MINNIE DEAN EXECUTED

Thames Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 8120, 13 August 1895, Page 2

MINNIE DEAN EXECUTED

SHE PKOTESTS HER INNO-

CENCE,

(Peb Press Association.) Invercargill, Last nighfc. Minnie Dean was executed this morning.

She slept from 11.30 till 3 this morning, took no breakfast, and o»ly a sip from a glass of spirits given her by the gaol surgeon.

At three minutes to eight the Sheriff demanded the body.

At two minutes past eight Minnie Dean eaid " Don't let them keep me long in agony, Dr." These were h<>r last words to the surgeon. As she marched from the cell her arms pinioned behind, and up the steps of the scaffold to the trap door she was apparently the most self-pos-sessed of the dismal precession.

She stood bateless and erect, facing the west.

A black board, marking the gray of Walsh, the Waikawa murderer, was directly in front of her, while the hangman adjusted the rope and placed the white cap on her. Then her legs were pinioned, and for the first time the marvellous will power of the woman to a certain extent gave way. 'She swayed back and forward, and held firmly to the warder's hand. In reply to the question of the Sheriff" Do you wish to say anything before you leave this world ?". she said "No; except that I am innocent." After her legs were pinioned, she said " Oh, Grod, let me not suffer." J The hangman drew the lever, and all was over, death being instantaneous.

To the Rev. Mr Lindsay she stated that, as far as the evidence was concerned, the sentence was justified, but she protested her innocence as regards intention and forethought.