SHOCKING LEVITY OF A CONDEMNED MAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7080, 26 July 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

SHOCKING LEVITY OF A CONDEMNED MAN.

JosxrH Lowsoir, aged 25, was executed a few days ago within the walls of Durham Gaol, for the murder of Polioe-iargeant William Smith, at Butterknowle, in February last, nnder oiroamstances of great brutality. Three men were tried for complicity iu the crime, of whom one named Hodgson was acquitted, another named Siddle was condemned to death, but has since been reprieved until signification of the Qacen's pleasure, and the third was the unhappy man who was hanged. Since his conviction Lowson maintained a firm demeanoor up to a few days before his execution, when he became very dejected, and began to rave in his sleep. On the night to bis death he retired to rest about ten o'clock, but his sleep was broken. At six o'clock Chief Warder Alison entered Lowson's cell to see the culprit transferred from the night to the dey warder. Lowson bade the night warder "good morning," and laughingly remarked that they might meet •gam. The chaplain entered the cell shortly afterwards, but Lowson took no notice of his ministrations,' and declared " I will die game," occasionally using strong language against the judge, jury, and witnesses. Ho made a slight breakfast, and at about a quarter to eight was brought from the condemned oell to the olerk'a room, where his arms and hands were pinioned; when he entered the apartment he bade several of the warders "good morning." A procession was then formed, and Lowson walked firmly to the scaffold. . As he took his place on the drop, and while the last pinioning operations were being performed, he said, " Hodgson struck the first blow; I helped him. Siddle is perfectly inqocent. I hope tho Crown and country will look after this and see Siddle safe home again." The drop fell at eight precisely, aud the oulprit died instantly without the Slightest struggle. Berry, of Bradford, was the executioner. After hanging an hour the body was cut down, and the usual inquest held. In an interview after Be had left Durham, Berry, the executioner, statod that it had never been his lot to hang a man who exhibited so muoh coolness and nerve at the last moment as did Lowson. The condemned man utterly refused the chaplain's ministrations, and whilst being' pinioned, to which operation _be readily submitted, even moving himself to facilitate the executioner's work and continuing to smile whilst proceeding to the scaffold.