Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-07
A Horrible Scene I'm London
Execution of HwO nurderers-
A Desperate Struggle for Life
on the Sea Hold

Execution of TWO Murderers-
A Desperate Struggle for Lif..
on the scaffold.
GFrnm the London papers of the 18th ult ]
London has witnessed two executions
tO-uay-one at Newgate, the other at
HorsemOnger lane Jail. At the former
place, at s o'clock, John Virgins suffered
the extreme penalty of the law for the
murder of Agnes Oakes, a woman with
whom he had cohabited for few months
at his parents residence at Limehouse. On
the morning OF the murder the convict ran
out into the street with his throat cut, de-
claring that his victim had done it, and
then Killed herself.
The crime of Border resembled that of
Virgins only in the fact that he, too, slew
the woman with whom he had cohabited.
He, however, had lived on good terms with
her for many years. Sickness reduced him
to poverty and to a low state of mind, in
which he formed the resolution of murder
Ing all his family, and then committing
suicide. But after cutting his wife's throat
he went no further. He gave himself up
to justice, admitted his crime, and wished
tor death. On Friday he was visited by
the sister and niece of the deceased wo.
man, with whom were his three children.
The youngest was carried i'm the arms of
the eldest, girl about eleven years of age
and all were dressed in deep mourning.
the interview lasted about twenty min
utes, and was of an extremely affecting
nature.
The Sheriffs arrived at eight o'clock.
Having assumed their robes, they waited
the presence Of Mr.. Jonas. the governor of
Newgate, who shortly afterwards appear
ed and informed them that it was time tor
them to see the prisoner piniOned. Accom-
panied by the representatives of the press,
they proceeded through the passages OF
Ino6 fn hn rH
which the convict had to pass from his
cell to the pinion room. Directly after
wards, the condemned man Virgins was
conducted thither by two warders. He
took very little notice of the officials, and
walked arross the open space with a jaun-
ty air and light step. Calcrait was wait
ing for him in the pinioning room, and
Immediately after the prisoner was brought
in he fastened his arms. Virgins submit
ted to this without any attempt at resist
ance. While the eXecutioner was buckling
the straps. he complained once or twice
that the belt hurt him, and exclaimed,
''Oh! don't" Judging by his subsequent
conduct, this was probably mere excuse
to get his hands more at liberty. Calcraft
said, "Very well, very WE'LL" and fastened
the straps in the usual manner. During
the time this was proceeding. the chaplain
the Rev. Mr.. Jones, placed himself in front
of the prisoner, and called upon him to re-
pent, repeating texts of scripture respect
ing the graciOusness of God towards
the penitent. The prisoner. who was evil
IDENTIFY paying little attention to his eXhOr-
tations, repliedonce or twice, "Yes. verv
well-very well.' When his arms wert
pinioned, Mr.. Jonas, the Governor, ,advanc.
ed towards him and asked whether he
wished to say anything. Virgins said that
he wanted to say few words. and that he
should like to do SO on the scaffold. Mr.
f.,I1 h tp,t hat ha
mitted; that even if il were allo we'd, il
would be useless, as the crowd could moi
hear him; but that he might say anything
he wished then. He farther informed him
that there were reporters of the press pre-
sent, who would publish any statement he
might make. He warned him, however
that the time was brief, and that what he
had to say must be short. The prisoner, ad
dressing the reporters said 81 am an entire
ly innocent man of the charge for which
the law condemned me. l can assure you
on my dying oath. that am not guilty.
never did iG. [ can go with clear con
science and clean heart to my Almighty
Maker. 1t was her who cut my throat, ant
then cut her own. l never lifted hand OF
finger to her. On my dying oath, that il
true" A procession was then marshalled
and proceeded through one or two shor
passages to the scaffold.
The prisoner walked with q firm step
and mounted the platform with great de
termination. As he went up the steps HI
looked at the top beam, and observed wher
! the ring was through which the rope pas
ses. Calcraft, who was close beside him, a
once placed the rope over his neck. ant
| then drew the cap over his face. Whil
he was turning it up just over his mouth
| the convict commenced desperate strug
gle to free himself from his grasp. Whel
| the eXecutioner put the rope round hi
fha hnr nd foil in Of
and within reach of his bands. He clutches
this with desperate energy, and the hang
man found it difficult to wrench it from hi
gripe. Wiggins was only five feet thre
| inches high, and not more than about eigh
stone in weight but he possessed consid
erable muscle and it required great fore
to tear the rope from him. When he noun
| ted the drop there was a warder by hi
side, and Mr.. Jonas was standing by tn
| steps. The instant the struggle began. tn
| chaplain left his side, and several of tn
officers sprang up the steps and seized him
They forced the rope out of the culprit'
hand and placed him under the beam. Hav
ing lost the rope, Virgins tried to ben
| himself double, and endeavored to get OF
the drop. to the stationary part of the plat
form. He kept shouting out. 81 am limo
| cent: | am innocent! Don't choke me. Gu
off my head. Don't choke me. Oh! oh!
never did it; am innocent to the last.
The united strength of half dozen deter
mined warders kept him sufficiently quie
for Calcraft to fasten his legs and complet
his arrangements. This dreadful seen
lasted but very short time, as neither th
eXecutioner nor the warders were discon
certed by his violent conduct. The in
slant the rope was fastened to tn
beam Calcraft descended the ladder, whll
the officers standing from off the drop il
SELF firmly held the condemned man upo
it. In an instant after he fell, and deaf
was almost instantaneous. Mr.. Jonas, tn
Governor, thought that the prisoner migf
make some attempt at resistance. and ha
taken precautions which soon rendered ust
less the efforts of the prisoner to free min
self. After hanging the usual time til
body was cut down.