GHASTLY SCENE ON A SCAFFOLD.

Colonist, Volume XXX, Issue 5019, 30 September 1887, Page 3

GHASTLY SCENE ON A SCAFFOLD.

Alfbid Sowert, the young man who mur« dered his swestheart at Preston in May, was executed at Lancaster on a recent Monday. The Lancashire * Evening Post 1 has the following account of the closing scene in Sowery's life:—" The scaffold was built ia the chapel yard immediately ia front of the ohapel entrance, and was largely ocoupied by the awful looking structure* Our repre9sentative and two other members of the Press were admitted into the Castle at twenty-five minutes to eight by the iron gateway, which is built, singular to say, in Ji>e very point where, prisoners made their exlFba the way to 'the soaffold when the executions were public.. At a quarter to eight o'clock St. Mary's i Church bell commenced tolling and continned till the black flag had hsen hoisted. In tie chapel yard was Berry/ the executioner, in helmet and slippers, awaiting the summons tot the condemned cell. Berry, it appeared after presenting himself at the castle on Sunday, remained, all night at the Commercial Hotel, which he left shortly after seven o'clock on Monday morning. The prisoner went to rest on Sunday night about ten o'clock, up to which hour h» had been attended by the chaplain of the goal, the Rev H. F. Smith.: Shortly after six o'clock on Monday morning, Sowery, who had passed a restless night, rose from his bed.' He was considerably agitated, exceedingly pale, and exhibited convulsive movements of his arms and If gs. Indeed, he had to be sopported for some time by the chaplain, who visited bim.Jby arrangenisnt at seven ©'clock. :The'condemned man seemed to have completely lost the comparative calmness: which had 'characterised him tha previous day. He has taken his food regularly and has gained in physical condition since sentence of death was passed upon him. A,t L seven minutes; to eight the:chaplain;left the cell of the culprit, passed, across the chapel yard to the room of the Visiting Jus-! tices, where ho attired himself in his surplice. Meaawhile B«ry entered tbe cell, along with warden, and found, the prisoner in a very' excited condition. Ha appeared horrorstricken, and was ghastly pale, and resisted the process »f pinioning somewhat violently; He had to be held by ihe= attendant warden; so convulsed was ha with agitation and fear. The chaplain having robed, went back to Sowery, and the solemn procession commenoed to the scaffold. The prisoner made the most violent resistance all the way, and had to b» held up by no lees than five warders. He repeatedly put hid foot down in front of him and tried to force himself back. He, however,' was with every care and kindness quietly assisted along by the warders. The procession was headed by the chaplain; then came Mr Artindale, the under sheriff; Mr Shenton, the head war-' der'; Dr W. Wingate Saul and Dr Clarke; the medical officers of the prison. Afterwards came five wardens, supporting the prisoner, and Berry, the executioner. About two minutes to eight could be beard the solemn voice of the chaplain reading the last moment; he had iitfeta^&Jftguttoi..., up the seven steps of the chapelfiffiSg^l&jjf; stairs leading to the scaffold. Considering the difficulties they had to contend with, the -execution was conducted aa* humanely as it could be by all concerned. When on the scaffold Sowery threw his head forward, and it was with a great effort that Berry sue) ceedediri placing the rope around. his, neck and in pioioning his lega, so violent was his resistance. Instantly this had been ac| conoplished, Berry drew over Sowery's face a white cap, and at once got off the sciffold, turned the wheels releasing the levers, and the man fell. Death appeared to take place directly. There were a few muscular twiti ches apparent for about a moment, and then all was still. The executioner states that he has occupied the office for fonr years and has never experienced so much difficulty in carrying out bis duty on any previous occasion. Notwithstanding this, he behaved himself with remarkable ooolnesss and steadiness. So violent was Sowery's conduct in resisting the pinioning of his legs that Barry slightly strained his arm. The chaplain informs us that the prisoner behaved himself , remarkably well, and so far as his own relatives were concerned;'he had bid them adieu: In answer to an enquiry made by the Revi Mr Smith to the prisoner as to whether he had any message to leave,fSowery stated that he wished the chaplain to. send a letter to the parents of the deceased girl in Ireland, expressing his deep contrition and sorrow for the, pain, and bereavement he had oaused them. During a conversation the chaplain hid with Sowery, he (the Rev Mr Smith) had ! always represented the girl as a virtuous and good young.woman, and the prisoner expressed his anxiety that Mr Smith {should in the letter also explain t« the parents the high sense which be (Sowery) had of the girl's personal character. i