Execution of Mrs Pearcy.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 14 February 1891, Page 3

Execution of Mrs Pearcy.

♦ 1 On Tuesday morning, 23rd December, Mary lleanor Wheeler, alias Mrs Pearcy, aged 24, was executed at Newgace Prison for the murder of Phoebe Hogg, the wife of Frank Hogg, and their infant daughter, Phoebe Han slope Hogg, on the 24th October last, at No 2, Priory street, Kentish Town- On'y the officials and one or two persons who were unrecognisable as officials, but who entered under official guidance, got within the doors * hefore 8 o'clock. Berry, the executioner, slept in the prison, as is customary with him before bis services are wanted, at.d he discharged his office free from the supervision of any but official eyes, The unfortunate woman must have met her death in an incred.b'y brief space of time, from the moment Sir Jam s Whitehead, the 1. h rift o the County of London, entered Newf gate and gave authority to the executioner to complete his terrible office. The Central News learns that the convict slept at intervals through ut the night, and partook of a light breakfast in the morning. She was awakened by the attendant female warder shortly before six o'clock, and soon afterwards she was joined by the chaplain, who remained with her in prayer until ten minutes to eight, when she was removei to the pinioning room, where Beriy adjusted the leathern thongs around her arms. She submitted quietly, and, though somewhat dazed, her drawn features and pale skin tho wed the suffering she had undergone. She walked steadily to the small shed in the gaol yard, where the executions always take place, and was placed by Berry on the fatal drop, and he then pinioned her legs. The noose was deftly placed over her head, the lever bolts were drawn back, and Mis Pearcy disappeared from view. As the drop fell away there was a slight swinging of the rope, and all was over. Death had been practically institaneous. The Press Association says : — Sir James Whitehead asked Mrs Pearcy just before proceeding to the scaffold if she had anything to fay, as her last moment was approaching. After a moments hesitation, she eaid, "My sentence is a just one, but a good deal of the evidence against me was false." She never uttered another word. __■ ___ .. . -T-m?*^ .