EXECUTION OF MURDERERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2420, 3 November 1892, Page 3

EXECUTION OF MURDERERS.

Bkisbane, October 24. The two men, Geo. Gleeson and Wm. Leonardo Moncado, who were condemned to death at Cooktown in September last for cruel and cowardly murder 3, paid the extreme penalty of the law this morning. The crime for which Gleeson was executed was the murder of Patrick McKirnan, commonly known as " Gaddy," whom he shot at Cussen's pearl shelling station, Prince of Wales Island, on 11th May. The culprit was 27 years of age, and an Bast Indian. He filled the position of cook on a station. His victim was 24 years of age. Moncado gave his age at 42, and said he was born in South America. The deed for which he was doomed to die was of an extremely atrocious character. His victim was a Port Darwin aboriginal,known as "Bob," whom he killed and mutilated in a most shocking manner on board the schooner Skitty Belle, at Thursday Island, on 23rd May. The evidence givsn at the trial disclosed many horrible and revolting details utterly unfit for publication. Gleeson received the ministrations of the Eev. David Ruddock, a Church of England minister, and Moncado was attended by the Rev. Father Bolton, a Roman Catholic clergyman. Both men were more or less restless during the night and neither of them ate much breakfast this morning. About a quarter to eight the irons were knocked off the prisoners, after which the executioners entered the cells and pinioned them. Both submitted quietly to the operations. The hangmen ascended the scaffold, and were shortly afterwards followed by Gleeson, who was escorted by two warders and attended by the Rev. D. Ruddock. Moncado followed between two warders and attended by Father Bolton. Both men walked with a firm step up to the gallows, and stood calmly on the drop exhibiting very little emot'ion, AH having been made ready the bolt was drawn and the unhappy men lauached' into eternity, The drop in each case was about 8 feet, Moncado fell heavily and died after a few convulsive twitches, but Gleeson, who was much lighter, struggled for fully eio\\i minutes, during which time his chest heaved convulsively. It is doubtful, however, whether he suffered any pain. Both men were fully resigned to their fate, and neither showed any fear of death.