THE LAST OF MINNIE DEAN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9210, 13 August 1895, Page 4

THE LAST OF MINNIE DEAN.

(PER PRESS .ASSOCIATION.) Invercargill, August 12. Mra Dean was executed at 8 o'clock this morning. She walked firmly to the soaffold, and in reply to the Sheriff Bhe had nothing to cay, with tbe exception that she waa innocent. Death was instantaneous. Hundreds assembled oatBida the gaol. She slept three hours and had no breakfast. Minnie Dean alept for three hours laßt night. She took no breakfast and only ft sip from a glass of spirits given by the gaol surgeon. v Don't let them keep me in agony, doctor," were her last parting words to the surgeon. She marched from the cell with her arms pinioned behind and up to the steps of the scaffold on to the trap door, apparently the moat salfpoßseased of the dismal procession. She stood hatleßS and erect, facing west, while the hangman adjusted the rope and placed a white cap ou her head. Her lega were pinioned for the firot time. The marvellous will power of the woman to a certain extent gave war. She swayed back aad forward holding firmly the warder's hand. Af:er har leg 3 were pinioned and she had answered tho Sheriffs question Bhe said ♦• Oh God, let me not suffer." The hangman then drew the lever and all waa over. The drop allowed wa% 7ft 9in and the acaffold used waa one built for the execution of Ciptain Jarvla of Dunedin, who poisoned bis wife about a quarter of a century a^o. To the Ray. Mr Lindsay the prisoner stated that as far aa the evidence waa concerned the) j sentence waa justified, but she proteaferl her lanocencu as regards Intention and forethought The only persona present at the execution besides tbe gnol officer) were the Sheriff, doctor Magistrates, and the pr?BB reporters The brfdy haa been claimed by hei- huabind and will be burled in Win 'on cemetery. It la understood that Minnie Dean left a written statement, which wilL b % n forwarded t . Government, placing a d fierent aspect »n the case from that Inferred (rom the tr a. ' Daring the execution a boy fell from the roff of the building to the ground, a distince of 30ft, fracturing hla skull.