The record-union., 1892-11-16

(EltIitS ties I-dSS IGGSOIuIIOnS IN
Favor of the Immediate Passage of
Home Rule Bill for ireland.
Special to the RECoRp-UNIoN.
LONDON, Nov. 15.-The execution of
Thomas Neill, alias Cream, which took
place this morning, was strictly private.
There were present Kynaston Metcalf,
Under Sheriff of the county of London,
the executioner and prison officials.
Since Neil, alias Cream, was sentenced
the closest watch was kept upon him at
Newgate Prison. The wardens vouch-
safed early yesterday only the informa-
ton that Neill, though i'll, wrote con-
stantly throughout the day, frequently
leaving Oft, being obliged to rest. Bill
lington, the hangman, saw Neill yester-
day through the inspection wicket, taking
note Of bis hight and build, while the
convict paced to and fro in his cell.
Usually the hangman has an interview
with the condemed, making the closest
possible survey Of his physique and TAX
ing the eye measurement of the strength
OF the neck and gauging the weight OF
w OONtJ. LIS SbIpCdlS " ndN6 DCSn
spared to Neill.
From the cell to the scaffOld along the
Hagged corridor Is minutes walk. The
scaifold was erected in the courtyard
within the inclosure, making it invisible
from any point on the surrounding build
lngs. The instant the drop was made a
black flag was hOisted on the prison flag
staff to make known to the outside world
that justice had been satisfied. The body
Will be encaSed in a coffin filled with
quicklime and placed under the flag
stones in the corridor, over which the
doomed man trod on his way to the scat
fold.
This is perhaps the ghastIest spot in
the world. Under the tagging Of this
corridor have been buried the bodies of
long succession of notable and obscure
criminals.
Nelll had two interviews with Solicitor
Waters. In the first he gave instructions
for the drawing up of his will. Waters
called again last night with documents for
NelPs signature. Neiu made no con-
tesslon, but Waters urged him to give
| heed TO the ministratiOns of the chaplain
during the short time remaining to him.
and advised him if he desired to unbur-
| den his mind to do so to the chaplain. 1t
was only when Waters finished eXhorting
him that Neill seemed fully to realize his
position. He broke down completely
and expressed his Indebtedness to the
! solicitor and admitted to the lawyer that
the latter spared no effort TO save mis- life.
The scene at parting was painful
Notwithstanding the orders that the
! execution should be private, a representa-
tive OF the Associated Press was admitted
| to the prison. Neill spent restless night
and tins morning paid little heed to the
mlnlStratlous of the chaplain. Hangman
Ellington entered the cell few minutes
before 9 o'clock and with his assistants
fastened a leather belt around the con-
demned mans waist, and STRAPS from
this securely pinioned his arms at the
elbows and wrists. Neill submitted
quietly, without uttering a word. The
procession to the gallOws was then
formed, headed by the Chief Warden and
| followed by the chaplain, reading the
burial service; Neill came next, with a
warden on either side. He walked
hrmly, though deadly pallor overspread
his face, which, however showed no other
| signs of emotion. The hangman brought
uD the rear. When arrived at the
scaifold a white cap was pulled over
/ NeilPs eyes, and Ellington guided him
on the trap-door beneath the cross beam.
| from which a rope dangled. The hang
| mans assistants then deity pinioned
! Neil's legs, the moose was adjusted
| around the neck, the eXecutioner stepped
| back and pressed the lever, and then
Neill fell five feet into the pit There
were cOnvulsive tWitchings Of the mus
| cles for few seconds, then the body
| hung motionless. Death evidently was
| instantaneous and painless.
| Neill was remarkably calm and self
possessed throughout. Just before the
cap was drawn down he thanked the
| prison officials for their kindness. He
seemed resigned 10 his fate. He told the
| Under Sheriff that the last two DAYS had
! been the calmest, perhaps the happiest.
Of his life He declined to take stimu-
lants to sustain him in the final ordeal,
| Ellington says he acted remarkably cool
and almost placed himself on the trap
without direction.
| The body was cut down after hanging
an hour and cast of the head was taken.
| The Coroner's jury viewed the body and
returned a verdict in accordance with the
facts. The remains were placed in
coffin with quicklime and buried under
! the fiagstones in the prison corridor,
! where have been buried the remains of
| long line of noted criminals.
| The crimes of Neill, and for which he
was hanged, commenced two and a half
! years ago, and it was during the search
| for the murderer OF Matilda Clover. the
last of his victims, that suspicion was
turned in the direction of Cream, who
was posing as an American drug clerk,
| The police had looked high and low for
the poisoner, but in vain until am at
tempt to blackmail a number of reputa-
ble citizens was reported. Several people
received letters accusing them of poison
ing girls. Through these letters Cream,
who had for some occult reason thus ex-
posed himself was apprehended. His
trial began several weeks ago, and from
the first the evidence was of the most
conclusive character against him.