Star.
London, England, 1829-01-21 00:00:00

EXECUTION AT THE OLD BAILEY.

This morning were mewed, at the frolic of Newgate
James Coleman, aged 33, for coining, and James
Wheeler, aged 21, one of the Bethnal-green gang, for
highsysy robbery, on the sth of November last.—
Wheeler's offence was one of peculiar atrocity, a gang
of ruffians, known by the title of "The Bethnal-green,"
having mounted one of their companions, dressed as a
Guy Fawkes, started through the City, and plundered
in the most outrageous manner a great many persons,
and in these acts Wheeler was proved actively to have
participated.
Coleman was apprehended at a miserable lodging near
the Commercial Road, by the officers employed by the
Mint, in the very act of colouring base metal, to ;mi.
tate the shilling coin of the realm.
At a quitter before eight o'clock the Under Sheriffs
arrived at Newgate, 'and were conducted by Mr.
Wontner to the Press-yard. Coleman shortly after was
brought from an upstairs room ; he was a man of short
stature, extremely thin, and miserably dressed; he
looked with a sunken eke, and fsale•wan countenance
upon the group of pert ins befo e him, and suffered his
aims and hands to he tied without a single observation.
That being over he was led to a bench, where he sat
down, and closing his eyes, his lips appeared to move as
if in prayer. 'Mr. Cotton spoke some words of religious
hope and coosolation, and be bowed his head as if' in
perfect resignation.
Wheeler was then led into the room. He was an
athletic hardy In king young fellow, and no doubt when
without the range of such a dismaying prospect as was
then before him, would perpetrate any act of despera-
tion without fearor hesitation. He appealed more firm
than his fellow sufferer, and once or twice said, .1 I wish
it was over—l am quite ready."
As the Church chicks tolled the hour of eight, they
were removed from the room, and the Sheriffs pro-
! ceeded to the scaffold. Wi eeler several times en
claimed, as lie walked through the prison avenues,
" LOED have mercy. on me!" " Carota . have mercy!"
" Oh Gov, be merciful to a poor miserable sinner !"
A mistake was discovered just as Coleman was about
to ascend the scaffold—the law requires, in cases of
coining, that the convict should be drawn on a hurdle;
it was, therefore, necessary to bring him back to the
extreme leitcl of a long passage, where a small car upon
wheels was placed; into this he was put, and the two'
executioners drew him to the foot of the scaffold
through the interior of the prison; he was then placed
upon the drop. His countenance assumed an ashy
hue, and he shook violently. The cap was immediately
drawn over his face, arid the rope was adjusted.
Wheeler was next placed by his side, and appeared to
pray w ith great fervour. He closed his eyes, as if un-
willing to look upon the crowd, among which were
some of his companions, who cried out, .1 Good bye,
Jem Wheeler; good bye—Goo Weis you, Jem." Some
women were heard screaming and were weeping bitterly.
The Reverend Mr. Cotton read the conclusion of the
funeral service, during which Coleman groaned once
or twice. The signal was given, and the drop falling
from beneath their feet, they were launched into
another world. Wheeler struggled for some seconds,
but Coleman died instantaneously.
The morning was bitterly cold, yet the crowd
assembled was very great. The execution was all over
by a few minutes past eight.

Yesterday a military funeral excited considerable
interest in Maidstone. It was that of Mr. Campbell,
Surgeon of the Cavalry depots here,who'died last week.
Sir John Browne, and the officers of the Depot, with
about one hundred and sixty men of the several
Depots, attended to pay the last military honours to the
dec .asvd, who was much respected.
The last active part taken by the late Sir WILLIAM
CURTIS in the affairs of the house of which he was the
head, was during the panic in 1826, when be attended
for snme days in person, and much assisted to restore
confidence by the hearty and cordial manner in which
he pressed bis customers to withdraw their deposits.