattle ; that sonic " fencing" then took place, and they commenced to strike each other, Shanaghan being struck down. The remainder of Ciirtin's statement tallied with that made at the trial, and since repeated on frequent occasions. In further conversation, Curtin said he did not blame the people of

Auckland for their coudeuiuat-Oli of him, but he considered that the jury ought to have returned a verdict of "manslaughter," instead of " wilful murder." lie admitted that he deserved punishment for the crime, but not capital punishment. He was asked whether he bad any complaint to make respecting his treatment by the Press, and replied that the main facts given in the newspapers were true, and he did not blame the writers for anything that appeared against him, as they could havo no personal ill-feelings toAVards him, and Avere merely doing what they believed to be their duty in recording all"tbe circumstances for public information. With reference to the sticks, Curtin told one of the gaolers that if accompanied by a policeman to Ararimu, he Avould be able to point out the place 'where the sticks were left after the light.

PBEPABATIONS FOR DEATH.

Curtin took leave of his sister last evening at half-past seven o'clock, and the scene between them is described as Aery dis-

tress ing

Mr Hoar, another friend, also bade him farewell about the same time. "* Curtin went to sleep at about half-past twelve o'clock, instructing warder Maddi-j gan to call him early. He had eaten his' supper as usual. He slept soundly until about four o'clock, whan the Avar-; dcr awoke him as requested. Curtin declined to take breakfast, and contented himself with a cup of tea. At about twenty minutes to six o'clock the Rev. Father Walter McDonald arrived at the gaol, and was conducted to the Penal establishment where Curtin aa-us confined. From that time until seven o'clock the rev. gentleman did all in bis power to prepare the unhappy man for death, by spiritual counsel autl prayer.

Shortly before seven o'clock there Avere about thirty persons assembled in the outer yard of the gaol near the office of the governor, amongst those present being Col. Haultain, Sheriff; Major Green, late acting Sheriff;' Dr. Philson, Surgeon of the Provincial District of Auckland ; Sub-Inspector Pardy in charge of a detachment of six constables Avithout arms, the gaol officials, a feAV of the public who had been admitted to Avitness the execution, and the representatives of the press.

At this time the sounds of prayer could be beard proceeding from tbe interior of the Penal department. The countenances of those assembled in the yard avoic a grave expression, and Avords Avere exchanged only in an undertone.

After a few m'nutcs' Availing, the hands oi the clock in the oilice of the governor of the Gaol indicated the hour of seven. Ml-. O'Brien, after exchanging a few Avords Avith the Sheriff, walked to the door of the penal establishment, about five or six yards away, and intimated to the warder on sentry at the outer door that the hour had come. Shortly afterwards Father Walter McDonald', arrayed in the surplice and stole, and bearing in his hand a crucilix, appeared at the door, closely followed by Curtin, avlio Avas dressed in the clothes which he Avore Avhen arrested. He was bareheaded, and held his brown felt hat in his right hand. He looked someAvhat pale, but Avas calm and collected, and he took a brief survey of the persons assembled outside, and then submitted himself to the operation of biudin»' The irons Avere struck off'by the gaoloiyuu. then the executioner appeared Avith a piece of black crape over his face, and bearing the cords with winch to pinion the condemned man. The executioner, on approaching Curtin, utterred the Avoids " Good monv ing," to Avliich Curtin replied Avith the same salutation. Thou the local Calcraft set about his business, in evident haste to get it oyer. He was singularly nervous °in passing the cords round the arms and body of Curtin, and drew them thdit Avith some degree of roughness. At this point Curtin turned his head to the executioner and said quietly " keep cool, man take it coolly." The operation of pinioning occupied but a moment, A long white canvas cup was then placed on Ciirtin's head, and he moved forward, Father Mc Donald preceding him with the crucifix held aloft before his eyes. As the party moved onward to the scene of execution the spectators formed into a kind of procession and followed. Inside the huge van! the ' police avo re drawn up in line niu>.._i.n th . scaffold under Sub-Inspector Par.lv"and the wu-dsw weav then under tho govgowft