DEATH OF CALCRAFT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1092, 31 March 1880, Page 3

DEATH OF CALCRAFT.

The death is Announced at thte ago of 79 of John, Calcraft, who for 46 years was -aJcommon’ hangman in England. Calbraft rebeivM his’official Appointment as executioner to the Corporation of London itt 'Connection with the gaol at Newgate In the yeAf 1818, and he bad a standing salary of one guinea per week, being allowed, when his services were not required at Newgate, to officiate at Any othOr gaol where the capital sentence was to bo carried out. In 1874, in consequence of his advanced age,, it was noticed to Him that it would be better for him to resign, ■and he accordingly did so after fifty-six years’ -service, but his salary was continued to hiVn by the Corporation. During the tiftie he was in office he had to execute some of the most extraordinary criminals, the earliest among them being Bishop and Williams, for the minder of an Italian boy in Bethhal Green, which created an extraordinary sensation at the time it occurred. Galcraft was Verf natural in Iris manner And habits, and he was very much Averse to giving any information With regard the number of criminals who had passed through his hands daring his long careen He always appeared to consider that he was unfairly dealt with by being compelled to resigu his position as ekecUtioner* atld was repeatedly heard to say tb those who were acquainted with' him that he was as well able to perform bis duty as ever he was ; and nothing appeared to give him greater annoyance than when it was stated iu the report of an execution in the newspapers that the culprit Appeared to struggle a great deal. Calcrafb was born in the year 1800, and was by trade a shoemaker. He was in his seventy-ninth year consequently at the tiihe of hia death. .. ■