EXECUTION OF THE TASMANIAN MURDERERS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1327, 10 July 1883, Page 4

EXECUTION OF THE TASMANIAN MURDERERS.

, (Tasmanian.) The prisoners, James Sutherland and I James Ogden, convicted of the murder of William Wilson and Alfred Holman , at Epping Eorest in April last, were executed on 4th June, at the Campbell street gaol, Hobart. The Bev. Mr Mace had been with Sunderland from early morn,, and the Rev Mr Shoobridge with Ogden. Neither of the prisoners had slept during the night, saying they would see as much as they could of the world that was soo soon to be left, and both softened in their demeanor during the night. In the morning Sutherland requested Mr Mace to send to Mrs Wilson and Mrs Holman and ask them to forgive him, and he also spoke bitterly of the treatment he had received during his lifetime, saying the world had not been a pleasant one to him, that he had had no parents to look after him, but had been kicked about by those who got as much work as possible out of him without earing in the least about him. He also said lie had thought a good deal about his position than people had given him credit for. _ Both prisoners seemed to realise their position. Only three spectators, exclusive of the officials, police, and representatives of the Press, were present at the final scene this morning. Before leaving their cells both prisoners were asked by the deputy-sheriff, Mr. Seager, if they had anything to say, but both replied in the negative. There was little change in the appearance of Sutherland, but Ogden s features were heavy and swollen. At five minutes past 8 a.in. they left their cells, after having been pinioned by Solomon Blay, the hangman ; and proceeded by the Rev. Mr. Shoobridge, reading a portion of the Church of England burial service, both prisoners walked calmly along the bridge leading to the scaffold, Sutherland’s step being as firm as ordinarily, while Ogden, who carried in his right hand a bunch of flowers sent to him through the Rev. Mr. Shoobridge by a little girl attending Trinity Church Sundayschool, trembled violent}', but otherwise made no sign. When the hangman placed the noose round Sutherland’s neck he pulled himself together, never flinching, Ogden also keeping firm, and the muscles of neither of their faces moved as the fatal cap was drawn over their heads. ihe bolt was drawn at 10 minutes past 8 a m., and side by side the unfortunate lads were launched into eternity. Standing on the scaffold they looked more boyish than ever, making it difficult to believe them the perpetrators oi the deeds for which they justly suffered death. Mrs. Ogden states that it was reading the history of the Kelly gang caused the boys to commit these crimes. After hanging an hour the bodies were cut down, the little bouquet sent to Odgen being found tightly clenched in his hand, and Dr. Graham certified that both were dead. Casts of thoir heads were then taken byMr. A. J. Taylor, and at half-past 12 p.m the bodies were placed in a hearse by Mr. I’. W. Petterd, the Government contracting undertaker, and Conveyed to the Cornelian Bay Cemetery, where they were interred by the gaol officials without any religious ceremony. The execution of these two prisoners makes over 100 persons executed by Solomon Blay, The last execution was that of Richard Copping, for murder at Sorrell, on 21st October, 1878.