JESTING AT DEATH

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 January 1928, Page 5

JESTING AT DEATH

LAST GAME OF CARDS

CONDEMNED MEN’S DEMEANOUR

PREPARING FOR, EXECUTION

•lY CABLE—PRES 3 ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, Jan. 27.

The emotional .scenes ot praying hymn-singing crowds around the Card:,, gaol, with the hysterical cries of fainting women, provided a sharp contrast to- the last Hours of the condemned men.

The authorities were, amazed at then calm demeanour, particularly that o! Driscoll, who spent the evening playing cards with the warder. He 'ordered port wine, .saying; ‘Bring me a bottle, it will help me to sleep soundly.” Driscoll grimly jested throughout-the game Both men retired at midnight and slept till the early morning. When Driscoll awakened he raved and stormed at the warders for more than half an hour, then unexpectedly and candy said: “Well, chaps, what about a last game of cards?” ' He sei»ed the pack and dealt the hands- for a splo whist game which was interrupted by the arrival of the Catholic chaplain and was never completed. Later Driscoll said: “I suppose t-lie poopl-e are queuing up already. They are a curious crowd in Cardiff.” When near the scaffold he asked to be allowed to shake hands with Rowlands. The two gripped and Driscoll turned to a warder saying: “Which rope is mine?”