EXECUTION OF PHILPOTT.
THE CONDEMNED MAN MEETS HIS
FATE CALMLY.
ADMITS HAYING MURDERED
HAWTHORNE
(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)
WELLINGTON, this day. Frank Philpott, alias Stanhope, was hanged at the. Terrace Gaol at eight o'clock this morning for the murder of his mate, Ernest Alfred Hawthorne, at Silverstream, on September 7th last-
The convict slept soundly from 1 o.m. till 5.30 a.m., and was watched all night by the warders in turn.
After rising Philpott had ha 1*? an hour's exercise and took a light breakfast.
There were present at the final scene the sheriff and the head gaoler, the Rev. C. Dallaston, of the Baptist Church, who had been in constant attendance on the convict, Messrs E. 'Arnold and J. P. Willeston (visiting' I justice), Mr Richardson (chief clerk of the Prisons Department), Dr. Teare (the prison doctor), Mr Sayers, and members of the press. Constables were stationed on the hills above, the gaol to prevent spectators gathering, but few were present, and in any case they could have seen nothing, as the scaffold was surrounded by high screens. When the official procession reached the scaffold the Rev. Dalleston asked Philpott whether there was anything he would like to say. The condemned man, in a voice on the whole firm, but betraying some signs of emotion, said he had acknowledged and confessed his sin in the face of God. He had confessed to the Rev. Mr Dalleston and to Mr Garvey, | the gaoler, and had given them power to make his confession public. He. thanked the gaol officials for their extreme kindness to him, and wished everyone good-bye. Long, the executioner, then arranged the rope and Philpott stood firm. There was a slight increase of colour in his face, and it was evident that he keenly realised his position; I but he showed no signs of breaking I clown, and met. his fate manfully.
The executioner, curiously; forgot to draw the cap till he was reminded of his neglect by the gaoler, and as he stepped forward to do so Philpott closed his eves.
When the drop fell death was instantaneous. There was no struggle, and no movement of the body.
As soon as it was cut down a jury was empannelled, and a formal verdict was returned.
The remains will be buried this afternoon at Karori Cemetery.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 69, 23 March 1898, Page 5
Word Count
387EXECUTION OF PHILPOTT. Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 69, 23 March 1898, Page 5
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