Execution in Sydney of a Wife Murderer.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 247, 20 October 1886, Page 3

Execution in Sydney of a Wife Murderer.

The execution of Alfred Reynolds for the murder of hia wife, Rhoda Caroline Reynolds, was effected October Sth in the Darlinghurst Gaol, Sydney. Tho sentence of death was received by both the prees and the public aa a just merited punishment for a crime committed in the most cold clooded and heartless manner, and under circunistineea in which provocation was entirely absent. The victim was, according to the sworn evidence of witnesses, a quiet, young woman, and—his wife. On the evening of Thursday, August 13, at about 10 minutea past G, Reynolds eutered his home in Gowrie-street, Newtown, and proceeding to the bedroom, in which his wife was sitting, according to her dying statement, handed her a cup about threeparts tail of opium, mixed with cold water, and bade her drink it, threatening at the same time to cut her throat with a carvingknife, which he held in his hand, if she refused. She asked him what would become of her three little ones, and he replied that he would " fix it." He then lay down on the bed, and she drank the liquid sitting on a chair. He stayed with her for some time ti:l the poison boj. a 1 to take effect, and then left the house. Reeling unconsciousness creeping over her, she had still sufficient strength left to catch up one of her children, and fly to her mother's who lived two doors up the Btreet. She stated that on Sunday she had written a letter at the request of her husband. The polieo mado search for this, and found it in a bag in the kitchen It was written on both sides of a small sheet of paper, and read as follows ;—" August 7. 1886.—1 write this letter to say that I have done very wrong, very badly, and I have deceived my husband, and I have made a lot of trouble which I did not mean to do, but I am very sorry for it. When my friendß know what I

have done, they will know I did not know that I rteant to do it, so I hope to be for. eiven when I am gono. I do it mysel', bjcausa I think it is best that 1 should do it, for I feel very missra&io, and I do not want to causo anyone trouble; and, diar mother, do not fret for ma, OS I w.ll be belter to be dead,; us I may do tilings that I don't mean to do; but God bless yo.i, and forgive me for what I have done. Please to care for my little children. God bless them. Never let them want for anything, and mother, do not blame Alfred for anything I have dono. 80, dear mother, I think it will be best for ms to bo gone. It will bo a happy roleaso for mo to die. So good-bye, aud forgive me all for what I have done. 1 write this without fear or force. (Signed) Sirs Rkynolds." At about 8 45 p.m., whilst tho police wero still in the house, Reynolds camo in, and without porceiviug that anyone elso was present, went up to his wifo, kissed her, and asked her how sho was. Prior to his loaving hor she had —but lot us uso her own words :—" 1 then drank Iho whole of the cantents of tho cup with tho exception ot tho dregs, which 1 refused to drink, a? it was quito thick. Shortly afterward.", finding pains in my stomach, I went and mixed a cup of salt and water and drank the half of it. My husband bocamo angry and I said, ' I will not drink any moro it it m k-3s you cross.' And so with almost her latest utterance, a^snirinj; him she would if've her life rather than " make him cross," the faithful, true-hear(ed wifo crawled to her mother's house and died.

The murdevor was arrested and tried for crime. He made no attempt at defence, pleading guilty, at the outset, of tho murder of hia wifo. In replying to the customary charge, "Have you anything to say why this Court ehould not proceed to pass sentence of death upon you, according to law ?' ho answered simply " No," anil throughout tho hearing of the case manifested little interest in tho proceedings Being risked by the Judge at tho conclusion of Die evidence if he had anything ho wished to cay, ho answered, "No. finish up as soon as you feel disposed. " Tho Judge in eetitonoing tho prisoner paid: So far a? I can learn, you havo nover been a good husband to thi3 unfortunate creature. Her own statement of tho timo when she fled in terror with the shadow of death even then encompassing her, speaks volumes of the life sho led with you. It is almost inconceivable that, a man should be guilty of tho cruelty which this case disclosed. With every circumstance of premeditation, with every circumstance af cruelty, you have taken away the lifs of this poor creature to whom you had only baon married six or seven year.?, and who had borne you no less than four children, while she carried in her arms a baby only eight cr nine weeks of age. M seen 1 that in this world no mercy can bo Bhown to you. In r. gard for the protection of society and the vindication ot an outrage on tho law, I shall say no more. Ido hope there will be some influence brought to bear on you, that God'a grace may oporatn'on your heart even at the last, to turn you to seek forgiveness and pardon whero alone you must aek it.' 1

The prisoner's general conduct while in the condomned cell has been that of a truly repentant man, and Canon Rich spoke with'the utmost satisfaction of his earnost and anxious seeking after forgiveness where alono it could be found. Some of his mates, men with whom he had at t'me3 worked, were also allowed to see him ; and upon these man he impressed tho necjtsity of carefully guarding againßt ever giving way to temper, which, ho alleged, was the prime cause of his committing the crime. During tho whole of his stay in Darlinghurst, he has been occupied in reading and prayer and fl;eping, and we have the assurance of his spiritual adviser that he died sincerely penitent and firm in tbe hope for forgiveness hereafter. Ho had asked in tho cell that there might be no delay, and acting upon his wish tbe utmost dispatch was used in tho exocution.

The hangman, Howard,allowed a drop of 6 ft, having calculated this sufficient to effect the necessary severing of the spinal cord in the case of a man of Reynold's weight. There was not the slightest convulsion or struggle—not even a tremor of the frame perceptible. At eight minutes past 9 Alfred Reynolds was dead. Death was instantaneous, and at the inquest held at 9.30 it was found that his neck bad been broken in two places.