The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-11-26
Execution of Daniel Wilkinson.

Execution Of Daniel Wilkinson.
THE SECOND EXECUTION THIS YEAR. wILKINSON's
HATRED OF MAINE. HISTORY OF THE CRIME.
SOMETHING THE BOYS SHOULD REMEMBER.
Friday noon, Nov. 20, at p O'Clock, standard time
the gallows in the prison yard at Thomaston, for
the second time this year claimed its victim, and
Daniel Wilkinson paid, with his life, the penalty of
murder. Since the execution of the Italians last
April Wilkinson has contended that he would hang,
arguing that the people of Maine were prejudiced
against foreigners, and that foreign born man
would ever receive justice at their hands. On
Thursday he told a reporter that only foreigners
and niggers were hung in Maine, and that if he
had been a native born his sentence would have
matter came before the Governor and Council, but
Wilkinson had since entertained great hatred for
Gov. Robbie.
HISTORY OF THE MAN.
Wilkinson was born in London, so he SAYS, and
was 80 years of age. His parents are still living,
his father being a small trades man near London
When fourteen years of age Wilkinson, against his
parents wishes, went to sea. He has since frequent
ly visited home, the last time four years ago. He
claims that with one exception he never committed
Il crime outside the state of Maine. He first came
to Maine in 1857 and went to work chopping wood
for man in Pittsiield. Burglaries commit
ed by the man for whom he worked, as Wilkinson
claims, for which he (Wilkinson) was sent to
prison for term of years. This, he says, I'M
Uttered him towards the people in this state, and
hardened him to life of crime. He subsequently
served a term for burglary at Charlestown prison,
in Massachusetts. In 1880 he committed burglary
at Woolwich and was arrested He broke Jail at
Bath and made his escape. Subsequently at Phila-
delphia he met sailor named John Elliot, fellow
Englishman, and they came to Portland together
in vessel. They planned to commit several
burglares. The result was that Wilkinson was
led to commit a murder.
THE CRIME
for which Wilkinson was executed was committed
at Bath on the Sd of September, 1888. That night
Policeman Kingsley heard burglars operating on
the store of d. G. Gould. The officers approach
frightened the burglars, who ran. The officer blew
his call whistle for help. Policeman William Law
renee heard the call and ran to Kingsley's assist
ance. Or the corner of Front street Lawrence
met a running man, who proved to be Wilkinson
and stopped him by throwing both arms about him.
wilkinson had cooked revolver in his hand and
placing it at Mr. Lawrence's head fired, the bullet
lodging at the base of the brain. The policeman
fell dead and was found by his fellow officers.
Wilkinson meanwhile made his escape. The first
clue to the murderer obtained in Brunswick.
Gould's store. 1t was found to fit the marks made
a store in Brunswick which burglars had at
tempted to enter few days before. From Bruins
wick Susnipious stranr IN a
land boarding house where he had given the name
of John Elliot and left without paying his bills.
Elliot could not be traced, but he had companion
named Daniel Wilkinson who was traced to Ban.
gor. Wilkinson was found in the employ of a
numbering firm there, and was arrested two weeks
after the murder A revolver and a quantity of
burglars fuse We're found among his effects. He
was frightened and confessed that he shot the
officer.
Elliot afterwards seen. Wilkinson
tried. convicted and after some delay sen.
fenced to death the 9th of August, 1884 At the
prison he worked in the paint shop until about six
weeks ago when he was placed in solitary contine-
ment to await his doom.
HIS LAST HOURS.
Wilkinson waited for the fatal day with much I'M.
concern. He was visited by Rev. Mr. Towers, the
Episcopalian clergyman at Thomaston, who tried
hard to have The sentence committed. Mr.. Towers
found the prisoner hard, and with no religious be
lief. In fact, he was disciple of Bob Ingersoll,
and did not believe IN hereafter. He slept well
the night before his death and ate his breakfast
and dinner on the fatal day with seeming relish.
Before noon, however, he softened, and asked Mr..
Towers to pray for him and repeated prayer af-
ter the clergyman. At lilo Il. IN. lady leading a
small girl by the hand entered the Warden's Office
and asked to be shown to the prisoners cell. 1t
WAS Mrs. Belle Knowles, of Augusta, a Christian
lady who became interested in Wilkinson's future
welfare While the prisoner in the Augusta Jail.
Wilkinson said that Mrs. Knowles was the only
friend he had on This side the Atlantic. The meet
Ing was very affecting. Tears came to the eyes of
Wilkinson and he told Mrs. Knowles that he want
Ell to die Christian IL sal that if it had not
been for a letter which lie receiI ed the day before
from Mrs Knowles he should have committed sui
eide, but how, is not known When the lady left
Wilkinson gave her a keepsake.
THE GALLONS
had been erected near the end of the carriage
house, i'll the same place, and the same gailows, up
on which the two Italians were hanged III april.
Wilkinson occupied the cell in the wing of the
prison occupied by Santore the older of the two
Italians. When the officers visited Wilkinson,
shortly after Mrs. Knowles visit they found him
calm and selfpossessed. He was told to prepare
for the gaows and he went about the preparation
coolly as if it was an ordinary event. At quar-
ter before twelve the fatal procession emerged
from the western door and the
DEATH MARCH
to the gaIows was begun. First came officer Bun
10, nffb ,, /, l..
clothed in the white robes of the Episcopal church.
Next came the doomed man between deputy sheriff
Porter of Vinalhaven, and officer Peabody of
Thomaston, followed by the other officials. The
march was across the prison yard to the carriage
house and through the shop to the gallows. VIII
kinson stepped upon the fatal trap apparently the
most unconcerned man present. His cool and de
termned bearing commented upon by all pres.
ent. He said beforehand that he should die like an
Englishman. After deputy sheriff Porter had fin
ished binding his legs Wilkinson coolly asked
"Have you got it tight enough to suit you?" Turn
ing to sheriff Irish he said: "This is the way you
murder them at fifty dollars apiece" We watched
the mans face closely but could detect no tremor.
He stood about feet inches. weighing l70
pounds His face full, and he was slightly
bald with thick black full whiskers and moustache.
He was not unprepossessing and had an intelligent
look. Mr.. Towers read the service of the Episco-
pal church, but with no response from the doomed
man. Now and then he would look about and cast
his eyes down to the group of thirty or more spec
tators below.
HES PLUCKY,"
was the remark of some one. At the close of the
services the black cap was drawn over his head
Wilkinson raising his head to facilitate the opera.
ton. The fatal cap shut out the sunshine forever
on that bright November day. The prisoner had
nothing to say There was breathess stiffness as
Sheriff Irish with uncovered head said "By au.
thority of the law in vested now hang you by
the neck until you are dead dead, dead. And may
God have mercy your soul" AS he uttered the
the trap fell and the doomed man was launched
downward seven feet There was some struggling
and contortion of the body, the huge shoulders
drawing up several times. After hanging seven.
teen minutes the physicians pronounced the man
dead, and the body was lowered into the coffin
There was doubt as to whether or not the neck was
broken. The knot slipped forward of the ear. and
to an unprofessonal it looked as though he died of
strangulation. The remains We're buried in the
prison yard at Wilkinson's request There was no
hitch in the proceedings and much credit is due
Sheriff Irish who well performed his disagreeable
duty.