DOUBLE EXECUTION IN QUEENSLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 146, 23 June 1887, Page 8

DOUBLE EXECUTION IN QUEENSLAND.

A Woman Hung.

Engrossing interest in the execution of Ellen Thompson and her paramour, John "■"■ 'rrison, condemned for the murder of W.n. Thompson, the husband of the former, wus manifested to-day by public no'ice, and by the press reports of the circumstances of the case. Few. spectators besides the officials and the newspaper representatives were found inside the gaol walls, South Brisbane, at 8 o'clock, when the condemned were brought, from their tells to' meet their doom, notwithstanding the fact of Mrs Thompson being the. first "female ever hung in Queensland. It is ?known that the unfortunate woman expected to raise a loud cry of public sympathy, but she was disappointed. She behaved .calmly upon the scailokl, and seemed resigned to fate, though protesting; against the injustice of her punishment ana denouncing the Governor and the Executive for " their murder of an woman." Before the noose wasadjustedshe harangued the onlookers briefly, saying, "Good-bye to 'everybody. I forgive everybody from the bottom of my heart for anything they have wronged me in this world. I never shot my husband, and I am dying like an angel." With her last words sho commended the priest to take care of her children. The drop left the body dangling lifeless, bub blood stained tbe cap and; dress, trickling from the severed jugular vein. After 20 minutes had elapsed the secpnd criminal, Harrison, was led dub. He died manfully, confessing his crime, but pleading that the deed had been committed in selfdefence. Death was instantaneous, but blood besmirched the cap and dress from his throat, which had been severed.