THE CONDEMNED BURGLARS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8817, 12 June 1894, Page 5

THE CONDEMNED BURGLARS.

A MISMANAGED EXECUTION. SYDNEY, June 4. The execution of the condemned burglars Montgomery and Williams did not pass off without a slight hitch. The men passed a tolerably peaceful night, but were awake early. Montgomery was killed inst&ntaneously, but Williams was not. While the hangmau was adjusting the rope round his neck the condemned man fainted, and he had to be supported by the hangman, who put his hand upon VFilliaois's shoulder. Williams, however, fell slightly backwards, and as he did so he extended his left arm from the elbow, evidently with the intention of preventing himself from falling. As he fell beneath the drop the rope became entangled voder his elbow, and he fell sideways, his feet knocking against Montgomery. He remained for a few moments in this position, but the assistant hangman shook the rope until the body was suspended in an upright position. There were some slight movements observable, but they did not last long, and in a few seconds "the man died from suffocation. It appears that one rope was much shorter than the other, and it was intended that Williams should be hanged by the longer rope, and Montgomery by the shorter. By some mistake, however, the positions of the men were reversed. Late on the night before the execution Montgomery made a request to the Sheriff to be allowed to have a chat with Williams. Alter a consultation with the Premier this was permitted, on Montgomery pledging himself not to lose his temper with Williams. The men chatted together for about half-an-hour, discussing the facts of the crime. Williams denied that he had betrayed Montgomery, but complained that Montgomery ought not to have led him into the affair, knowing him to be a younger man and married. As the men parted Montgomery remarked, " Well, we die together to-morrow," and Williams replied, -'Yes, I suppose we shall meet again." "1 think so," said Montgomery; and Williams, turning to his companion in crime, said " You should not say ' $ think so,' you should be sure."