The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-04-12 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

On Monday, a decent looking man was charged before the
Rev. Mr. Matthias, at the Lambeth-street Police-office, with
having wilfully extinguished one of the public gas-lamps on
Sunday evening.
A witness proved that she saw the prisoner put his back to
the lamp-post and shake the light out.
The defendant, in reply to the charge, said that the fact was,
that he had put on a new flannel shirt that morning, which an-
noyed him a good deal in the course of the day, and feeling an
extreme itchiness in his back, he placed it against the-lamp-
post for the purpose of removing so unpleasant a sensation,
and while endeavouring to cause it friction, he might have
shaken the post so as to extinguish the light. He added, that
his wife and another "lady," who were with him at the time,
were in attendance, and would testify the truth of what he
stated, and that he did not extinguish the light from any act of
wantonness on his part.
The Rev. 'lllr. Matthias—You say your wife was with you?
Defendant—Yes, sir.
Mr. Matthias—Then, why did you not get her to scratch your
back for yOll ?—(Laughter. )
Defendant—l did; but she did not half do it—so I tackled
the lamp-post.—(Much laughter.)
Mr. latthias—Well, if it is as you state it, you had better
step out and make the lamplighter some compensation for what
you have done, and the trouble you have given to him.
The parties then withdrew and settled the matter.

EXECUTION OF WILLIAM CLAYTON, -FOR

M URDER.

(From the Nottingham Journal.)
On Tuesday last, the execution of William Clayton the
younger, for the murder of Mr. Samuel Kay, aged 41, of Sot-
ton, in the parish of Sutton-cum-Lound, near East Retford,
took place upon the new drop in front of the Shire Hall.
Clayton was born at Bulwell, near this town, about eighteen
years ago, where his father carried on the business of a tailor.
During the latter part of last week, Clayton looked forward
to his fast approaching ignominious fate with comparative forti-
tude and composure.
On Sunday morning, in consectuence of a letter received
from the office of the Secretary of State, the melancholy tidings
were communicated to the prisoner, that his execution must po-
sitively take place on the following Tuesday morning. The an-
nouncement effected little or no change in his demeanour; he
had evidently anticipated the worst, and seemed desirous to
prepare for the last scene of his mortal agony. In the after-
noon of Sunday, divine service was performed in the chapel
of the gaol, by the chaplain. When the preacher, in his dis-
course, alluded, in the most feeling terms, to his approaching
death, the unhappy man was deeply affected; and the dreadful
anguish of his soul was evidently depicted in his countenance,
notwithstanding the efforts by which his wonted firmness strove
to suppress the manifestation of his mental sorrow. Several of
the prisoners and attendants were much affected during the ser-
vice.

On Monday evening, Clayton took an affecting leave-,tf his
father, aunt, and youngest sister; and up to two o'dock on
Tuesday morning, he employed himself in attending to his re-
ligious duties, and in writing letters. He said Monday had
been the happiest day he had spent since his condemnation.
He slept between three and four hours, and at six oclock was
visited by Dr. Wood and the Rev. J. Brookes, who continued
with him nearly an hour.
At half,-past seven the culprit was removed into the-turnkey's
lodge, where he was pinioned, and a few minutes were spent in
prayer. On reaching the body of the hall, and coming in sight
of the drop, he stood and looked upon it, as though he was per-
fectly willing to proceed to it; a seat, however, waspointed out to
him, which he took for a few minutes, and on bearing the three-
quarters strike by St. Mary's church clock, supposing it was
eight, he rose to go upon the scaffold. He was told he had fif-
teen minutes longer to remain, which were occupied in convers-
ation, but in a tone little higher than a whisper. During this
period he gave Mr. Brookes a letter, which he had written.

On being asked if he had any further confession to make, or
anything more to express, or that he wished to be done, he said
" No ; " and in answer to questions put by Dr. Wood, he de-
clared that he expected pardon only through the merits of
Christ—that he died without malice or to any person in
the world—and that he placed his confidence in Jesus Christ,
because he had promised him support in the Holy Scriptures.
As the church clock struck eight the procession moved; and on
reaching the scaffold, Mr. Brookes came forward, and said that
he had been desired by the prisoner to say a few words to the
people, and to read the following address, which he had written
and given himself the night before to Mr. Brookes. We give
a literal copy :

" I whish all to attend to my last words I am guilty of the of-
fence I have had no hapiness since all sin is bitter I hope I am
sorry for my sin before God he has given me peace such as I
never had before 0 take warning from me and avoid Sabbath
breakeing drinking swaring whoring & all sins for thes has
brought me A untimely end
"William Clayton."
During this period, and while the rope was adjusting, Clay-
ton stood composed, and apparently engaged in silent prayer.
All being ready, the signal was given, and at ten minutes past
eight the drop fell—his neck was instantly broken, and he died
almost without a struggle. After hanging the usual time, his
body was removed for interment in the upper felon's yard. On
the wall at the foot of the grave are cut the following letters
and figures—" W. C., 1833."

The concourse of people assembled on this occasion was not
so numerous by several thousands, as at the execution last year
after the Special Assizes; and little or no sympathy appeared
to be excited by the young man's fate.

DUNKELD.—There died lately at Murthly Castle, man of
the name of James Anderson, a complete eccentric both in his
person and his manners. Jamie was rather more than four feet
in height; with legs and feet which bore more resemblance to
those of a water-fowl than of a man. For the last threescore
years Jamie filled the post of `fool," at Mud hly Castle; and
likewise those of errand-boy and hen-keeper. Although he was
a "fool," Jamie was by no means deficient in talent for looking
after his own interest, as the "substance" he left after his death
testifies; he had likewise read a good deal, and retained a great
portion of what he did read on his memory. While iu the en-
joyment of good health, Jamie was by no means fond of visitors
entering his private domicile, but for a short time before his
death he was confined to bed, and had to permit some of the
servants to attend him. At his desire they commenced a search
through the room, and found in a box filled with candle-ends,
newspapers, Sic., bank-notes to the amount of £300; in a cor-
ner of the room, buried among rubbish, they discovered a bag
containing £2O in silver; and about his bed they found I:50 in
bank-notes, and a bank receipt for £3O; which, with £2O in
specie got in his great-coat, amounts to £426, of which he left
by will twelve pounds per annum to a brother of his own, who
has been for some time in a destitute state, and the remainder
to his near relations.

After manypostponments, Mr. Wilson Patten succeeded, on
Wednesday, in bringing forward his motion for a commission
to collect evidence with respect to the employment of children
in factories; and, after a long debate, it was carried by a ma-
jority of one. We need scarcely add, that we rejoice in this
result. We rejoice in it, because it will afford the factory own-
ers an opportunity of repelling the calumnies to which they
have been subjected for two or three years; and because the
question will now be placed before the public in all its bearings.
The opinions of medical men will be met by facts ; and we have
no doubt that the result of the approaching investigation will
be to relieve the public mind of the load of misconception which
the publication of the ex-parte evidence of the Commons' com-
mittee has produced.—Manchester Herald.