On this page
-
Text (2)
-
E [ of £g2 TBJ; IiE^BJBfR. No. 32 6, Sat...
-
G'0% GCTIfflA<TrOJfc » ' ¦ - EXECUTION O...
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
E [ Of £G2 Tbj; Iie^Bjbfr. No. 32 6, Sat...
E [ of £ g 2 TBJ ; IiE ^ BJBfR . No . 6 , Sattopa 3 £ ,
G'0% Gctiffla<Trojfc » ' ¦ - Execution O...
G' 0 % GCTIfflA < TrOJfc » ' ¦ - EXECUTION OF WILLIAM * PAXMEB * ( Jhw . ow' *^' Cwra !! ^^ Stafford , June 14 ; 1856 . BftFOKK resuming th * thread of my narrative it is- one- * ? eSa ^ t £ eor «* ct two in accuracies that crept into , my fop ^ lafcter & om . this place . It was aa £ d thatPalnwr s JJttle child wasat present living with his . grandmother , " under the , moral surveillance of the noted Jeremiah , It is . satisfactory to , learn that , all connexion has -been , broken off between that graceless individual and the Palmer famil y * Equally incorrect was the statement that the prisoner ' s two brothers took their final leave of
him on Thursday morning . And it maybe most conveniently mentioned in . this place that , although only four reporters -w « re admitted within the gaol , the representatives of- toe press are indebted to Mr . Hatton , the chief constable of the county , for an excellent position Within the ina « r barriers , immediately round the drop : and there were ; at least forty of these gentlemen to be ErovideAfor . Throughout the whole of yesterday , the town of 'Stafford wore the aspect of a great-festal , holiday .. With every trains—and they were incessant—a long line of visitors poured into the streets . All night long
the clatter of heavy shoes was heard on the ever-pointed swan . ' 8-egg . pebbles that stand proxy for pavement . Some came in , carriages and carts , very many by rail * but stfll mow en foot . The rain , indeed , continued to fall , and the surcharged drops falling from the eaves kept up their monotonous patter . The water , stood in little pools , while overhead the clouds seemed as if they were utterly inexhaustible . From Derby , and . Manchester , and Liverpool , from Birmingham , Wolverhampton , and Tamworth , from Chester ,, Shrewsbury , and Worcester , hundreds upon hundreds were ever arriving . But the Potteries and " the black , country" poured forth
their thousands , for at most of the neighbouring , works the operatives had claimed a holiday . Comparatively few persons retired to rest that night , and even these were too excited to sleep . The majority wiled . away the hours :. as best . they could , listening to the discord of wandering ; minstrels , rattling the dice-box , or indulging in- potations deep . So * early as two in the morning the more determined sight-seers took up their posts , and bravely , stood oat " the pelting of the- pitiless rain " through aix long ; weary hours . Very haggard and wan was ; their , appearance , especially of those who came from the Potteries , Thin , s tunted , emaciated creatures , with cavernous checks , hungry jaws , andvacant expression of . the eye . Nor is the shoemaking population of
Staffozdrmeve stalwart or prepossessing . But . never did a more oiderly crowd assemble to witness the extreme penalty of the law . Scarcely any women disgraced themselves by being present , excepting a few respectably dressed females on the scaffolds erected at every point ' which commanded a view of the horrid spectacle . Young children were also prevented , as far as possible , From-ming ling with the throng , and thus not a single accident occurred -worthy of remark . It must be admitted / however ; that the unpropitiou * weather did good service in repelling the less adventurous , but even ' so there- could not have been fewer than 25 , 000 persons or'more than double the entire population of the town collected within a very confined space . About six Umbrellas
o ' clock the r » in came down unmercifully . wewopenedin all direotionB , but only for a few minutes , s ^ frt > m every-poin t a waterspout descended on somebody ' s neek f shoulder , or shirt front . As the fatal hour approached , tte clouds partially dispersed , while a white steanvroseupwards from the well-drenched mob . Perbap & tfcere < mights exhibited something too much of levityv a-toov gr * " * readiness for vacant laughter , and o «««» k « BBtty j a . ( dl 8 pi » eittonfor profane jesting . But there ttiMi nmt ^ iinijr no - ' excitem ent , no thirst for'blood , no violent ) animosity tewards thecriminal * The general feeling ; seemed' rather to be an idle curiosity to behold the'features of a-man who had made himself so notorious , and to observe his bearing at . the last arvful .
