COOPER’S END.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1923, Page 4

COOPER’S END.

Daniel Hiclmrd Cooper, who was convicted at the last criminal sessions .1! the Supreme Conn in Wellington on a charge ol murdering an intanr ''hi I at No viands, and was sentenced to death by .Mr Justice Chapman, was executed at the Tenue Oaol, Wellington, pt 8 o’clock on Saturday mmnii:{>.. The condemned man met his end calmly. The executioner was disguise:! by means of a dark beard and moustache and wore a dark bat all thiough the pro-codings. 'During the last few days of his tile ('neper had slept fairly well and Ins appetite had been good. lie kept very much to himself, and seldom spoke to i|i. who were attending to his needs. On Saturdiy morning he made no request to see anybody, and did not tender thanks to any of the gaol official-, except one warder who had been more closely associated with him. In his cell were a hymn-book, a prayer-book, and a religious publio'Uiou. “Thy Kingdom Come,” During the time he was in the prison he made no request: In see liis w i I e. HFXrsiI.MHNT DESERVED.

Ciiminissiouer Haggard an 1 Colonel Bray, of the Salvation Army, attended the condemned man since lasi Tuesday. Up to that time Cooper had been attended by the minister of the Seventh Day Adventists, who. however, had in leave Wellington smile days ago. Cooper then made a special request to the authorities that Comnisisioner lloggaid and Colonel Bray should minist-r to him from that time forward, which they eon sen ted, to do. 5 oiumi-siouei Hogga.nl interviewed Cooper to ascertain if he could do anything with regard to Hie care of Cooper's two children, lint tho condemned man left that matter to be settled between the (a.ninbsioner and his li'iends. Il is explained that Cooper had had no previous connexion with the 5-alvatmil Ainiv. ■Since Tuo-nDy. Commissioner Boggard and Colomd Bray, as previously staled, have inuii-tet'ed to Cooper, and 'l! Saturday morning the condemned man confessed hi- guilt. In addition to Hie 1,, jef lin'd Stai-nieui which be made. ( coper expres'-ed himself mni’i' freely to ihe Salvation Army olic-is. and ar-kil-1". Imlgi *1 that he deserved the 1 Uttisltiueiil which had been 'vied out to him. tlm- removing any doubt a- to th- i e -11 ■*• of the litem e.