News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-03-26
UNDER THE GIBBET.
A SINGULAR CASE REPORTED FROM
ENGLAND
Three Attempts to Hang n Man and They
All Fail.

One of the most singular incidents
ever connected with the execution or at
tempted execution of a murderer hap
pened at Exeter, England, on the occa-
sion of carrying out the death sentence
passed upon john Lee, who was recently
condemned to be hanged for the murder
of Miss Emma A. W. Keyes at Babbl-
combe, near Torquay, on November 10
last. Three attempts were made to exc
cute Lee, but each attempt proved
futile, the drop failing TO work success
fully. The execution was consequently
postponed.
The details of the attempt to hang
Lee make the case the most horrible that
ever disgraced the gibbet in England.
At first Lee was perfectly firm and went
to the scaffold undaunted. When the
first attempt to hang him failed the pris-
oner's spirit remained unbroken. He
was lead from under the gallows and
walked back to his cell with firm step
| and erect bearing.
When he was first placed upon the
trap he resigned himself completely, but
firmly, into the hands of the executioner.
He stood motionless during the prelimi-
nary ceremonies, and when the moose
was placed and the spring was about to
bestouched he made an apparent effort to
adjust his body to the expected drop, SO
| that death might be as quick and easy as
possible, and when the click of the
spring sounded he drew breath as if
he felt he was taking his last. When the
murderer was made to realize that the
gibbet had not done its work and that he
was not yet hanged, he appeared to start
as from a nightmare But he quickly
recovered himself. The convict was then
removed to his cell.
The machinery was carefully exam
med and the wood work was found wet
and swollen, so that the spring and trap
would not move quickly and smoothly.
! The machinery was then oiled and
moved until the officials were convinced
that it was in perfect condition to carry
out the sentence of the law.
Lee was again brought out from his
cell. He stood firm upon the trap, and
when the moose was fixed again tried to
fit his body for the fatal fall, and when
the spring clicked its signal he seemed
again to drop in perfect physical surren-
der. But the machine of death again
refused to do its work. The victim
shuddered as if shaking himself out of
some horrible dream, and the execu-
toner pounded the framework and
stamped upon the trap, but the trap
would not move. Lee Strengthened
himself up, and was a second time re-
moved to his cell. It was evident, how
ever, that his spirit was very much
broken, and those in charge of the gal
lows were very nervous.
| A third TINA tha machinery xvoc ouor-
hauled and adjusted, q third lime was
it pronounced all right, and a third time
was the murderer led out and noosed
and black capped. The spring was
again touched and again it refused to
operate. The strain and suspense had
now overtaxed Lee. He sank down in a
swoon and had to be carried away from
the place. No words can give an ade-
quate idea of the painfulness of the
scene. A kind of oyerpowering dismay
ike that of superstition seemed to have
| got control of the Sheriff's officers. The
gallows was deserted and no one made
any more attempts to put it in working
order. The man that was to have been
hanged was limp, motionless and in a
most pitiable condition, lying in his
prison cell dazed and stupefed and
physically exhausted.
The Sheriff decided to abandon his
task. He closed up the execution yard
and went down to the Post Office, tele-
graphed to Sir William Vernon Har-
court, the Home Secretary, a full his
tory Of the horrible failures to execute
Lee, and asked for instructions what
next to do. The Home Secretary in re-
ply telegraphed respite.
1t will be remembered that Lee, who
was an ex-convict, obtained employment
from Miss Keyes as a valet by means OF
forged letters of recommendation. Lee
wished to marry Miss Keyes, who was
an elderly lady of wealth. She refused
to wed him, whereupon Lee assaulted
her. He then murdered her and set
fire to the house to cover his crime.
! The flames were soon extinguished by
neighbors, and the murderer was short
ly afterward captured. He was hiding
in the vicinity.