Morris tribune., 1880-12-16
HARDWOOD THE HANGMAN.
An Interview With the Celebrated Execution
er of London.

An Interview With the Celebrated Execution
err of London.
After the execution of the Rotterdam
murderer recently, reporter interviewed
Marwood, the executioner. The report says:
''It was grand execution! Wood never
moved even finger" were the first words
uttered when he entered the room where a
number of persons were assembled: Il
gave him the long drop, nine feet four in
ches, and he died as peacefully as lamb. !"
"What is your reason for having such
long drop?" some one asked.
Lifting up his hands and raising his eyes,
he exclaimed in dramatic tones: 1T is hu-
name, and saves suffering; the man dies in
stantly."
He had not seen Wood before he met him
in the cell few minutes before the execu-
ton, but when he did see him he was very
unfavorably impressed with his face. He
thought him q cold hearted, callous man,
and was confident of his guilt. In reply to
question respecting the rope, he called for
his bag. His visitors held their breath
while he slowly unfastened the leathern
straps which were around it, applied the
key to the lock, opened the bag, and brought
out its contents, which proved to be two
ropes and few pinioning straps. One rope,
a thick one, measuring about three inches
/
had used around the neck, the preceding
morning, of the Alvesbury murderer, and
with which he had also executed Wood.
The other was smaller rope, perhaps an
inch in circumference. 1t was curious
sight to behold Marwood contemplating the
ropes. He gaZed upon them smilingly,
fondly handling them as tender as mother
would handle baby, connolseur piece
of rare china, young lady bonnet of the
attest fashion.
This rope" said he, holding up the
thickest, lis the rope; it is made of the
finest Italian hemp; it is the rope of the
good old times" Here he grew rather elo-
quent and earnest, and, with emphasis
added: This rope is made specially for me
and it is supplied by the Government
Look how beautiful and smooth it is; fee
it; it's q real beauty"
beauty.
Don't be frightened Of it; there are NJ
blood stains on it," He said this because
it was being very closely and critically ex
amined. 81 never shed blood, and neve
yet broke the skin of my patients.
Speaking of his predecessors in the exc
cution line, he said their great fault was tina
they id not study their profession scien-
tifcally. When he became the public exc
cutioner, hanging was nothing but theory
little understood, and he proceeded to ex
plain the art of successful and pleasant
,, hanging In the old days of short drop
man suffered greatly, but since he inaugur
, ated the long drop, death is instantaneou
! and pleasant He has abolished vulga
f sufocation and strangulation. He now dis
> locates the neck, sewers the spinal cord, an
creates no pain. Death is like a flash o
lightning
81 like the reporters" he subsequent
remarked, "and think the press ought al
ways to be admitted to executions. The
represent the public, and the public shout
be informed Of what occurs at executions
am kept busy. 1 hang from twenty t
thirty every year. am not paid by salar
, nor by the Government. The Sheriff pay
= me, and am paid very well. -
He was asked what he did in his leisur
hours: ''Well, have a nice garden 8
y Horncastle, to which pay some attention
:. When have business London way go
L church. Spurgeon is my favorite preacher
!. 1 always go to hear him-he is grand mar
Sometimes go to hear DIR. Parker at tn
City Temple and at other times I go an
. hear Dean Stanley. I am not Wesleya
4 once was. I lifelong to the whole Church
g, not to any Sect"