The New York herald., 1873-12-23
EXECUTION OF D. E. NESBIIT.
The First Hanging I'm q Canadian
County-End OF an Impious and Inn
penitent Victim OF Rum.

The First Hanging I'm a Canadian
County-End or an Impious and Inn
penitent Victim OF Rum.
LINDSAY, Victoria County, Ont, Dec 90 1s73
To-day there was sent to eternity, with all the
solemnity and severity OF private execution
within gloomy prison walls, David English Nespitt,
man In the prime OF life and physically q splendid
specimen Of the race, for murder committed under
circumstances OF brutality yet tinged with ro-
nance The crime was committed on the morning
Of July II last, when Nesbitt married man, sep
arated from his wife, met on the streets Sarah
Alice Hopwood, with whom he had been consort-
ing They returned to the residence OF her brother
where, after some conversation, in which she re-
fused to 60 for walk and said she wanted nothing
more to do with him, Nesbitt drew q revolver and
fred twice, both shots taking fatal eject.
The tragedy was enacted in q neat cottage In
the outskirts OF the thriving town, and Nesbtt
walked through several streets to o second class
hotel, where he shut himself in a bedroom OF the
third story, after getting glass Of liquor. He was
easily discovered, for the news spread like wild
1re. When captured o re volver, with two bar.
rels discharged, was found on his person. He
acknowledged TO several pers ons that he did 1t
When tried at the Asszes in November last the
evidence against MIN was overwhelming. The de-
fence was tnat he was crazed with drink. The evi-
dence showed that he was accustomed to 90 on
sprees for weeks, when he loss all self control.
James O'RelIly, Queens Counsel from Kingston,
made most eloquent address 10 the jury In the
prisoners behalf, admitting the crime, but urging
the extenuatng circumstance OF drink and jealousy
for mitigation Of the sentence. The jury, after
guilty and the prisoner was sentenced. Before
the sentence was passed he made a long harangue
to the Court, asserting his innocence In most posi-.
tive terms, declaring that the verdict was most
unjust that the woman had shot herself and
aspersing the' character OF several prominent
residents.
During his confinement he has exhibited no feel.
ing or penitence, but frequently cursed in the
most shocking manner, spoke IN disgusting terms
OF women OF respectabllity, and manifested ex-
treme hardlh00d few days previous to his
execution he seemed improved, but never became
pcntent.
He told the Sheriff he would Idle like man,
and on the morning OF the execution conducted him
self according TO tnat idea. he slept we'll appeared
unc0ncerned and dressed himself neatly, though
plainly. He walked firmly rom his cell to the
scan0d, assembled the steps with vigorous action
and calmly surveyed the few spectators who had
been admitted by ticket. He made short address,
Judge and jury set or perjurers and his nnfor-
tunate victim prostitute for her relatives
benefit
lie knelt down without the slightest emotion
while the hangman placed over his head the black
cap and fixed the fatal moose around hts neck The
Prayer said. At the words 'sThy viii be done,n q
bolt being drawn, he fell seven feet, and, without
struggle, he hung l1eess corpse suspended in
the air. An application made by Nesbitts rela-
tves TO the Governor OF Ontario for his body was
refused, and II was inferred under the scafrold,
which has ever taken place In this county or In
this section.