The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-03-04
Three Futile Attem pts to Hang a
Murderer in England

London, Feb. 23.-Three attempts
were made at Exeter to-day to hang John
Lee for the murder of Miss Emma \.
W. Reyes at Babbacombe, near Torquay,
on Nov. 10. 1884, but the drop failed to
work successfully. The details Of the III
tile attempts to hang Lee make the case
the most horrible that ever disgraced the
gibbet ia England. At first Lee was
perfectly firm and went to the scatfold
undaunted. When the first attempt to
hang him failed the prisoners spirit re
manned u~nbroken. He was led from
under the gallows and walked back to
his cell with a firm step and erect bearing.
When he was first placed upon the trap
he resigned himself completely, but firm
", into the hadns of the executioner.
He stood motionless during the prelimi-
nary ceremonies, and when the moose was
placed and the spring was about to be
touched he made an apparent effort to
adjust his body to the expected drop, 50
that death might be as quick and easy
as possible, and when the click Of the
spring sounded he drew a breath, az
though he felt hat he was taking bis
last. When the murderer was made tc
realize that the gibbct had not done Its
work aHi that he was not yet hanged, he
appeared to start a. though from anight
mare. But he quickly recovered him
/ elf
The machinery was carefully examined
and the wood work was found wet and
swollen, so that the spring and traT
would not move quickly and smoothly.
The machinery was then oiled and movcl
until the officials were convinced that il
was in perfect condition to carry out the
sentence of the law Lee was agajl
brought out from his cell. He stool
firmly again npoa the trap, and, wher
the Goose was fixed, again tried to fit hi.
body for the fatal fall, aud when tn,
spring clicked it's signal he seemed aQau
to drop in perfect physical surrender
But the machine of death again refused
to do It's work. The victim shuddcred
a. though shaking himself cut Of som,
horrible dream, ard the e~Xecutione'
rounded his framework and stamping
upon the trap, but the trap would no
move lee Strengthened himself up, an,
was a second time taken to his cell |
was evident, however, that his spirit wa
very much broken.
A third time the machinery was over
hauled and adjusted, a third time was !
Pronounced all right, and a third time
was the murderer led out and noOscd an,
black capped. The spring was agall
touched, and again it refused to operate
The strain and suspense had now over
taxed Lee. He sank down in a swOon
and had to be carried away from tn
place.
No words can give an adequate de
of the p~ainfulness Of the scene. \ kin
Of overpowering dismay. like that o
superstition, seemed to have got contrC
Of the Sheriff. officers. The gallows wa
deserted, and no one made any more al
tempts to put it in working order. Th
man that was to have been hanged wa
limp, m~otionless, and in a most pitiabl
condition, lying in his prison cell, daze,
andl supplied, and physically exhausted
The Sheriff decided to abandon his task
He closed up the execution yard and wei
down to the Post Office, telegraphed
Sir William Vernon Iiarcourt, the Hou,
Secretary, a full history OF the horrlb
failures to hang Lee, and asked for il
structionS what next to do, Lee W;
subsequently respited by order Of Il
Home Office.
Lee, who wa an ex convict, obtainC
employment from Miss Reyes as a val
by means OF forged letters, Of recommer
: dalton. Lee wished to marry Miss keye
who was an elderly lady of wealth. 81
l refused to wed him, where-upon Lee a
saulted her. He then murdered he
: and set fire to the house to cover b
: crime. The flames were soon ~eXtinguls
: ed by n~eighborS, and the murderer W
soon afterward captured.