EXECUTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5334, 12 August 1895, Page 3

EXECUTION.

The End of Minnie Dean, Innocence Protested to the Last. [Pee Pbebb Association.] INVERCABGILL, Attotxbt 12. Minnie Dean waa executed thiß morning. She alept from 11.80 last night till 8 o'clock. She took no breakfast, and only a sip from a glass of . spirits given her by the gaol surgeon. At three minutes to eight the Sheriff demanded the body, 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 marched from the cell with her arms pinioned behind, and up the steps of thescaff old on to the trap-door, apparently the most self -possessed of the dismal procession. She stood hatlesa and erect, facing the west, a black board marking the grave of Walsh, the Waikawa murderer, being 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 marvellons will power of the woman to a certain extent gave way. She swayed to and fro, holding firmly 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, God, let me not suffer." The hangman drew the lever, and all was over, death being instantaneous. The drop allowed was 7ft 9in, and the scaffold used was the one bailt for the execution of Captain Jarvey, of Dunedin, who poisoned his wife about a quarter of a century ago. To the Eev Mr Lindsay Minnie Dean stated that as far as the evidence was concerned the sentence was justified, but Bhe protested her innocence as regarded intention and forethought. The only peraonß present, besides the gaol officers, were the sheriff, the doctor, the magistrate, and the Press reporters. The body of Mrs Dean has been claimed by her husband, and will be buried in the Winton Cemetery. It is understood that Minnie Dean left a written statement which will be forwarded to the Government, placing a different aspect on the case from that inferred from the trial. Daring the execution a boy fell from the rw>f of a building to the ground, a distance of thirty feet, fracturing his skull.