Morning journal and courier., 1881-08-12
Murder of nn Englishman in TeneriRe

Murder of mn EngIishman in Teneriffe.
 correspondent of the London Times writes under date, Porto de Orotara, July IT:
 ''The execution of two Spaniards, Pedro Armas and Manuel Brito, for the murder of an Englishman two and half years ago, took place on the 2d of July, in the port of Oro- tara, Teneriffe, Canary Islands. The murder was one of the most horrible and cold blood ed ever committed. It appears that the vlc- tim, Mr. James William Morris, was employ ed in an English house of business at Port Orotara, and was on very intimate terms with the two murderers, so much so that it is supposed he informed them that he carri- ed the keys of safe in which was deposited a large sum of money. This excited their cupidity, and one evening they entlced the unfortunate man to an unfrequented spot short distance from the town, near cemete- ry, and there, while quietly walking along together one threw handful of lime into his eyes, and after knocking him down with heavy stick they both stabbed him. After ransacking the body, taking, among other things, the keys of the safe, they carried his body into the cemetery, and, opening tomb, threw in the body then, after closing it, they sat down on the stone to smoke cigar, one remarking that Morris could not com plain, as they had given him Christian burial. Unfortunately for them when replacing the stone that covered the tomb they broke off 8 small piece from the corner, and four days afterwards blind boy who was attending funeral was attracted to the tomb by the strong smell of decomposition and the peo- pie with him observed several flies issuing from hole in the corner. The authorities were informed of it and caused the stone to be raised, when Morris body was found in a state of decomposition. The money hay ing been stolen from the safe, suspicion fell upon Pedro Armas and Manuel Brito, as both of them had a bad reputation and were |. E.so l., murdered man. Strong and conclusive evil dence of their guilt having been brought against them, they were arrested, tried and sentenced to death. They were then sent to prison to await confirmation of the sen tence from Madrid, where they remained two and 8 half years, during which time several petitions were presented to the authorities in order to procure the remission of the sentence; however, thanks to the untiring efforts of the English Consul at Santa Cruz the confrma- ton at length arrived, and the execution was fixed for the 2d of July.
 :tAs soon as the date was fixed the murder CTS were urged to confess the horrible crime, but refused to make any statement until the eve of the execution, when they both admit ted the murder and also confessed having com mitted several robberies, attempting to shoot 8 Spaniard, and twice setting fire to the iudge's house. On the morning of the 2d of July the inhabitants of Orotara were ast1r very 0arly3 aIlQ Ut D A. M u Bo hu1AOoA OA people from all parts of the island had col lected at the scaffo1d which had been erected during the night on the very spot where the murder was committed. Three hours later the prisoners left the jail in a small cart, ac- companied by a priest holding a crueifx; they were both dressed in black gowns with tall black hats. The elder of the two, Pedro Armas, appeared to be very much affected, but his companion showed no signs of feel ing whatever. They were to suffer death by sgarrotting,' and to die facing the cemetery. Arrived at the scaffold, they were both led on to the platform, and, after having kissed pthe crucifx and received absolution from the priest, they were seated side by side, each with his back against the post to which the instruments of death were fixed. There be- ing only one executioner, one man had to witness the others death. Pedro Armas was the first to suffer, and the wretched man him. self aided the executioner to put the irons round his neck before being bound. He suf- fered considerably before dying, as the exe- cutioner, being very old man, had not suf- fcient strength to screw the irons tight enough. The expression on the dying mans face, which was exposed to view, as no ban dages were used, was indescribable, the eyes starting from their sockets and the tongue protruding in horrible manner The other prisoner died almost instantaneously Their bodies remained till sunset. when they were taken down and buried but the scaffold still remains as warning to all evil-doers. :"