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PATENT CALLOWS FIASCO.

TERRIBLE EXECUTION SCENE

Another case of a bungled execution, this time at Jersey Oity, is reported as having taken place last month. After befing hanged in the presence of a score of witnesses for seven minutes, Edwin J. Tapley, a negro, convicted of wife murder, was found to be alive. The rope was attached round his neck again, and 'he was strung up for six minutes more 'before life became extinct. The patent gallows, invented 'by James van Hise, New Jersey's professional hangman, worked 'badly. With this gallows there is no drop, but a weight is attached to one end.of the rope- and allowed to fall, lifting the victim high in the air. The delay in the execution had a depressing effect upon those present, and a few were overcome at the sight. Van Hise was- greatly chagrined when he found tlfoat the man was still alive after fosing thung for seven minutes. The time taken ito kill Tapley is one of the longest periods ever found necessary in New Jersey to hang a criminal. This case, coming so soon after the bungled execution of Mary Rogers at Vermont, ■will strengthen the outcry in favour of electrocuting as opposed to hanging criminals.

Tapley, who was attended !by two clergymen, entered the gaol yard cheerfully, singing " [Lord Jesus, I am coming," and Van Hise, who, despite the experience acquired by 250 hangings, ways somewhat (nervous, called out, " Hurry up! Hurry up ! " When asked if he had anything to say, the negro made & isfliort-speech, confessing to the murder larnd expressing penitence.

Van Hdse stoutly defends the efficiency of his patent gallows, and accuses the two clergymen of 'being the cause of the bungling, because, as he alleges, ■they tried *fo talk to the prisoner while tlhe black ©ap was toeing fixed. On the tofchsr (hand, it is declared that the executioner pulled the black cap over the ■negro's face 'before his speech was finished.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19060129.2.7

Bibliographic details

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12715, 29 January 1906, Page 2

Word Count
325

PATENT CALLOWS FIASCO. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12715, 29 January 1906, Page 2

PATENT CALLOWS FIASCO. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12715, 29 January 1906, Page 2

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