EXECUTION OF ELLIS.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 49, 28 February 1905, Page 5

EXECUTION OF ELLIS.

« _ PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE ON THE SCAFFOLD. rfEATII INSTANTANEOUS. James William Ellis, alias John M'Kenzie, was executed at tiio Terrace Gaol at 8 o'clsck this morning, in accordance with the sentence of death passed on him for the murder of Leonard Collinson at To Awaiti on 26th February of last year. Tho weather was fitting for the gloomy drama to be enacted at the prison on the hill, and tho morning broke damp imd grey, ana added a further weight to the depressed spirits of those whose duties necessitated their attendance at the execution of the doomed man. Ever since his eojourn in the condemned cell, which commonced on the pawing of the death sentence, the doomed man maintained a resolute and fearless demeanour, though his mannor was quite frco of defiance. This strange composure sustained him to the last. Yesterday ho was subdued, as was natural in tho circumstances, but he exhibited no signs of distress, agitation, or fear, and ho ate his food with an ordinary appetite. During the ovening he road somo books that liad been left in his cell, ana smoked somo cigarettes. Shortly after 10 o'clock he was given come whiisky and water, and at 11 o'clock lie was sleeping his last sleep on earth. Ho slept soundly; so soundly, in fact, that at 7 o'clock ho hud to be roused by tho warder. Ho was even then— with only one more hour of life before him— singularly calm, but he evidently realised the hopeless nature of his position, and liad apparently resolved to submit to tho inevitable. He was visited by Mr. P. Garvey (Governor of the Gaol), Dr. Henry (the Gaol Surgeon), and tho Roy. G. P. Davys, but he had nothing to say, and no request to make, except for brandy and water. This waa givi-n to him, and ho settled down to wait for tho coming of the hangman. About five minutes before 8 o'clock those on the platform adjoining the scaffold — comprising Drs. Henry and Gilmer, Mr. E. Arnold, J.P., three reporters, and two other visitors — heard the procession approaching, and it came into sight headed by the Sheriff, who was followed by Mr. Garvey, and the Rev. Davys, with Kllis following, the rear being brought up by four warders. There are ten steps to the fatal platform, and these tho condemned man, with his arms tightly pinioned, climbed without a falter. Tho hangman, who was, waiting, received him. "Where am I to go?" Ellis auked in a low voice, and was placed in position. Ho was very slightly pale, but alert and quite calm and unperturbed. With hands and arms pinioned, he looked round, and smiled and whispered good-bye to Mr. Arnold, who has paid him frequent visite in his cell. Just beforo Long pulled tho white capover tho man's head, the Sheriff asked: "Have you anything to say?" The .-eply came, firm and briskly: "Nothing at all. Only that I am innocent. That is all I liavo to say." The cap was then adjusted. Mr. Davys began to read tho burial service, and a moment hitor Ellis had paid the penalty of his crime. Death was instantaneous. The bqdy was left suspended for an hour, and at 9 o'clock Mr. J. Ashcroft, tho City Coroner, arrived, and the formfi inquest was held. Tho Sheriff gave evP denco of his authority to hold tho execution, and of his having witnessed it, and Dr, Henry, who had examined the bod}, testified that death was due to the deceased's neck being broken. A verdict was returned that deceased had, in due course of law, been executed by hanging in tho Terrace Gaol, and had there died. Mr. George Webb was foreman of tho jury. Mr. Garvoy states that ho had been hoping — but hoping against hope — that Ellis would make a confession before being hanged. Ho did not, however, question tho man against his will, and Ellis yesterday expressed the hope that nobody would ask him any questions. Although he made no admissions to tho Governor of the Gaol, his statement on the scaffold was the first protestation of innocence that Air. Garvey heard from him. The condemned man was visitca yesterday by Mr. T. M. Wilford, who defended him in Ins trial for the mm-der. Tho scono of the execution, which is in the yard of the prison, was screened by means, ot high tarpaulins from all observation from outside. There were people' on the hillside above the gaol who wore evidently endenvouring to catch a glimpse oi tho terrible function. The tarpaulin screen, however, effectually baulked their morbid curiosity. All those who witnessed the execution were required lo sign a declaration beforo leaving, arid no ono was permitted to leave the prison before 9 a.m.