The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-09
MARWOODTHE HANGMAN.
An Interview With the Celebrate Execute

An Interview With the Celebrate Execution
er of London.
After the execution of the Rotterdam
murderer. recently, reporter interviewed
harwood, the executioner. The report says:
1T 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: II
gave him the long drop, nine feet four in
cnes, ana ne 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: SsIt is hu-
name, and saves suffering; the man dies in
stantly"
de 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 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 al
inch i'll circumference. 1t was curious
sight to behold Norwood contemplating the
ropes. He gazed upon them smilingly,
fondly handling them as tender as mother
would handle baby, connoiseur piece
of rare china, a young lady bonnet of the
latest fashion.
''This rope" said he, holding up the
thickest, els 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; feel
it.; it's real beauty"
beauty.
''Don't be frightened of it; there are no
blood stains On it." He said this because
it was being very closely and critically ex-
amined. Il never shed blood, and never
yet broke the skin Of my patients"
Speaking Of his predecessors in the exc
cution line, he said their great fault was that
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 q
man suffered greatly, but since he inaugur-
ated the long drop, death is instantaneous
| and pleasant" He has abolished vulgar
suffocation and strangulation. He now dis
locates the neck, sewers the spinal cord, and
creates no pain. Death is like flash of
lightning.
Il like the reporters" he subsequently
remarked, *and think the press ought al
ways to be admitted to executions. They
represent the public, and the public should
be informed Of what occurs at executions.
I am kept busy. I hang from twenty to
| thirty every year. I am not paid by salary
nor by the Government. The Sheriff pays
me- and am paid very we'll"
He was asked what he did in his leisure
hours. 'sWell, I have nice garden at
Horncastle, to which pay some attention.
When have business London way go TO
church. Spurgeon is my fayorite preacher.
I always go to hear him-he is a grand man.
Sometimes go to hear DIR. Parker at the
City Temple and at other times I go and
hear Dean Stanley. am not Wesleyan
Il once was. belong to the whole Church,
not to any Sect"