Execution of Mrs. Dean.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 6, Issue 65, 16 August 1895, Page 2

Execution of Mrs. Dean.

Dunedin, August 12. Minnie Dean was executed this morning at Invercargill. She slept from half-past eleven o’clock last night until three o’clock this morning. She ate no breakfast, and took 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 at the gaol and demanded the body of the condemned woman, and at two minutes past eight Minnie Dean was dead. “ Don’t let them keep me in agony, doctor,” were her parting words to the surgeon. She retained her self-possession 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 I am innocent.” After the hangman had pinioned her legs she exclaimed, “ Oh God! Let me not suffer.” The executioner 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.