The Execution of Birchall

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 89, 17 January 1891, Page 3

The Execution of Birchall

. We. have heard the last of Birchall, jthe Canadian murderer, who was hanged iii Woodstock Gaol Birchuil appeared perfectly cool as he walked across the gaol yard with a steady step to the scaffold. Ou the scaffuld his eyes were ti^ed while the service was read, aud he shook hands with the hangman without , an apparent tremor. His ueck was not properly broken by the iall, and he was 'slowly strangled in a minute aud a half. It was thought that the weight ot 350 ib would have jerked bim into the air aud broken - bis neck, but the weight was not sufficient, and the murderer's death struggles were horrible to witness. Though he did not draw up his legs, as usual with men being hanged, Lhe twitching of his arms and the convulsive movements of his body plainly showed his terrible sufferings. Ail the spectators weie shucked at the awful death scene. Birchall spent six hours with his wife in the early part of the night, and it was ten o'clock when his wife left him. The parting was touching in the extreme. Upon reaching • her hotel, the poor wife remained in a hysterical couditiou for the rest, of the night, until at length a sleeping draught was ad miuistered, aud she- then . became more calm, and- finally fell' into a alumber. After Mrs Birchall left the prison Dean Wade- eutered. and spent the rest of the night with the convict who did not sleep at all, but listened attentively to the rev . gentleman's exhortations. ' At six .o'clock in the morning his breakfast was served, consisting of poached eggs, toast, coffee, .and fr.uit. When the goal •cook brought in the meal, the prisoner smiled, and bade him heartily. *' f Good ! morning." Birchall ate with appetite,' and then entered into conversation with Mr Wade. Prayer aud reading of the Bible occupied- the time until- 8 o'clock, the -hour fixed for the execution.' At 7.30 the press and authorised ] spectators to the number of about 150 •entered the gaol. The scaffold was erected in the western yard, and the hangman proceeded to place the ropeaud weight iv positiou. - The scaffold worked with a #501 b weight* on the * end of the noose,, instead of the [ ordinary- drop. At 8 o'clock Sheriff ; Parry entered the pi doner's cell along ] with the hangman. When he eutered ( Birchall started up. ' Tbe sheriff read l tbe warrant, and asked the prisoner ( if he desired to speak, but the latter c replied that he did not, nor did he * wish anyone to speak to him. The s hangman strapped the convict's arms ft behind him, aud at 8 Id the mournful procession started from the gaol to the place of execution. The Rev Mr Wade led, reading the opening sentences of the Episcopalian burial service. After him came the - sheriff, and then the prisoner, who was supported by Mr-Leetham, an v old college chum of tJirehaU'B, x and the h warder. They were followed by the * gaoler and prison Insoectir. Th- 4 *■ condemned man halted in front of the ° gallows while the service was being read, and at a given signal be took his place on the ground beneath the rope: The- hangman pinioned the -convict's feet aud adjusted the noose oh his neck:- 'Birchuil -then shook - hands with Mr Wade, aud kissed him on both cheeks After shaking hands with . the hangman, . he whispered " Good bye" as the black cap was | being_ad justed. As the chaplain was j reciting, the .closing' words of the j Xiord's Prayer,- the executioner pulled the rope, which allowed tbe heavy weight to fall, and Bircball's body was shot into the air about ten feet It swayed for some time and death 1 resulted, from strangulation. The body was convulsed for fully five minutes, and the hands, which were loose clasped and uuclasped. In six minutes the pulse ceased to beat, and a life was pronounced to be extinct by the inspector.