TWO EXECUTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11644, 4 May 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

TWO EXECUTIONS.

GEORGE PARKER, At nine a.m. on March 19 George Henry Parker, alias Hill, aged 23, an ex-marine, who was convicted at the List session of the Central Criminal Court, and sentenced to death for the murder of Mr. William Pearson, a gentleman farmer, of Christchurch Road, Winchester, by shooting him in a carriage on the South-western Railway on January 17, was executed within the walls of Wandsworth Prison. Since his condemnation Parker hod conducted himself well, and frequently stated that he was prepared to die. He was continually writ letters, and had been visited by several of his relatives and friends. When Mr. Under-sheriff Metcalfe and Major Knox. the governor of the prison, entered his cell en the morning of the execution, ho. for the first time, betrayed signs of nervousness. He submitted to the process of pinioning, which was performed by Biiiington. and walked firmly to the scaffold. Death was instantaneous. PAEKEtt'S last I.KTTEKS to HIS MOTHER. In a letter to his mother. Parker said: — " Pear up as well as you possibly can. I am sorry that yon should ever have heard of this trouble of mine, for I know how you will suffer but still things cannot be"altered. lam condemned to die next Tuesday. That lam not afraid of. There is One above who knows whether I am guilty or not of wilful murder. It was a pure accident, and I shall die with that expression on my lips, for I am not guilty of the crime which they brought against me. But never mind. God's will "be done. I have made my peace with him: I am under His protecting care; it will soon be over now. and my soul in heaven. 1 hope to meet you there some day, dearest mother. i was a great deal of trouble to you in my childhood; I have grown from that to manhood. I have hud good luck with the bud. I have not troubled you for years. 1 have seen less of home than anyone in the family, but all the more for that I have always loved and honoured you and father. and shall up to the last minute. I have prayed to God day and night, asking Him to be with you and help you to beer this great trouble. Cheer up, you will soon forget all about it. Try and forget that von ever had a son like me." The mother of Parker on Tuesday received another letter from her son. which was written on Monday ni.rht. In this he stud:—'"lt grieves me very much to think that this will be the last letter you will ever receive from me. A few more hours and an unjust sentence will have been carried into effect, and I shall be no more. I will not dwell too long on this sad affair, for it is breaking my heart to write this letter to you and my brothers and sisters. To think what you are enduring for me! To think what an example I have set my younger brothers and sisters! 1 cannot tell you my feelings when I come to think over it all. The events of my past life have come back to me since I have been in here. It makes one think that he is in close confinement. I will dose bv saying that I am not guilty of that man'"* death. There is One above who knows whether lam guilty or not. I have made my peace with Him. lam prepared for the worst ; for another world. I have got to (lie. but that lam not afraid of. I have prayed earnestly that the sins of mv mist life" should be forgiven, and that God will uuide and strengthen you nnu all n:v brothers and sisters. Tell them to keep off the drink; it is that whim has been mv ruin. I should never h eve bought that revolver had i been sober.' HERBERT JOHN BENNETT. Herbert John Bennett, ,vho murdered his wife on Yarmouth Heath on September 22, was executed in Norwich Gaol at nine arm. on .Hatch 21. The prison chaplain, on being interviewed, stated that Bennett passed his time in prison in reading books and ,-;■< paring for the end. He paid great attention to the ministrations of the chaplain When questioned by the high sheriff, Bennett staled that he had no confession to make. Billington.. the executioner, and his son entered the cell in due course and pinioned the arms of the condemned man. i hen came the procession to the scaffold! which was erected in the "Couch" vard' about 20 yards away. it was led by the sheriff, followed by the chaplain rending the opening sentences of the Burial Service Jhe culprit looked pale and faint. In another moment Bennett, was on the trapdoor, and Biliington, having adjusted the cap, gave a last look round to see that ail was in order, and then drew the bolt. When the body fell into the pit it twitched violently for too minutes. The morning was very coal, em! only about 100 persons witnessed the hoisting of the black lhi-v. th«.. staff of which fell as the Hag was be-in" rm up. bbxnett's WILL. The chief constable of Yarmouth has received from the governor of Norwich prison a letter written by Bennett, giving directions as to the disposal of his persona' effects, principally consisting of clothing and a small quantity of jewellery, which he wishes to have handed to his father. In this letter, which is really his will, the convict made no reference to the crime, or to Miss Alice Meadows, his sweetheart.