THE WINTON MURDERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2854, 13 August 1895, Page 3

THE WINTON MURDERS.

EXECUTION OF MINNIE DEAN. INVERCARGILL, Aug. 12. Minnie Dean was executed this morning. She slept from 11.30 till 3 this morning. She took no breakfast, aud only a sip from a glass of spirits, given har by the gaol surgeon. At threo minutes to eight the sheriff demanded the body, and at two minutes past eight Miunie Dean was dead. " Don't let them keep me in agony, doctor," wero her parting words to tho surgeon. She marched from tho cell with her arms piuioued behind hor, and up the steps of the scaffold on to the trap door, apparently the most self-possessed of the dismal processiou. She stood hatless and erect, facing west, a black board markiug tho grave of Walsh (the Waikawa murderer) directly iu front of her. The hangman adjusted the rope, and placed the white cap on hor. Then her legs were piuioued and for tho first timo the marvellous will power of the woman to a certain extent gave way. She swayed backwards and forwards, holding firmly to the warder's hand. In reply to tho question of the sheriff, "Do yon wish to say anything before you leavo this world," she said, " No, except that lam innocent." After her legs were pinioned she said, " O God, lot mo not sulfor." Tho hangman thou drew tho lover, and all was over, death boing instantaneous. The drop allowed was 7ft 9in, and tho Bolt'old used wis tho one built for the execution of Captain Jarvoy, of Duuedin, who poisoned his wife about a <iuarter'| of a century ago. j To tho liov. Mr Lindsay she stated that as far a 3 tho uvidonco was concerned the Bontonco was justified, but she protosted hor innocence us regards intention and i forethought. Tho only persons present besides the ga )1 officers wore tho sheriff, doctor, magistrate,- and pross reporters. Tlir body has boon claimed by her husband, and will bo buried in tho Wintou oometery. During tho execution a boy foil from tho roof of a building to tho ground, a distance of thirty feet, and fractured his skull. It is understood th-.t Minnio Doan left a written statement, which will bo forwarded to tho Govoriimour, placing a different aspect on the case fruin that interred from hor trial.