The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-01 00:00:00

EXECUTION OF KELLY, THE
BUSHRANGER.

The Melbourne Age gives the following account of the final
act in the career of Edward Kelly, the murderer of the police
in the Wombat Ranges, which closed on Thursday, Nov. 11,
when he paid the last dread penalty of the law within the
precincts of Melbourne Gaol :

At the time appointed for the execution an immense
crowd assembled in the road in Victoria-street, front-
ing the gaol. They stared vacarttly at the walls of
the building, and engaged in conversation. There
was no demonstration. The condemned man
went to bed at half-past one a.m. on Thurs-
day morning. He was very restless up to half-
past two, when he fell into a sound sleep, in
which he remained until five a.m. He then got up
and went on his knees, and prayed for twenty
minutes, after which he aga.inlay down. The prisoner
did not partake of breakfast, that being contrary to
the direction of his spiritual advisers, Deans
Donnelly and O'llea. During the morning these'
reverend gentlemen administered the last rites
of the Chnreh to the condemned man. Promptly
at ten o'clock Colonel Redo, the sheriff, came forward
in his official dress and demanded the body of
Edward Kelly. Mr. Castineau, the governor of the
gaol, led the way to the condemned cell, where
the prisoner was confined. The spectators pre-
sent, including officers and warders, did not exceed
fifty in number. Upjohn discharged the duties
of hangman. Prior to his being bxought out
of the cell Kelly said, "You need not pinion me,
I will go forward quietly ; " but the usual course of
fastening the prisoner's arms was observed. At a few
minutes after ten the prisoner was led out of the con-
demned cell, his spiritual advisers repeating the
prayers for the dying. Kelly was visibly impressed
with the awful nature of his position, but he stood
firmly on the drop. The day being bright, the warm
summer sun had penetrated through the gaol windows
and made itself felt on the long, cold, and gloomy cor-
ridors. It was such a day as would make a young man
in the prime of manhood and in the full bloom of
health keenly realise till dearness of life. Kelly evi-
dently felt it, but displayed no levity or bravado. He
had intended to make a speech, but he uttered no
audible sound. While the prayers were yet being said,
the condemned man glanced at the sky, the cap was
drawn over his face, the signal given, and he went to
his .account. Prayers were continued after he was
dead. An inquest was subsequently held, and a
formal verdict, according with the acts, returned.
Death must have been instantaneous. The spinal
solumn was dislocated. Muscular action continued
for many oeconde after the bolt was drawn,

THE REV. 'H: W. BEECHER ON THE

ANTI- SEMITIC AGITATION.

A Re:uter's telegram from New York says that
.the
press and the clergy continue to denounce in severe
terms the anti-Jewish agitation in Germany. Pro-
minent clergymen of the Baptist, Congregationalist,
and Unitarian denominations have joined in the
protest. Among the eminent preachers who discussed
the subject on Sunday last was the Rev. Henry.
Ward Beecher, whose remarks are printed by the
leading journals,..and from which the following pas-
sages afè taken
f ;
Auferioa has iipectitrr.eisons to' jolts the remonstrance now
being made, for we ale Imre heavily indebted to 'the Jews
than all the other nations of the world together. We had
hoped that such persecution was ended, and of European
nations we had believed progressive Germany would be the
last to abet such injustice. For the Germans to confess loudly
that they fear the Jews as their superiors, shows weakness
and excites surprise. If that were true in America my
pride would never set me say it. In this country, if the
Jew, with a fair field and no favour, can surpass the Chris-
tian; let him do it, but the confession coming from proud
people like the Germans is hu:niliating. If the Jews, who
Obey German laws and have no better advantages than their
German compatriots, are doing better than they, it is God's
message to the Germans to rouse themselves up and do
better. The petition against the Jews circulated in
Germany, in whatever light we view it, is pitiable.
It is a disgrace to a nation that we esteem great.
The world has travelled too far for such perse-
cution to last for any length of time, and no nation can with
impunity commit the crime which will he charged to the
Germans if they continue it. I suggest that a respectful
remonstrance to Prince Bismarck be drawn up and signed
by the members of the Mirth and society, and I- would say
to every man in Germany—" Stand fast for liberty; treat the
Jews as you would treat the countrymen of Him ht whom we
hope and from whom you expect salvation."