THE SILVERSTREAM MURDERER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9395, 23 March 1898, Page 2

THE SILVERSTREAM MURDERER.

Hanged This Morning.

- Full Confession of Guilt.

(Per United Press Association.) Wellington, March 23. Frank Philpott (alia* Stanhopo) was hanged at the Terrace Gaol at 8 o'clock this morning for tho murder of his mate, Ernest Alfred Hawthorne, at Silverstream on September 7th last. Tile cqiivict slept soundly from 1 till 3.30, and was watched all night by the warders in turn. After rising, he had a half-hour's exercise and took alight breakfast. There were presont at the final scene the Bheriff and tho head gaolnr, the Eev C. Dalloston, of tho Baptist Churoh (who had beon in constant attendance on tho convict), E. Arnold, J.P., Mr Willeston (the Visiting Justice), Bichardson (chief clerk of tho Prisons Department), Dr Toare (Prison Dootor), T. Sayers, and mcmbeis of the Press. Constables were stationed on the hills above the gaol to prevent tho spectators gathoring, but few were present, and in any case they could have been nothing, as the scaffold was surrounded by high screens. When tho official proegssion reached the scaffold, the Boy. Dalloston asked Philpott whether there was anything he would liko to cay. Tho condemned man, in a voice on the whole firm but betraying signs of emotion, said ho had acknowledged and confessed his sin in tho fane of God. He had confessed to Mr Dnlloston and Mr Garvey, tho gaolor, and given them power to make his confession public. Ho thanked the gaol officials for their extreme kindness to him, and wished everyone good-byo. Long, Hie executioner.tben arranged the rope, and Philpott stood firm. There was a slight iiicreaso of colour in his face, and it wa? evident he keenly realised his position, but he showed no signs of breaking down, and mot his fato manfully. The executioner curiously "forgot to draw on tho cap till reminded by the gaoler, and as ho stopped forward to do so Philpott closed his eyes. When tho drbp fell, death was instantaneous. Theie was no struggle, and no movement of the body. As soon as it was out down a jury was empannelled and a formal verdict returned. The remains will be buried this afternoon at Karori cemetery.