The New York herald., 1879-12-24
THE COMMON HANGMAN.
Sketch of Calcraft, the English
Executioner, by a Friend.
HIS GALLONS ETIQUETTE.
How He. Lived. Prospered and Induced
His patients" to Die.

Calcraft. the English executioner who expired
few days since of sheer old age. q man about
whom the outside world always most curious
but OF whom. outside his official functions little
nothing known save by the select few that had
personal acquaintance with him. All of ridic
ulous tales have been told about Calcraf.. He
was fend that hanged people for the mere enjoy
mcnt Of the british pleasure Of gloatng their
expiring struggles. He had committed
unspeakably awful that his father confessor en-
Joined him that ordinary penance could clean his
soul of it's burden of guilt hence he had undertaken
these awful duties with view OF mentally scourg
ing himself. Others again maintained that Calcraft
had himself been found guilty OF murder, and par
doned consideration Of his. undertaking the duties
of common hangman for life But all this is
OF course. idle talk. The real facts are
that something less than nifty years ago the
then sherins OF the city Of London found
themselves in the unpleasant position OF being left
without hangmsn to ofHciAte at Newgate through
the clashing of executions ut York and London
Calcraft. young shoemaker of some twenty five
years of age. on the evening preceding the execu-
ton happened to call at Newgate with pair OF boots
that he had made for one OF the warders. IS.
HIS FIRST JOB.
The Sherifi's dilemma was ut that moment q fruit.
full source OF discussion among the prison officials,
and Calcraft at once volunteered to undertake the
JOB. At this time the common bangman tho
especial object Of the execrations Of the lower or
ders OF society, and the sheriffs then sitting
Newgate ruefully discussing the immediate prob
ability Of their being themselves compelled to
"do" the culprits to death on the following
morning. Tho young shoemaker's voluntary offer
was eagerly accepted. The next morning. IN the
presence OF howling shrieking multitude of de-
praved wretches Cacraft launched into eternity the
two ma,efac.ors whose legal extinction had caused
such perturbation in the minds of the sherifs. For
period OF close upon fifty years from that date al
most every criminal that sacrificed the shrine
of the offended majesty of the law his death at
the hands OF Calcraft.
HIS CHASTITY PERQUIsIrEs.
For many years after he assumed the position Of
public executioner the position lucrative one
He received $50 for each execution and liberal al.
owance for travelling expenses when the dire work
was performed out Of London. In addition
to this tho clothes OF the culprit, being
part and parcel OF the felons estate for
feited to tho Crown, reverted to the hang
man as his CHASTITY perqusites. These cast-oR gar
criminals readily saable at high prices
to the proprietors Of wsxworK exhibitions. who
pandered then. as now. to the morbid sensibilities
of tho people, Many q five hundred dollars, too
found its way into Calcraft's pocket whom he
choked to death some plutocratic murderer whose
relatives rather than the coat and boots Of their
departed kinsman figuring his efigy in
the stately saloons OF Nine. Tussaud, In Baker
street. or standing cheek-byjo jowl with the Queen Of
Sheba and the Man in the Iron Mask in tho booth
travelling waxwork exhibition: outbid the specula-
! tive proprietors of these establishments Tor the
| possession of the culprit's garments.
| HANGMANs ETIQUETTE
Calcraft established course OF etiquette to be
| observed IN his intercourse with murderers in
which he persisted throughout his career. The
governors of the jas and sheriffs with whom in the
| prosecution OF his CHASTITY profession he came in
contact now and then would attempt to interfere
with his arrangements; but Ca!craft always had his
! own way rs he met all their suggestions and opposi-
ton with his stereotyped and ever eectual
ment-
| you can hang the man yourself"
| 1t the hangmans usual custom to time his
arrival in the town where his deadly work was to be
done to got there late the evening preceding
the execution He would 20 straight from the depot
to tho prison. where, II the then Governor knew
glass Of steaming hot gin and water With slice OF
lemon and liberal allowance OF sugar-for
| hangmen have their favorite beverages-Calcraft
would speedily get his points" from his host for
| the time being. Was the man morose cheerful?
truculent or easily handled? repentant or defiant?
| What his height. weight and on2 Would
| his relatives be present ut the execution? Had
wlse? These were the hangman 8 ..points" having
got which he would retire to the bedroom. which
| sumably sink into peaceful slumbers.
| LAST INTRODUCTION.
| Up betimes the peoples ayenger" would closely
inspect the scafod, that the bolts hinges
the trap worked easily TX rope OF the requisite
length and strength. supply OF which he invariably
| carried with him. and then seeking the Governor
| half an hour before the time set down for the ex-
ecution, carrying in his hand his little black bag
containing his arm ana leg straps. he would blurt
| out
"Now. Governor. I'll get you to introduce me to
| These interviews were. IL possible, moro painful
to the executioncr than to the culprit for strange
though it may appear. Calcraft was of very
kttuav tYrA avdi fnp fltSm .l,at
| could never be induced to see the man whom he
had to operate Oh until tho last moment. aud, fur
| ther. he always especially enjoined the officials
account to notify the prisoner OF his arrival
until he himself walked into the cell. Once in tho
| presence Of the prisoner. until during the last
twelve months of his holding his hateful Office.
when his nervous organization utterly broke down,
| compelling his retirement Cacraft was cool and
seIf-possessod as though he putting the finish
ing touches the toilet of bridegroom instead
adjusting the paraphcrnalia OF ignominious death.
In n remarkable degree. too. this OF st. Crspin
| possessed the power or impxrtng portion OF his
phenomenal seif-possesson TO his hapless charges.
| DEALING WITH TOUGH SUBJECTS.
Already prepared. by consideration OF tho
''points" he had gathered from the prison officials
| hc would complete his diagnosis OF the by q
| rapid survey Of his subject. IL the man was q
brutal rufiian. unterriled by his approaching dis
solution. Calcraft would address him something as
Good morning; my name IA calcraft. You got
| you. You not the first by hundreds that have
turned of. and IL you will take 1t quietly you will
suffer PAIN and really won't know when you dic.
II you to bc nasty you will find 1t rough Job
! ali tho way through. Now want to know whether
| you arc going to behave yourself"
! Brute he might bo the man almost instantly
and invariably cowed before the cold blue eye and
| Jispassionat tones of the common hangman. Az
recently as 1871 in conversation with tho present
writer, the x-hnngplan said that out OF tho hun.
drcds of he had executed he had only TO call In
the assistance OF the adjust tho straps In
six cases. s4
| WITH TREMBLING wRETCHEs.
Very different was Calcrafts manner when hc had
to deal with poor wretch half dead with fright at
the approach OF the terrible ceremony in which no
was to play tho leading part In these cases he
would request the Governor to Introduce him with
out reference to his calling, and taking tho cuprits
! hand, would speak words of kindly sympathy and
urgo him to summon all his fortitude to his aid,
he must shortly expect the arrival of the haugman.
| In way peculiarly his own lie would gradually
break to the doomed tho fact that he in tho
| presence of his cxecutioncr. With this class of
criminals he gentle . woman. and that tho
poor creatures appreciated tho kind words and