Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-27
EXECUTION OF PIPER, THE
BELFRY MURDERER.
His Death is Instantaneous.
The Appearance of the Muir
derer on the GalloWs.

Boston, MAY 26. The execution of Thomas w.
Piper, formerly sexton of the Warren Avenue
Baptist church in this city, took place at Charles
street Jail, this morning. Piper was convicted
last February On second trial, of the murder of
Mabel Young, a child of five years IN the tower
of the Warren Avenue church, on the 23i of May
1875. He stoutly denied the crime before and
after the conviction, and only on the 9TH OF this
month, after a series of false confessions, finally
acknowledged that he not only killed the child,
but murdered Bridget Landergan on the 9Th of
December, 1873 and attempted to kill girl
named Mary Tyner, besides other crimes, inclu-
ding incendiarism and theft. His record stamps
him a moral monster Exceptional cursng and
brutality.) lie attributed his tendencies 10 the
use of liquor and narcotics.
Piper passed the night calmly and collectedly,
retiring soon after the departure of his pastor,
about 10 o'clock, and slept until nearly this
morning. He breakfasted lightly, and passed the
hours intervening before the return of his spirit
ual adviser IN meditation and prayer. and while
in company with the latter manifested the same
wonderful calmness that has characterized his de-
mesnor the past few days. Soon after 10 o'clock
ACCOMPANIED by DR.. Eddy, Uncle Cook, Chaplain
of the jail, and deputy sheriff. he conducted
to the parlor of the sheritf's residence, where
brief religious exercises were held there being
present the legal witnesses, physicians and re-
porters. The hymn beginning There is foun-
tain filled with blood, was sung, after which Dr..
Eddy read portion of scripture, following with
a brief and fervent prayer.
During the services Piper occupied seat on the
sofa, IN reclining position, very pale, but mani
tested no emotion, except when reference was
made in prayer to his family.
AT 10 80 the sheriff appeared at the door fol-
lowed by Piper, who was supported on either side
by Or. Eddy and officer of the Jail. He was
exceedingly pale, but otherwise manifested little
10 indicate any feelings of fear or trepidaton.
Passing quickly across the area of the court, he
was led up stairs to the platform by the officers,
and when seated the sheriff began the reading of
the death warrant, during which Piper's legs
were pnioned, cap adjusted, and as the last words,
"God have mercy upon your soul were uttered,
the chair having been removed, the deputy spi ung
the trap, the body fell distance of eight feet,
ane after spinning around violently for a few Sec
onds, renamed perfectly motionless. The fall
injured the odontod process, causing instant
death.
The drop fell at exactly 10 3d. and after hang
ing fifteen minutes it WAS examined by Physicians,
and life pronounced extinct, aud while the clock
was tolling eleven, it lowered TO the floor
and placed upon stretcher. The execution was
conducted with great decorum and crowd of
several hundred which filed the galleries, mani
tested deep appreciation Of the soemnty of the
event.
The execution Of Piper has attracted universal
interest, resulting both from the nature and num-
Der of his crimes so that the press of applicants
for tickets of admission has been greater than at
any other similar occasion, even for many years.
Outside the Jail there was mob OF several hun.
dred, who hailed the announcement of the execu-
ton with pleasure.
Arrangements for Pipers funeral have not been
definitely decided upon, but it will be held at the
residence of his family at Boston Highlands, and
will be strictly private