Execution of Mrs Dean.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 38, 13 August 1895, Page 2

Execution of Mrs Dean.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, August 12. Minnie Dean slept for three hours last night. She took no breakfast and only a sip from a glass of spirits given hor by the gaol surgeon. " Don't let them keep me in agony Doctor," were the last words to the surgeoD. She marched from the cells with her arms pinioned behind and up the steps of the scaffold on to the trap door, apparently the most self-possessed of lue dismal procession. She stood hathss and erect facing the West while the hangman adjusted the rope and placed the white cap on her. Then her legs were pinioued, and for the first time the marvellous will power of the woman to a certain extent gave way. She swayed back and forward firmly holding tho warder's hand. After her legs were piuioued, and she had answered the Sheriff's ques tioD, she said, "Oh God let mefiot suffer." The hangman then drew the lever, and all was over. The drop allowed was 7ft 9iu, and the scaffold used was one built for the execi:ti"n of Captain Jarvoy, of Dunedin, who poisoned his wife about a quarter of v century ago. To tho .Rev. Lindsay she. stated that as far as the evidence was concerned her sentonce was justified, but she protested innocence as far as intention and forethought were concerned. The only persons present beside the gaol officers were tho Sheriff, Doctor, Magistrate, and press reporters. Tho body has been claimed by the husband, and will be buried in the Winton cemetery. It is understood Minnie Dean left a written statement, which will be forwarded to Government, placing a dilf jrent aspect on the case from that inferred from tho trial. During tbo execution a boy fell 1 from the roof of a building to the s ground, a distance of thirty feet, fracturing his skull.