EYRETON MURDERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 202, 2 September 1901, Page 2

EYRETON MURDERS.

McLEAN PAYS THE LAST PENALTY. DEATH INSTANTANEOUS. THE MURDERER PENITENT. [By Telegraph Press Association.] Christchurch, Saturday Alexander or Stewart McLean, sentenced to death at the last sittings of the the Supremo Court hero, rvas executed at Lyttelton gaol this morning in the presence of the Sheriff, the Governor of tho gaol, two Justices of the Peace, a medical man, Mr Smail, lay evangelist, who spent tho night with tho condemned man, Adjutant Flanaghan, oi tho Salvation Army, two warders, and a constable. No reporters were admitted. At five minutes past eight the execution took place, McLean being calm and cool and showing no signs of fear. On the scaffold he said “ Lord, have mercy on me. I am all right; 1 am ready.” Death was instantaneous.

From all that can be ascertained, tho execution was carried out without tho slightest hitch, and the body, which was viewed by tho representatives of the press, showed no signs of there having been any bungling. Tho Governor of tho Gaol states that the condemned man slept woll tho previous night. Mr Smail prayed with him, and had breakfast with him. The murderer expressed penitence, sang hymns, aud read the Bible prior to being led to tho gallow9. On Friday, ho sent a letter to the Governor of tho Gaol, thanking him and the warders for their kindness to him during the nino weeks he had been under their care. An inquest, in accordance with the Act, was hold at 9.30, when, after hearing the evidence of the sheriff and the doctor, tho jury returned a verdict that Alexander McLean, having been sentenced to death, the said sentenco had been duly carried into effect.

The following telegram was sent from Wellington last Monday :—Tom Long, tho hangman, went South by tho Tarawera last night. He came down from upcountry some days ago, and eluded the official who was sent down to meet him by getting down on the wrong side of the train. Then he wont on a “ bonder ” in honor of the occasion. Eventually he turned up in Wellington Gaol in a happy frame of mind, and remained there until the time of his departure in charge of the gallows which arc to hang McLean. Long is very indignant at the action of a man who put it about that he (Long) was dead, and applied for his billet. He threatens to make tho individual sit up if he can lay his hands on him in his leisure moments.