EXECUTION OF NED KELLY

Temuka Leader, Issue 319, 18 November 1880, Page 2

EXECUTION OF NED KELLY

Melbourne, Nov, 12. Ned Kelly was hanged this morningin the Melbourne gaol. 'Up to a short period before the execution, he entertained very sanguine hopes of a reprieve and made frequent written appeals for clemency. Yesterday the Governor of the gaol informed him chat there was no hope, and told him lie -mast prepare for the worst. Kel.y made ’a final appeal that his body might be given np to his relatives for burial, but this w -s refused, as it is against the prison regulations. His three sisters paid him a farewell visit last night, and an affecting scene endued. Kelly.retir'd' to bed at half past 1 o’clock in the morning, and was restless for one hour. He t en slept well until i) o’clock, when ho arose and prayed for twenty minutes. He then lay down again, and was visited shortly afterwards by the Revs, Doan Donoly and Rhea, who ministered a spiritual consolation and remained with him until the last. They would not allowhim his breakfast bdore the irons were taken off. Kelly was then conducted to the condemned cell. He walked jauntily from bis former cell and had to pass through the Governor’s where he exclaimed, “ Oh, what a pretty garden.” He had not been shaved He then x-emainod in the cell in prayer with the priests. Precisely at To o’clficla the Govoi’nor of the gaol >nd the Sheriff went to the door and the warder announced that the fatal moment had arrived. Tixc priests, (one bearing a tall crucifix) intoning the. prayers proceeding the prisoner, who exhibited: some signs of faltering, Imt made great effox-ts to hold up . The gollowa were situated opposite the cell door, the drop being seven feet and a half. Kelly in coming out exclaimed, “Ah well its come to this at last,” he gave one Took at those pi'esent bexxeath, and Rien cast bis eyes down and stepped bn to the fatal spot, xvhere the white cap was then pulled over Ins face, the bolt was drawn and death was instantaneous. Only « few twitches wore preceptible. Therewas no struggling. The body was cut down at half past ten, the face was found pale but not distorted. A'formal in-' quest was held at 12 o’clock, and the remains were buried on Friday. An immense nu b congregated outside, fie;

gaol, about 6000 persons, but no distill banco of any sort took place.