EXECUTION OF MINNIE DEAN.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10072, 13 August 1895, Page 3

EXECUTION OF MINNIE DEAN.

Inveiicargillj, Monday.

Minnie Dean \vnn executed this morning. Sha slept from 11. SO till 3 this morning, took no breakfast, and only a sip from a glass of spirits given her by "the gao! surgeon. Ab three ruinates to 8 the sheriff demanded the body, and at two ruinates past, 3 Minnie Dean was dead. " Don't let them keep me la agony, doctor," were hßr parting words to the surgeon. She marched from the cells with her arms pinioned behind, and up the ateps of the scaffold on to the trapdoor. She was apparently the moab snlfpossessed ot the dismal procession. She stood hatless and erect, facing tbe west, a black board marking the grave of Walsh, the Walkawa murderer, directly in fronb of her, while the hangman adjusted the rope and placed the white cap on her. Tben her legs were pinioned, and for tbe first time the marvellous will power of the woman bo a certain extent gave way. She swayed back and forward, holding firmly the warder's hand. Tn reply to a qnesilon of the eheriff, " Do yon whh to say anything befnro you leave this world?" she hiiM "No, except that lum innocent." After her legs had been pinioned slio sftid, " Oh, God, let me not Buffer." The hangman then drew the lover and oil waß over, death being instantaneous. The drop allowed was aoven feet nine inches, and the scaffold naed wns one bnilt for thu execution of Captain Jarvey, of Danedin, who poisoned his wife nboat a qaarter of a century ngo. To the Rev. Mr Lindsay she stated that as far as the evidence wns concerned the senlenco was jastified, but sho protested her innocence us regurds tbe intention and forethought. The only peiaous present besides the gaol fiflicera were the Sheriff, doctor, Magistrate, and the I'rena reporters. The body has been claimed by the husband, and will bo buried In bhu Wlnton cemotery. It la understood Minnie Dean left a written (statement, which will be forwarded to the Government, placirjg ii different aspect on the corb from that inferred from the trial. During the execution a boy tell from the roof of a building to tho ground, a distance of 50 feet, fracturing his skull.