HORRIBLE SCENE AT AN EXECUTION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1863, 2 May 1863, Page 5

HORRIBLE SCENE AT AN EXECUTION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

(From the Sydney Morning Herald, March 23.) Another of those sad and terrible spectacles, a criminal execution, took place at the Darlingburst gaol on Thursday morning, the dreadful sentence of the law having been carried into effect on the body of Henry Manus, convicted, together with John Bow and Alexander Fordyce, of participation in tbe gold escort robbery on the 15th June last. Most energetic efforts had been made to procure a commutation of the capital sentence passed on the unfortunate culprit, but although many thousand of signatures were spontaneously appended to a petition, and though several gentlemen ot great influence and respectability gave the weight of their support to the memorial, the members of the Executive Council did not feel justified in recommending his Excellency to grant the prayer of tbe petitioners, by extending the same mercy to- Manus, which was accorded to Bow and Fordyce. The fact of a portion of the stolen gold being found on the prisoner Manus, coupled with his own i •wish to plead guilty, was regarded as a corroboration of the approver's testimony, and in this circumstance, we understand, lay the distinction

which, in considering the cases of the prisoners' the Government found it impossible to ignore. Since the period of his condemnation, the unhappy youup: mau, who was only twenty-four yeais of age, had conducted himself in gaol with great propriety, aud under the zealous and untiring efforts of clergymen who attended him, devoted himself earnestly to preparation for (he awful ordeal through which he was to pass though it would seem he was not wholly without hope up to Wednesday evening, that his life would be spared. This belief was intensified no doubt from bis learning what bad been done in the case of Bosv, and the strong efforts which were being made on bis own behalf. The Executive, however, did not feel justified iv acceding to tbe prayer of the memorialists, and hence od Wednesday afternoon intimation was forwarded to the Sheriff that the law must take its course. There were but very few persons at the distressing scene, the spectators not exceeding thirty in number, and tbe execution was delayed for nearly twenty minutes beyond the usual hour, I probably with the humane object of allowing any communication in tbe shape of a respite ot reprieve to reach the gaol. No such document, however, arrived, aud at about twenty minutes past vine the prisoner! was pinnionedand brought forth. He was attended by the Venerable Archdeacon M'Encroe, the Venerable Archpriest Therry, and the Rev. Father Dwyer, the latter having precedence in the mournful procession. He walked firmly and erect, though somewhat palid in expression, he displayed no agitation or want of fortitude — still less anything approaching to bravado or recklessness. Arrived at the foot of the gallows, he remained in prayer for five or six minutes with tbe reverend attendants, and then ascended the ladder in company with the Venerable Archdeacon and the Rev Mr Dwyer. On arriving at tbe drop he spoke briefly to tbe persons assembled, staling that " he had nothing further to say beyond what he had already told ; adding that he was thankful to his friends and the good people in Sydney who had exerted themselves to save his life, for which service he hoped God would bless them." The clergymen then parted jvith him, praying as they descended from the platform, while tbe executioner proceeded to perform his terrible office. On this occasion, whether it arose from nervousness or excitement on the part of the executioner, the preliminaries were not so speedily performed as they were in the case of the two men Ross, a lapse of nearly two minutes occurring ere he had concluded his preparations. When at length these were completed, and the bolt was drawn, there ensued one of the most appalling spectacles ever witnessed at an execution. The noose of the rope, instead of passing tightly around the neck, slipped com pletely away, the knot coming round in front of the face while the whole weight of the criminal's body was sustained by Uie thick muscles of the poll. The rope, in short, went round the middle of the head, and the work of the hangman proved a most terrible bungle. The sufferings and struggles of the wretched being were heart-rending to behold. His body swayed about, and writhed, evidently in the most intense agony. The arras repeatedly rose and fell, and finally, with one of his hands, the unfortunate man gripped the rope as if to tear the pressure from his head — a loud guttural noise the meanwhile proceeeding from his throat and lungs, while blood gushed from his nostrils and stained the cap with which his face was covered. This awful scene lasted for more than ten minutes when stillness ensued, and it was hoped that death had terminated the culprit's sufferings. Shocking to relate, however, the vital spark was not yet extinguished, and to the horror of all present, the convulsive writhings were renewed— the tenacity to life being remarkable, and a reptition of the sickening scene was only at last terminated at the in stance of Dr West, by the aid of four coufines, who were made to bold the dying malefactor up in their arms, while the executioner re-adjusted the rope, wnen the body was let fall with a jerk, and another minute sufficed to end the agonies of death. The executioner expressed his sorrow to the gaoler and undersheriff for what had happened, assuring them that it was from no fault or intention of his, butsolely the result of accident. The body was lowered into a shell shortly before ten o'clock, and it was with deep regret and indignation that some of the spectators saw the hangman atteraptto remove a pair of new boots from the feet of the cotpse. This reevolting act, was, however, instantly prevented, and the body, which was decently attired in a white shirt, moleskin trousers and blouse, was removed to the deadhouse, where it remained untouched till the arrival of a hearse, procured by the relatives of the criminal, to whom the authorities had decided to hand it over for interment. Thus miserably and fearfully terminated the life of a man barely in the prime of manhood — one blessed naturally with robust health, and a strong well constituted frame — two good auguries of a protracted existence, had not the temptation to crime and the want of moral principles led him into the commission of an outrage — into the playing of a desperate game, where he staked his worldly happines3, liberty, and life, against the poor advantage of procuring gold and money without honest labour. Surely such a terrible example must have its influence, and serve to make others pause who are treading the dark path which brought this criminal so swiftly to theignominj of a violent and disgracefuldeath.