The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-26
TEE GALL0wS IN CANADA.
Execution OF John Traviss-Hls Con.
fessiOn.
From the Toronto Leader. Feb o.,

From the Toronto Leader Feb. cal
The FIRST execution which mas taken place within
the precincts OF the new jail took place In the east
ern yard IN rear OF tine jail yesterday morning The
unfortunate victim was the young man John Ira
victed OF the murder oil Mr.. John Johnston, a
farmer residing IN East Gwillimbury. by shooting
shor, distance from the murdered mans house.
The motive prompting the commission OF the crime
appeared 70 be an lllieeling which the murdered
EJn entertained towards 1ravlss and by his saying
something detrimental to the character OF the lat
ter 90 . young girl named Nichols. the daughter Of
farmer residing Ia the nelghb0rhood, and TO whom
Travlss was paying his addresses.
The scanold, which had been prepared in the city,
wall OF the eastern yard In rear OF the building:
me platform was about Dine feet above the level OF
square. and was he'd in It's place BY spring bolt
which was worked NY . lever Beneath tae scaaoid
In order that there might be suniclent fall for the
body. The scanod was assembled by step-ladder
the young man was visited In his cell, which was
on the second Moor oi the eastern wing by his two
sisters, MISS Nichols and four his male relations
wednesday morning atten O'Clock. They renamed
In prayer ana conversation with him until eleven
O'Clock at night, when they took their farewell the
separation OF the prisoner and his friends being OF
the most distressing and heartrendng description.
Mr.. Wiikle. OF The Young mems Christian AssOcia-
ton, with other memoers, the Rev. James Curtis,
Methodist Episcopal Church: the Rev. Mr.. Rice, Bi.
bic Christian Church, and the Rev. Mr.. Hainer
manned In prayer and communion with the prisoner
throughout the Night and until the hour OF his exc
cuti0n. He joined iervenuy IN prayer and ap-
peared to be resigned 70 his fates. but conversed
very little. He was greatly Affected at Intervals al.
lowing his tears to now freely. Shortly after his
friends had gone he retred to rest and slept until
He again went to sleep and slumbered until quar-.
yer past four O'CLOCK when he lett his bed. Alter
those present until n's nOur had arrived.
THE EXECUTION.
Sheriff jarvis and Deputy Sheriff Skinner arrived
AZ tne jan aoout quarter TO nine O'Clock, and i'm
mediatey set about making preparations for the
execution. The Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, DIR. Richard.
son and the executioner proceeded TO the con-
demned mans cell at five minutes TO nine O'Clock,
when the process OF pinioning was gone through.
Tho prisoner then conducted TO the scaffold IN
the yard. where about lty persons were assembled.
including the officers OF the JAIL detachment of
police, and the members OF the press, with few
the unfortunate man assembled the scafrold with
firm step, anu on reaching the platform he came
forward and In tremulous voice made the following
and only shot him, shoot hi: wife
70 so. .noo Ssd as he kept me s% an thing
mh.r has on s ST. Sy .se 1S hope
narrow stream and then shall be home Good6y 'As
He then knelt on the drop, ana the sherill having
and others shook hands with him ana bid nun
long farewell. The hangman then placed the rope
his head, and in another moment the the
drop fell, and the unhappy young man
uS,s into ese RI the Reg James
great frmness throughout and died without strug.
gle, the neck having been broken by the fall, ana
only two or three cOnvulsive movements OF the body
were visible. The eXecutiOner was a man engaged
from the city. He was of rather stout build, with
After hanging an hour the DOdy was cut down, the
usual inquest being held IN the jail before DIR.
Wrgat ana ,a verdct OF Mied oy hanging" re-
the yard beneath the scairold.
TRAvIss' LAST STATEMENT AND HISTORY.
We have been furnished by the Rev. J. J. Rice
with copy OF statement which was made to him
BY IIavlss on Tuesday night, when MIR. Rice re-
ss ~ 5
took advantage BY wokednes. often caused
VOLUNTEERED which ersved mother greatly, but continued
En them and to that step and he bad arising
n %2.s
sss.sf aSs
s -ss ~ s aA. well %:a, SA M;
ss,a Susa from n'a n. II ny assf
s s. 70 MED @ sn he
%ssa na9
E,,.Dsn N1shol. Daughter Of Mr. John Nieho. lived
ss nc ). my going H T. NJ,
long was IN the habit q going
g Mr. until
N.Y. and for !s
sssn 10 every way o aaa out what
Johnston had been saying; but to this day /
never could. a. Libby was afraid to tell II would
Thines way after left Johnstons until the
9sd Of November. feeling against him ncreasng
time. This day took pistol In my POCKET on leaving
home and thoughts OF revenge certainly
take to get satsacton. That evening went to revival
meeting In the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr.. Nichols
family were there, but did not speak them the
second singing OF Mr. JohDsons and game
60 in and stop the night to which assented. This
about nine O'Clock and the family did bed until
near twelve. There was not much said by Mr. and Mrs
Johnston to me. and retired with usual kindly feel
ing for the young people aud still with revengefu feelings
about eight O'Clock Johnston started in the sleigh
Queensvle, and mile OF the road the
recon wanted to 60 jumped In the sleigh believe
he would have ordered me OUT but he knew would co.
20 we vent tired to nnd out what he had said about
me 1t Mr. Nichols, but he satisfaction and felt
desperate Az TO where intended leave, near
sisters place. in the act OF stepping out,
foot still IN the Sleigh when turned half
charged the pistol Just behind his which took fatal e
teuon He Immediately dropped down In the Sleigh the
% my sisters and told her what had happened.
The reason I mentioned the facts TO my
fend life against the officers Of Justice. should
have to kill more people, ultimately be shot
dog without the hope of salvation and that change
mind and resolved to ofe resistance
dor Returning my other two up q cutter,
and stood speaking TO them three officers approached
and informed me they had for go Johnsons
stepped into the cutter and OFF, following
ing the inquest At nine O'Clock haudcufed and the
hext day taken 70 Toronto. Subsequent matters have
already uanspred through the columns OF the press
I'm Ann cvx6n