Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-15
AWAITING HIS DEATH.
Thomas Neill, the London Prisoner, Spent
His Last Days in Writing.


His Last Days in Writing.
Ali the preparations for the execution today
Of Thomas Neill, otherwise Cream. who on Oc-
tober 81 was convicted of the murder of Ma
tilda Clover by administering strychnine to
her. had been completed last night. Since
Neill was sentenced the closest watch was kept
upon him a. Newgate prison.
The sherifss of the city, who have jurisdic-
ton over tlfs execution proceedings at New
gate, gave otders to the prison officials to OBJ
serve the mast stringent silence and secrecy as
regards Neil till after the execution. The cler-
gyman atteIsaing the convict, the governor Of
the prison, aarders and Hangman Ellington
were all pressed for information by the news
paper men. but they were uncommunicative.
The warders would not permit access to the
prison beyond the corridor which led to his
cell.
The warders vouchsafed only the information
that Neill. though ill. had REQUIRED to writing
throughout the day, frequently leaving off,
being obliged to rest He silent. irritable
and moody. The warders hailed their early re-
lief from thu responsibility of their charge.
Though it was impossible that Neill could have
secreted any poison in his cell the prison Off
cials were haunted with a suspicion that this
adept In the fatal use of poison had some I'M
known resources which he might use at the last
moment to cheat the gallows. So the prison
doctor took turn with another medical man in
being ready to respond promptly to an emer-
gency call from the prisoners cell. The doc
tors were quartered in the waiting room of the
governors apartments.
The cell i'll which Neill was confined since his
sentence was twice the size of the ordinary cell
at Newgate, it was better lighted, and was pro-
vided with comfortable though small bed.
There were also several chairs. An ordinary
cell has none. Two Scripture texts adorned the
wallis Here Neil saw nobody except the Off
cials. The governor inquired twice daily if he
wanted anything or had any communication to
make.
Ellington, the hangman was in the prison
since Saturday, not stirring outside the walls,
probably to avoid being set upon by press in
reviewers. He saw Neill yesterday through an
inspection wicket. taking note of his height and
build while the convict paced to and fro in his
cell.
NELL had two interviews yesterday with his
solicitor, Mr.. Waters. In the first he gave in
structions for the drawing up of his will. Mr.
Waters called again last night with the docu-
ment for Neil's signature
Neill made no confession. but Mr. Waters
urged him to give heed to the ministrations Of
the chaplain during the short time remaining
to him. and advised him, il he desired to I'M
burden his mind, to do SO to the chaplain. 1t
was only when Mr.. Waters finished exhorting
him that Neill seemed to fully realize his posi-
ton. He broke down completely and expressed
his Indebtedness to the solicitor and admitted
that the lawyer had spared no efforts to save
his life. The scene at parting was painful.
Throughout Neiils isolation appeared TO have
been singularly complete. Not even his friends
visited him. He saw outsider except his
solicitor