moment . The justice of his- sentence was fully admitted , and' most' people- were evidently disposed to endorse Captam Cap ' e opinion of circumstantial evidence . " Ay , ay ! "' said that ' dogmatic old Saltwater , " circumstances ar * tMe tnlrtgs' after all . One circumstance is worth fifty-fatftSi That I know to be the law of the realm ; Many 1 a man has- been hanged on circumstances . " N «" -whtnrb' were any . attempts made to insinuate doubts of the ^ wvetched man' * guilt Placards , indeed ; there were it ^ abtutdancej but these were of a religious tendency , ' JUtfHnvitedtlfelr readers to prepare to meet their <} od . Opcftrairpm « cberft followed ' on the same scent , and the ' diB 8 « trttog oliAfiels were filled with worshippers eager for a flMUJMMoo . " The children' of Momns , or of Mammony ,
havem > t"b * tri less- earnest 'in their way . The theatre hatfbeen opemA all the week , and discriminating audi-« nee *> of hest ^ tyu nty persona—including the galleryhave ^ Bhttddered 11 at" the uncertainty of circumstantial evUMoee o » - ghow ^^ n ^ Othello ' s' condemnation of his Vhjtjtyg ^ wift , or have gloated , ovev the crimes of Robert MatMBtaVand of the "MHtyfand , his Men . " To-night , apparent **! ' as- » compllmeflt'to it * .- Jferemiah Smith , will ! bo jfonVeiented « TBe Idiot , W 4 tew »; a Tale of Blood . "
lVhile-theTvo » ld wagged on tliusimerrily without these prison walls , what , was the demeanour : of : the prisoner Tjvithin his narrow cell £ ., Previous to , his trial ,. Palmer was . a very regular , at- ? tendant at chapel , and by his serious deportment made gather a favourable iroptesaion on the chaplain . This : wasnothingnew i however ,-witbti him . At all times lie . bad been careful to-render Jip-aervice'to his Creator , and seldom had he missed * n opportunity of : taking :. the Sacrament . He kept , as-it wei ^ an aecouirt-current with the registering angel . As a set-off against ^ a ^ forgery- he . took no tea of the sermon : did ihe commit ; murder to-day ,-per contra he partook o £ the Lord ' a Supper on = - the * rnerrow . But after his return from , Newgate he
renounced this transparent hypocrisy , and only twice could be persuaded to attend divine service in the chapel . The Kev * Mr . Goodacre officiated as , usual * in the morning founding his discourse-on the parable of the lost sheep , and in the evening , dilating on . the text , " Let no man deceive himself . " His eloquence and zeal were thrown away . The prisoner only hardened his heart , and turned a ¦ deaf ear alike to his warnings and entreaties . Nor did this ariset from any dislike to the worthy chap-r Iain ' s High Church , predilections , though these were sufficiently strong to cause a refusal of the holy Sacrarment to the unshriven sinner . He had not confessed his crime unto man—man therefore withheld from him
the hope of God ' s mercy . But the Low Church made no greater progress than the High . And even Mr . Wright , the amateur philanthropist , was as . much at fault as the regular divines . It was only on Tuesday that Palmer showed any' symptoms of contrition , and even then the feeling was rather one of regret at having failed and being discovered , than , of sorrow for- having transgressed the laws- of his Creator . On the last morning , indeed , he asked iheJiev . Mr . Sneyd if-a sinner could be saved- who confessed to God , but preserved silence towards men . The reverend gentleman declined to give a positive answer , lest he shonld be thought to encroach upon the divine prerogative of mercy . But after further self-deliberation he returned to the
prisoner ' s cell , and said to . him , You have asked me a difficult and . abstract question . Your- Bible tells you that all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone .. If you persist in proclaiming your innocence when . , you know that you are guilty , you will die with , a lie in your month , and you know the consequences . " The . tears stood for a moment in Palmer ' s eyes , but he quickly recovered , himself , and made no further remark .. On the preceding ? night , . when his
solicitor , Mr . John Smith , of Birmingham , was bidding him a last farewell ,. the wretched man presented , him ¦ with a little volume , entitled " The . Sinner ' B Friend . ' . ' The fly-leaf bears the inscription . in his . usual Inn , . clear handwriting , " The gift of . William Palmer ,. June ISthy 1856 . " By way of prelude . are . two lines , rather remarkable , for . the piety . of their sentiment than-for the harmony of their rhythm j Oh ! where for refuge should I flee , If Jesus had not died for me !
