The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-29
FIRST EDITIO N
ADDITIONAL FOREIGN NEWS.

Sf RwO Murderera-A Desperate SGrugs
gle for Life ON the scanOId-Yhe M0b at
the Gid Bailey.
From the London papers Of the 1871.
London has witnessed two executions to-day,
ono at NewgRte, the other at HoTsemonger Lane
Jail. At the former place, at O'Clock, john
Virgins suffered the extreme penalty of the law
FOR the murder of Agnes Oakes, woman with
whom he had cohabited for a few months at his
parents residence at Limekouse, On the mern-
ing OF the murder the convict ran out into the
street with his throat cut declaring that his
victim had done it and then killed herself,
The crime of Border resem bled that OF Wig
gins only In the fact that he too, slew the woman
with whom he cohaeited. He, however, had
lived on good terns with her for many years.
'Siokpess reduced him to poverty and 10 low
state of mind, In which be formed the resolu-
'ton OF murdeTing all his family, and then com
gnitting suicide, But after cutting his wifes
throat he went no further. He gave himself up
to justice, admitted his crime, and wished for
death. On Friday he was visited by the sister
and niece of the deceased woman, with whom
were his three children. The youngest was car
ried in the arms of the eldest, girl about
eleven years of age; and all were dressed in deep
mourning. The interview lasted about twenty
minutes, and was of an extremely affecting
The sherihs arrived at O'clock Having
assumed their robes, they waited the presence
of Mr. Jonas, the Governor of Newgate, who
shortly afterwards appeared and informed them
that It was time for them to see the prisoner
pinioned. Accompanied by the representatives
OF the press, tney PROCEEDED tnrOugn the pas
sages OF the prison leading to the yard across
Winch the convict had to pass from his cell to
the pinioning-room. Directly afterwards the
condemned man, Virgins, was conducted thither
by two warders. He took very little notice of
the officials, and walked across the open space
with a jaunty air and light step. Calcraf was
waiting for him in the pinionng-room, and i'm
mediately the prisoner was brought in he fastened
his arms. Virgins submitted to this without any
attempt at resistance. While the executioner
was 6uckling the straps, he complained once
tvuioa fhat4 4ha holt hrrf i'm md
''Oh! don't" Judging by his subsequent con
duct this was probably mere excuse to get his
hands more at liberty. Calcratt said, VERY
usual manner. During the time this was pro-
ceediDg, the chaplain the Rev. Mr.. Jones, placed
himself in front OF the prisoner, and called upon
him to repent, repeating texts of Scripture re-
specting the graciousness of God towards the
penitent. The prisoner, who was evidently pay
ing little attention to his exhortations, replied
once or twice, Eyes; very well--very WELL"
When his arms were pinioned, Mr.. Jonas, the
Governor, advanced towards him and asked
whether he wished to say anything. Virgins
said that he wanted to say few words, and
that he should like 10 do so on the scaffold.
Mr.. Jonas told him that this could not be
permitted; that even if it we're allo We'd il would
be useless, as the crowd could not hear him;
but that he might say anything he wished then.
lie further informed him that there were re-
porteIs of the press present, who would publish
any statement he might make. He warned him,
however, that the time was bret and that what
he had to say must be short. The prisoners ad-
dressing the reporters, said:-''l am an entirely
innocent man of the charge for which the law
condemned me. | can assure you, on my dying
oath, that am not guilty. l never did It,
can go with clear conscience and clean heart
to my Almighty Maker. 1t was her who cut my
throat and then cut her own. never lifted
hand or finger to her. On my dying oath, that
is true" A procession was then marshalled,
and proceeded through one or two snort pas"
sages to the scaffold. The prisoner walked with
a firm step, and mounted the platform with
great determination. As he went up the steps
he looked at the top of the beam, and observed
where the ring was through which the rope
passes, Calcraft, who was close beside him, at
once placed the rope over his neck, and then
drew the cap over his face. While he was turn
ing it up Just over his mouth, the convict COM
menced desperate struggle to free himself
from his grasp. When the eXecutloner put the
rope round his neck, the other end fell IN front
of Virgins, and within reach OF his hands. de
clutched this with desperate energy, and the
hangman found 1t difficult to wrench 1t from his
grippe. Virgins was only five feet three
inches high, and not more than nan
he possessed considerable muscle, and 1t re-
quired great force to tear the rope from him.
When he mounted the drop there was
by the steps. The instant the, struggle began
the chaplain left his side, and several of the
officers sprapg up the steps and seized him.
They forced the rope out of the culprt's hand,
the rope, Virgins tried to bend himself double,
and endeavored to get off the drop to the sta
tlOnary part oil the plauoIm. he kept sDOuLlng
out, 81 am innocent / am innocent Don't
choke me. Cut off my head Don't choke me.
oh oh l never did 1t; l am innocent to the
last" The united strength of half-a-dOzen deter
mined warders kept him sufficiently quiet for
Calcraft to fasten his legs aud complete
his arrangements. This dreadful scene
lasted but a very short time, as neither the
eXecutioner nor the warders were Disconnected
by his violent conduct. The instant the rope
was fastened 10 the beam, Calcraft descended
the ladder, while the officers, standing from of
the drop itself, firmly held the condemned man
upon it. In an instant after he fell, and death
was almost instantaneous. Mr.. Jonas, the Gov
ernor, thought that the prisoner might make
some attempt at resistance, and had taken pre-
cautions which soon rendered useless the efforts
of the prisoner to free himself After hanging
the usual time the body was cut down.
Last night the unhappy man slept compara-
lively well. He rose early, and was attended
by the chaplain. BE ate good breakfast, and
conducted himself with much spirit. No sats-
factory remarks can be made respecting his
frame Of mind.
The mob which crowded the Old Bailey aud
It's approaches behaved on the whole better than
such crowds usually do. There was some hoot
Ing and groaning when the struggle took place
whether this was demonstration against sup
posed want of "manliness"-the term in favor
Win the mob-or otherwise was not very clear.
@ mnen the struggle had ceased, the crowd dis
Bordier was executed at 10 O'clock, in the
Piesence OF large crowd, many of whom haC
Witnessed the revolving scene at the Old Bailey
THE REBELLION IN CHINA.
AnheCy AT Pskin-AM Imperial EdIct
from the EmperOr-NO Quarter by tn,
Rebels
Great anxiety is said to be felt az pelr,n NV tb,
Chinese Government, owing to the presence n