FRIGHTFUL SCENE AT AN EXECUTION.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 65, 30 August 1884, Page 6

FRIGHTFUL SCENE AT AN EXECUTION.

Nkw Yokic, August I.— Alexander Jefferson, the negro, who, in jealous rage, killed Henry Hicks and Emma Jackson (also coloured), nearly killed Anna Jackson, and slightly wounded his brother, Celestial Jefferson, at Mrs Jackson's residence on Buffalo Avenue, Brooklyn, was hanged this morning in the presence of 400 spectators. Before his execution ho handed the Sheriff a list of persons to whom ho wished his photographs given. He ate breakfast with evident relish, and dressed himself in a new black suit presented to him by the Sheriff. lie was kept in conversation by his spiritual advisers up to tho time. He was led to the scaffold betweon two clorgymen, and the noose was placed around his neck. After the rope was cut, and Jefferson's body shot up into the air, the knot slipped around under his chin, and his neck wap not broken. For a moment he was motionless, then he kicked, struggled and groaned as he was slowly strangled, and by a despearfce effort he got his right hand up to the rope and tore the black cap from his face, exposing its contortions and his staring eyes. After ho tore the black cap away, his hand fell down by his side. The contortions and convulsions of the body continued for five minutes, when lifo was pronounced extinct eight minutes after the rope was cut.