Mr . Smith had come down purposely from London , in compliance with an urgent telegraphic request from Palmer . It was past ten o ' clock before he reached the gaol , where the prisoners brothers , George and Thomas , and his only surviving sister , -were anxiously awaiting him . They had . just taken leave of the criminal , who retained his composure throughout that trying interview . What , passed between Mr . Smith and his client has , been differently narrated . That gentleman eays , Palmer : used nearly these words : " I am innocent of poisoning Cooke by strychnine . All that I have to ask is , that you will have Cooke ' s body exhumed , and see to . my mother and child . " It is observable that he does
aot profess to be innocent , except with reference to the use ; ofi strychnia . As for his mother and child , the former can take very good care of herself , especially now that he himself is prevented from causing her further annoyance ; and the child haa relatives quite as affectionate as the most zealous attorney . The governor , Major Fnlford , tells the tale with some variations . On entering the cell , whither his duty compelled him to accompany Mr . Smith , the governor assured Palme * that anything he might say on family matters would be kept Btrictly secret . Tho other declined the confidence , and hoped that , his words would be published to all the world . All that he wished to do was to expteas his
gratitude to . the' chaplain and the officers of the prison | for their uniform kindness to him , and to protest his innocence-of having , caused Cooko ' a death by stryohiria . i " I trunt , " said the Governor , " that in the awful _ pouition in which , you- are placed , you are not . quibbling . The question is >• ' Ay' or . ' No , ' did you murder Cooke ?" ! " Lord'Campbell /* replied ttie prisoner , " summed up for poisoning by strychnine . " I " Are you guilty of tho murder ? " reiterated the Major . " It is of very little importance how the deed wub done . " 1 "I have nothing more to add ; " answered the other . j" I ! am quite easy in my conscience and happy In my taiind ;" Mr . Smith , and the prisoner , had then some conversation concerning family matters of no public interest . Half am hour afterward * , tho former gentleman took M »
departure ^ ievery . demonstration mental- anguis h . Balmer then drankna little brandy rand-water , and about midnight sank into a refreshing sleep . At half-past twa ; he wasiawakenedby the chaplain ^ who remained by his bedside in prayer until five , o ' clock ,. when a . turnkey entered -with a cup of- tea and asked the prisoner : ' * how hefelfc" "I am quite comfortable , " was .. the careless reply . Abonfchalf-past six , Mr . Goodacre resmned ; hia devotional-jexeroises , in-which . Palmer mechanically joined . Occasionally tears came into his eyes , but hastily brushing them away , he instantly . mastered the rising emotion . In reply to the reverend gentleman ' s urgent entreaties * that he should confess his guilt , the prisoner only repeated his ambiguous asseveration that " Cooke did not die of strychnine . "
At twenty minutes to eight a tall , grey-haired , respectable-looking man , in a long white carter ' frock appeared at the door of the cell . This was . the . executioner , Smith , of Dudley , originally a nailer , and now a higgler by trade * and . for sixteen years maitre des hautes ceuwes for the county of Stafford . Even this ungracious apparition was received' by Palmer with characteristic civility . While his arms , were being pinioned , he merely uttered a request that the cord might not be drawn too tightly . This operation over , the high sheriff , ' Lieut . - Colonel Dyott , entered the cell , accompanied by the chaplain , and asked if be had anything to say—if he
