EXECUTION OF A WOMAN.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7262, 23 January 1889, Page 5

EXECUTION OF A WOMAN.

PAINFUL SCENE.

[FROM OUB COBJIESK)KnEKT.]

[By Teleokaph from the Bluff. 1

SYDNEY, January 17.

Louisa Collins, who was condemned to death for the murder of her husband, Michael Peter Collins, by poisoning at Botany in July last, was executed in Darlinghurst Gaol, Sydney, on the morning of the 10th inst. The strictest possible privacy was observed, and only those whose presence was regarded as absolutely necessary were allowed to witness the execution. This had been fixed for nine o'clock, and a few minutes after that hour the condemned woman, attended by Canon Rich and two female warders, was conducted to the scaffold. She walked slowly, but firmly, with her head downcast, and passed through the terrible ordeal without the slightest sign of weakness or emotion. No time was lost in fixing the white cap over her head, the prisoner assisting the executioner in the operation, but after everything was in readiness for the drop, the bolt fixing of the trap door could not be released, and a mallet had to be procured and used. After fully one minute's delay the platform opened and the body fell. The drop allowed for was 6ft, and this proved more than sufficient to effect the purpose intended, as not only was death caused instantaneously, but the neck was torn ana the windpipe severed. Canon Rich, who had attended prisoner daily sinoe her condemnation, states that she fully recognised her awful position,.and always expressed her preparedness for and resignation to her fate. When asked if she had made any confession the chaplain replied "she has confessed her sins to Almighty God, and has supplicated for forgiveness." Throughout the last few days she has shown great courage, which did not desert her in her last hour.