EXECUTION OF EDWARDS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6912, 16 July 1884, Page 4

EXECUTION OF EDWARDS.

The laßt scene in the Ormondville tragedy, the terrible details of which are doubtless still fresh in the minds of our readers, was enacted at the Napier Gaol yesterday morning. Although the provisions of the law as regards the privacy of the execution were rigorously adhered to, a large number of persona witnessed the carrying out of the sentence froni elevated situations in the neighborhood of the gaol. Since sentence of death, was passed upon him, Edwardß did not appear to have been in the least distressed by the awful position to which his crime had brought him, the warders affirming that up to the last night he was apparently in good spirits. The Eev. De Berdt Hovell was frequently with the condemned man, but all attempts to bring him to a sense of his position were futile. He appeared to be stolidly indifferent both as to the crime he had committed and the ignominious death awaiting him. Among other efforts to move the wretched man it may be mentioned that he was shown letters from his mother and sister at Home, a picture of the home of his youth, and finally a photograph of hirf father's grave, but he remaiued immoveable. On the evening before the execution he did not appear to be so composed as usual, although his imperturbility was still remarkable. He slept for about an hour, and then, waking up, walked restlessly up and down his cell. Some slight refreshment was provided for him, and having partaken of this he again endeavored to sleep, which he did for another hour. In the morning he ate some breakfast, and although deathly pale was perfectly composed. The Revs. Messrs Hovoll and Parkinson were with the condemned man up to the hour of the execution, but Btill Edwards made no Bign of penitence. He appeared to be imbued with a digged determination to keep his feelings locked in his breast, and this determination he maintained to the last. A few minutes before 8 o'clock the mournful procession entered the yard in which the gallows was erected, and on reaching the scaffold the unhappy man stepped lightly up the ladder to the platform. He was quickly pinioned by the executioner (who was disguised by a crape mask and false dundreary whiskers), and the customary service was Blowly and painfully spoken by one of the clergymen, both reverend gentlemen being much affected. The service was interrapted bj the fatal words, " Executioner, do your duty." Almost immediately the lever was pressed, the trap fell, and Edwards was precipitated into the cavity — never having as much as moved a muacle or shown the least fear. The drop was Bft, and death was instantaneous. A slight tremor and heaving of the body was observed/ but this was, no doubt, to be attributed to relaxation of the muuKs. The sentence was carried out very expeditiously, the time occupied

from the prisoner mounting the scaffold to the conclusion not occupying more than li minutes. The usual formal inquest was afterwards held, when the customary verdict of "executed in due course of law " was returned.

The bad and worthless are never imitated or counterfeited. This is especially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof tr at the reme ly imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it had been t. strd und proved by i he whole world that Hop Hitters wns the purest, best, and most valuable family mec'i cine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notices in which the Press and the people of the country had exprrss d the merits of IJ.B , and in every way trying to induce suffering invalids to use their btuff instead, expec ing to make money on the credit and good name of 11. B. Many others started nostrums put up in similar atyla to H. 8., with variously devired names in which the wjrd '• Ho;i " or " Hops " were used in a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. All such pretended remedies or cures, no multrr what their style or name is, and especially those with the word "Hop" or "Hops" in their name or in any way connected with them or their n.iin?, »re imitations or counterfeits. 13ewai\3 of them. Touch non » of them. Vee nothing but genuine American Hop .Bitters, with a bunoh or cluster of green Hops on the white lnb^l, and Dr Soiilr'B name blown in the glass. Trust nothing elte. Druggies and Ch'.mists are warned Hg inst dealing iv iinitalio&s or counterfeits. - [Advt.J 83