MURDER OF FOOTBALLER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20319, 30 January 1928, Page 7

MURDER OF FOOTBALLER

CONDEMNED MEN EXECUTED. NO UNTOWARD INCIDENTS. (Fees, Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, January 27. When Rowlands and Driscoll were executed 5000 people had gathered outside the prison, but there was no demonstration apart from religious services, hymns, and chants. Fifty policemen were on duty from 3.30 a.m., although the hour of execution was 8 o’clock. A number of men and women, overcome by the tense atmosphere, fainted when the clock struck eight. It is stated that the condemned men protested their innocence to the last. They were steady and collected. In a last effort to save them a telegram was sent to the Prince of Wales, as president of the British Legion, appealing to him to save the lives of two Legioners. Rowlands’s wife, after a farewell visit to the prison, stated that her husband had said that he would rather ■ than endure twenty years of hell in prison.— A. and N.Z. Cable. THEIR LAST HOURS. DRISCOLL ENJOYS SOLO WHIST. LONDON, January 27. (Received Jan. 29, at 5.5 p.m.) The emotional scenes among the praying, hymn-singing crowds around Cardiff gaol, and the hysterical cries of fainting women, provided a sharp contrast to the last hours of the condemned men. The authorities were amazed at their calm demeanour, particularly in the caa- of Driscoll, who spent the evening playing cards with a warder. He ordered port wine, saying “ Bring me a bottle; it will help me to sleep soundly.” Driscoll grimly jested throughout the game. Both retired at midnight, and slept till early morning. When Driscoll was awakened he raved and stormed at fhe warders for more than half an hour, then became calm, and said: “ chaps, what about a last game of cams?” He seized a pack and dealt a hand of solo whist, but the game was interrupted by the arrival of the. Catholic chaplain, and it was never completed. Later Driscoll said: “ I suppose people are queueing up already. They are a curious crowd in Cardiff.” Near the scaffold he asked to be allowed to shake hands with Rowlands, and the two gripped. Driscoll then turneci to a warder, saying: “ W*hit rope is mine?’ - —A. and N.Z. Cable.