EXECUTION OF GUBTIN.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 725, 8 February 1877, Page 2

EXECUTION OF GUBTIN.

(Prom the " Herald") The moment the clock struck seven on Tuesday morning 1 , the Governor of the Gaol went to the door of the , condemned cell, which was instantly 1 opened. The Sheriff, Colonel Haul- '* tain, and the late Acting Sheriff, j Major Green, to whom the warrant , for Curtin's execution was addressed,

Hook their places upon either side of the entrance to the " penal department." Curtin shook hands with his attendants as he emerged from the " condemned cell." The warders and police, who were to conduct the procession to the scaffold, took up position m fours m front of the penal prison. When Curtin appeared at the door, he felt for an instant something like a " scare" at the number of on-lookers. The sudden flash, of his eyes indicated thus much. It was so momentry and evanescent, that he almost at the same time recognised certain faces and nodded to them familiarly, yet without any appearance of levity or bravado. Neither had he the ap pearauce " of a man who was cowed," or prostrated by mental suffering. ; He was dressed m his own clothes, and looked what he doubtless was— an average specimen of the labouring country settler. The hangman, who wore a blue vail, which* ill-con-cealed his features, passed him and proceeded to the work of pinioning his arms. This functionary was extremely nervous, and this circumstance, which must be a most trying process to a person m Curtin's position, was attended with some trepidation or uncertainty. It evidently annoyed Curtin, for he told the hangman " to be cool," and the •wretched man seemed relieved by the consciousness of the security which the fastening afforded to him. The irons were then taken off his legs. He wore a white felt hat, which was at once replaced by the hideous white bag or cap that id at the last moment pulled over the face of a doomed man. He held his hat firmly m his hand until long after he was hanged, when the joints relaxed and it fell upon the ground under the gallows. From the cell to the scaffold is about forty yards or paces, and this space was traversed m. less than three minutes — the priest leading, holding a crucifix m one hand, and reading . the penitential psalms from his ; breviary which he held m the other. His step was firm and measured. At the steps of the scaffold there was a slight tremor apparent m- his limbs. But he must have recovered from any sense of weakness almost instantly, because he mounted the stairs with a firm and well-timed tread. ; , ■ t.- ■ There was some time occupied m adjusting the rope round the 1 culprit's neck, but he showed ho sign of weakness under this ordeal. He had previously intimated his wish ; to say some" last words," and the 'i opportunity was allowed him to do so. He addressed those who were present m a clear strong voice, as follows : — "God bless us . all I I am very thankful Mr O'Brien, the governor ofthegaoL for his kindness to me, and I- am "thankfall to all his officers. They all treated me very nice, and all the prisoners acted very quiet and very decent towards me. I would like to mention that this was not wilful murder on my. part. " I never intended to kill the man. Nothing of the kind entered i my mind* ■It was done with sticks. ' It was his (Shanaghan's) own fault. He came into Bay place to do acts 1 of destruction. This was the fifth time he came m to do the same • acts. I had no malice against him or any other man living. I thonght to live, honest as well as I could, m my own place. There was no instru--1 ment used—no weapon, no axe. ■ We used uothing of that kind at all. It was a fair stand up fight. I ; could not help it. -■ The man would >' not knock .oft. I never injured him. I told him to knock off several : times. I had nothing to do but to ■ get my banket and leave my place i at once. I never thought to kill him — or anything of the kind. I ! would not like to do it. I had no malice. Lord have mercy on his soul, poor man J lam very sorry I did what I dii I could not help it. lam quite innocent of murder. It was not done m any other way than m a fight. He came to do me destruction. He (Shanaghan) •left his scythe m the road, and would » not go to his work, like an honest man ought. lam thankful to the Heavenly Father; I am thankful to the honest people of Auckland who signed the petition ; I am thankful to Father Macdonald. and to Father Fynes. . ~ | When he had concluded, the Rev ' Father Walter Macdonald presented the crucifix to his lips, which he kissed reverently, the white cap was pulled well over his face, neck, and shoulders ; the bolt was drawn, the violent noise, of the flap doors and the almost noiseless " chuck " of the rope announced the completion, of the doom which offended justice commands against the crime of murder. Tee fall was from six' to eight feet. The new rope had also stretched to an extent which brought the feet of the hanging corpse to within a few inches of the groand. There was no struggle, but allowT ance was made for the fact that Curtin was of light weight, and doubtless the distance of <'drop" was necessary to secure the intended result At all events his death was instantaneous.