Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-11-20
GAME TO THE LAST.
Birchal1's Wonderful Nerve--He Met
Death on the Gallows without FIinch-

L
ing.
WOODSTOCK, ONT, Nov. 14.-The
prisoner, Birchall, ate good supper tc
fortify himself for the last vigil ii was
after midday when he rose and dressed
himself and his first meal of the day
was about 2 o'clock Yesterday after
noon. The afternoon was spent in re-
ceiving the visits of the bishop of Huron
and the Rev. Rural Dean Wade and af-
forwards pr. Rice, the Jail surgeon, was
with him for considerable time.
Att o'clock Birchall had lust finished
supper when a carriage drove up to the
door OF the prison. 1t contained Mrs.
Birchall, Mrs West Jones and Mr..
Leetham. All three went into the Jail,
but only Mrs. Birchall climbed the cir
cular iron stairs to her husbands s corri-
dor. Her sister and Mr.. Leetham went
into the governors office to wait for
her and did not themselves see the pris-
oner
Until / o'clock in the morning they
continued their conversation during the
whole of this long last meeting and long
last parting in the very valley of the
shadow Of death. Turnkey Forbes was
in the corridor with them, but they
cared nothing for it, Early in the night
the Rev. Rural Dean Wade went into
the corridor and made himself ready to
spend the night by removing his outer
coat. AT l o'clock came the leave
taking and the weeping woman was led
out through the barred door and down
the narrow stairs.
When they alighted from the carriage
shortly after l O'Clock Mrs. Birchall
walked up the stairs of the hotel with a
firm step and went Immediately to her
rooms.
His wife having gone, Birchall was
left with Turnkey Forbes and the rural
dean.
The time during the hours after Mrs.
Birchall left the gaol were passed by
Birchall and the divine in reading
scripture, praying and talking. The
took nap while MIR. Wade
was with Birchall in his cell. During
the night Mr.. Wade came out of the
cell and Mr.. Forbes, who is one of
Birchall's executors, went in and spent
some time with him, talking about his
temporal affairs. Birchall had little to
leave except a legacy which he expects
to fall TO him next spring. The extent
of his property was the 81 500 he re-
ccived from the autobiography and $3.50
he received by his agent from the pro-
prietors of a Toronto museum for the
clothes he wore on the nth Of February
and also authority solely to exhibit a
cast of his head, bust and figure.
When Birchall had done with the |
turnkey about o'clock Guard Midgeley
went in to see him.
Birchall gave NIidgeley gold pencil
or his son and said he had left instruc-
ions to be sent out from England for
he old soldier himself Midgeley said
goodbye to the prisoner for although he
vas going to remain 10 see the execution
It Birchall's request he would not again
ave an opportunity to speak with him.
5irchall had early in the evening asked
he cook to take him up a supper at 10
'clock but 1t was not afterwards asked
or and he ate nothing during the night.
lie preserved his usual demeanor all
through the night.
After the hangman got into the gaol
e went into the office and was served
With something to eat He talked in
oud voice that rang against the stone
rails of the corridors with sepulcher
ollowness.
The guards were glad when he
tretched himself on the sofa at 9
clock and fell asleep with his un-
nished Cigar in his hand. Gaoler
qmeron visited the gaol at 8 O'Clock
nd then returned to his house. The