Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-10-30
FOREIGN.
The Execution of Robert
SprOule.
RUSSIA PREPARING FOR WAR.
Engiand's Conciliatory Attitude.
A Message From General
kaulbar.

special to the Herald bv the Associated rrees
FIcroRT,. b. c., October 2s.-Robert Evan
Sproule was executed this forenoon at SIN
O'CLOCK at The provincial jail, in the pres
ence OF about twenty persons. The crime
Ior which Sprouie suffered the penalty of
death was the murder of Thomas Hannah
on the 3D. of June, 1885, on the borders of
kootenai Lake. Strenuous efforts have besu
made to delay his execution and numerous
reprieves have been granted, several being
on the request of the United States govern
ment. To the last day Sproule was hopeful
and expected that sentence would be com-
muted. Yesterday, however, he appeared
e. e. give up hope AMI prepared himself to
ule. during the night he slept well and
TINS morning partook of q substantial break
iast. HIS demeanOr was that OF man who
had made his peace with God and was rec
onciled 70 the late which awaited him. His
advlsors, Reys. Fraser and Psrcieval, en-
deavored to draw from him Confession
but he persistently said
HE HAD NOTHING TO CONFESS.
As the clock struck s, Jailer Hutchinson
appeared at the cell door and said to fhe
condemned man. 1.-THE time has arrival
ana a5,ad the mandate OF the law must be full
nlied.' SPrOue arose in rather a nervous
manner and bidding good bye to his suir-
itual advisers, passed out into the corridor
with a firm step. He walked ahead of the
la1ler and seemed determined to die brave
~; rohin on ne1,t entering the yard he glanced
hope OF finding friend, but aside from the
sympathy expressed, there was no sign of
recognition and the unfortunate man
walked resolutely up the steps to the scat
TOOK HIS PLACE ON THE TRAP.
Again he looked intently on the few nor.
DIeSnDt. than rtf.xu apA
the shy, seemed to re ilize thit it's beauty
was to be taken from him forever. He was
followed up to the trap by Rev. Mr.. Fraser.
the jailor and the esecutiouer. the iattor
wearing the customary black mask. There
was an awe-inspiring silence for a moment
when Spraule said:
Can speak to the Sheriff."
Being answered in the affirmative, he con-
"Mr. Sheriff, you have no. read the death
warrant yet"
1T is not necessary" was the reply.
Can speak few minutes iurther?" he
"Yes. If you wish it," replied the Sheriff.
Sproule hesitated for moment. and then
speaking in low. deliberate mauner, said:
,io MY lrlenos: I MS Is very solemn situs-
dition. trust this will be au example and
warning to
THOSE WHO COMMIT SIN.
Thoichsrge that has been preferred against
me was wrong. l was not guilty of the
crime OF which was accused. Eight of the
witnesses who came to Victoria bore false
witness against me, which lead to my con-
vlctlon. They knew as well as the wrongs
they had perpetrated. l have nothing fur
to say only good bye to you all.'
lie seemed at this point 20 be overcome
WIN emotion, though not by fear, and sew
gral spectators were visbly affected. While
Kew Mr. Frazer prayed for the condemned.
me executfoner stepped in front of him aad
adjusted the rope around his neck.
DON'T sTRANGLE ME, DON'T sTRANGLs Me-
He crie] and then stood motionles, with
bis hat In his hand awaiting his doom. The
sheriff ascended the gallows and pulled the
cap over the prisoners eyes and neck. La
an instant the trap was spruug and Robert
Evan Sproule was hanging lifeIess. The
fall was eight feet aud his neck was broken.
death being instantaneous.
IL was his last request that he be buried
on American ground and he gave the Amer
lean consul testament to be delivered to
Miss Eta F. Garlick. of Oakland, Cal.
There is diversified opinion as to his
guilt or innocence. 1t was believed that =
commutation of the sentence to imprison-
ment for life would have jus tly satisfied the
majesty of the law. His will makes his two
brothers his sole heirs.