Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-02-24
A SHOCKING SPECTACLE.

1t was stated III yesterdays GAZEfIE
that three attempts were male at Exeter,
England, to hang John Lee for the murder
of Hiss Emma A. w. Reyes, at BahhS-
combe. near Torquay, on November 10 last.
II will be rendered that Lee, VINO was an
ex-couvict, obtained employment from Miss
Reyes as valet by means of forged letters
of recommendation Lee wished TO marry
Miss Keyes, who was lady OF wealth.
She refused TO wed him, whereupon Lee
assaulted her. He then murdered her ami
set fire TO the house to cover his crime.
The flames were soon eXt!ngulshed by
neiphbors aud the murderer was shortly
afterwards captured. The details OF the
futile attempts to hang Lee make the case
the most horrible that ever disgraced the
gibbet in England. At first Lee was per-
fectly firm, and went to the scatl"id un
daunted He stood motiouess GuIlng The
preliminary ceremonies, AMI when The
Moose was placed and the spring was about
to be touched be made an etfort 10 adjust
his body to the expected drop, SO that death
might be as quick and easy as possible, BAD
when the ciIck Of the spring sounded he
drew q breath rs if he Was taking his
last. When the murderer was made 10
realize that the gibbet had not doEe
It's work he appeared 10 start as If
from nightmare, but he quietly
recovered himself. The machinery was ~
amned, and the wood work vas found vel
and swollen SO that the spring aud .-ap
would not move. The machinery was then
oiled and ,uoved until the officials were
| convinced that it was in perfect condition.
| Lee was again brought Gu: from his cell.
| He stood firmly again upon the trap, ana
when the moose was fixed again tried to nj
his body for the fatal fall, aud when The
| spring clicked its signal be seemed again to
drop III perfect physical surrender But
the nuchine Of death again refused to do lis
work The victim shudiered as if shaking
himself out Of some horrible dream, and the
execl inner pounded the framework aud
eta;uped upon the trap but it would net
move. lie Strengthened himself up, and
was second time removed TO bis cell. /!
was evident, however, that his spirit was
very much broken, and those in charge Of
the ga,lows were very nervous. third
| time the machinery was overhaueC aud
| adjusted third time was il pronounced all
| right, and third time was the murderer
| led out, aud nuosed and blackcs pptd. !'he
spring was again touched, and again )! re-
| fused to operate. The strnin and suspense
had now overtaxed Lee. He sank down III
Il swoon, aud had Ia be carried away ron
the place. No words can give an idea o.
the panfuiness of the scene. A kin': OF
overpowering disuray like that of suparsti.
lion seemed 10 have got control Of the sher.
i1's officers. The gallows was deserted,
aud no one made any more attempts 10 pni
it in working order. The man that WIS /"
have been hanged was limp, mulioness and
in most pitiable condition, lying IL hl+
prison cell, dazad and stupGed, and phys
ically exhausted. The sheriff decided TO
abandon his task. He closed up the exc
cu,jon yard and went down 10 the post
office, selegraphed 10 Sir WIN. Vernon liar
court. the home secretary, full history OF
| the horrible failures 70 execute Lee, and
asked for instructions what next to do. Lee
has been respted b. orurr Of the Home o.
| Hoa