did not acknowledge the justice of his sentence ? " No J " exclaimed the prisoner , with unwonted animation ; " there are certain persons , whose names I will not mention , who are guilty of my murder . I am a murdered man . 1 will never acknowledge the justice of my sentence . " When these gentlemen had retired , Palmer turned to the officers of the gaol and remarked : " You see I have never changed from . what I first said . All I have to ask of you now is to pray for ¦ my child . " Again did the high sheriff and the chaplain visit tho cell , in the hope that the advent of the last moment might shake the constancv of even that most obdurate criminal . And
again * they asked him if his sentence was not a just one ; " It is , not just , " he answered , in a firm and emphatic tone . " Then , " exclaimed the minister of peace and charity , " your blood be upon your own head !" It now wanted only ten mindtes of the appointed hour . The bell began to toll . The note of preparation roused the weary watchers round the scaffold . A suppressed murmur ran through the crowd like an electric shock . Then silently , with outstretched neck and unswerving eye , every man looked anxiously for that dread procession which was' to conduct a bellow-being to the
portal of the unknown world . . The pigeons that had gathered round the tall stack of chimneys in the prisonyard , sheltering themselves from the rain , and curiously eyeing the assembled multitude , now rose into the air as if to scan the meaning of that uneasy movement ; and circling slowly round and round , again alighted on the side of the stack looking towards the scaffold . Still the bell . tolled on , making one ' s - blood creep and : this brain reel , as the purport of its cold , stern , monotonous voice pierced through every nerve *— for every nerve became an organ of hearing . ;
The door of . the cell was , thrown open-: the prisoner set out on : his long exile . An ornamental iron staircase of- at least a dozen steps leads down to the basement story . Dowa these he tripped as lightly as would a schoolboy escaping to thej ) layground . The distance he had . to traverse was not less than a hundred and fifty yards . With a jaunty step he made the " running "—as ho himself would have said—and reached tho foot of the ladder two or three minutes before the appointed time . All this time tho chaplain read aloud the impressive service for the Burial of the Dead ; but hid voice faltered and his frame quivered with emotion . And now ovory head is uncovered , from every lip escapes a stifled exclamation $ and then the ear throbs with the unnatural silence . On tho centre of tho drop , right beneath , tho
beam , there stands William Palmer , erect and unmoved . His face ,. indeed , is aahy pale , but tliore is a smile upon his lips . Is it defiance ? or rathor is it not the shadow of his ancient civility—a trick thoao lying lips have not yet forgotten ? The eyes look puzzled , as if uncertain whether . to regard the strange econe as a reality or a frightful pbantasma . At each : cornor of tho scaffold stands an official , clothed in black , and bearing a long wand inliis hand . Tho chaplain at the foot of the ladder prays ; audibly for tho departing sinner . The bell tolls on , sad , but inexorable . The people bend forward with tlirobbiog hearts and straining eyes , and deem each minute an hour . The pigeons on tho chimney-top plume their feathers , or murmur soft uinorous notes—too low in : tho scale of croation to practiso fraud , forgery , seduction , murder , and the other , pastimes incidental to bemb »
endowed with reason . . And now the hangman grasps tho rope—Palmer benas his head—the noose is slipped over- ^ -liia faco grows , yet more ghastly—his throat throbs spasmodically—I " moves hi « . neck round , as a man with , a tight collaritho , hangman ia hurrying off tho drop—ho Hiuldcnly rethinks him of the cap—turns back—clutohea at u > e criminal ' s riglrt band , aa if asking far pardon— w > a blosa . you , good , by , " sayu the prisoner , in a low ,, ouatinct voioo- ^ -tho cap , ox . whito tug , ia pulled over ; ' »» hoadV-the peak blows . out from his . chin by tho violet and rapid reapirationr-anothor second , tho bolt ia . uraw » r
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), June 21, 1856, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_21061856/page/6/
-