EXECUTION OF MRS. DEAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 190, 13 August 1895, Page 2

EXECUTION OF MRS. DEAN.

[United Press Association.]

DIJNKMN. Augnsfc 12. Minuie Dean was executed this morning at Inveroargill. She slept from halfpast eleven o'clock last night until three o'clock this morning. She ate no breakfast, and touk only a sip from a glass of spirits given to her by the Gaol Surgeon. At three minutes to eight o'clock the Sheriff arrived and demanded the body of the condemned woman, ami at two minutes past eight Minnie Dean was dead. "Don't let them keep mo in agony, Doctor," were her parting words to tbe Surgeon. She retained her selfpossession to the last, walking firmly on to the scaffold. In reply to the question, " Do you wish to say anything before you leave this world ? ' She replied, " No, except that lam innooent.' f After the hangman had pinioned her legs, she exclaimed, " Oh God ! Let me notsuffer." The execntioner then drew the lever, and all was over, death being instantaneous. The condemned woman stated to the Rev Mr Lindsay that as far as the evidence was concerned the sentence was justified, but she protested her innocence as regards intention and forethought to commit murder. Hundreds of people assembled outside the gaol. The drop allowed was 7ft Din, and the scaflold used was the one built for the execution of Captaiu Jarvey, of Dunedin, who poisoned his wife about a quarter ot a century ago. The only persons present besides the gaol officers were the Sheriff, the doctor, the Magistrate, and the press reporters. The body has been claimed by the husband, and will be buried iu the Winton Cemetery.