The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-14
Murderer Robertson Hanged
in New Bedford.
Death Was Pronounced 20 Minutes
After The Drop Fell.
The Victim Was Strangled-The E.
ecution Went Smoothly.


Death was pronounced 20 minutes after
the drop fell. The execution went
smoothly and little trouble was expert
enced.
The condemned man spent his last
night on earth rather restlessly. lie went
TO bed about IL o'clock, and for a time
rested quietly, but sound slumber would
not relieve his troubled mind, and
he was wide awake and occasionally chat
ting with the death watch before daylight
this morning. About $3.50 he arose, hav-
ing had but little more than four hours
rest during the night. He expressed
great sorrow for his crime and appeared
TO be thoroughly repentant. The visit OF
his daughter, Helen, yesterday afternoon
contributed greatly to reconcile him
to death and he went TO the
gallows satisfied that his child had for
given him for his awful crime. Most OF
the time yesterday and last evening he
spent in sobbipg and praying and he con-
tinued TO pray fervently last night.
In the evening the Rev. Donald MacDou-
gall, his spiritual adviser, visited him and
prayed with him. TO the clergyman Rob-
ertson read statement which he had
been working on during the day. He COM
MacDougall this morning. After seeing
her father yesterday the daughter re-
turned to Boston. Their parting was very
affecting, all present being moved to tears.
About 8 O'Clock this morning, all the
prisoners in that part OF the jail being re-
moved or sent TO the shops, the construc-
tion OF the gallows WAS commenced in
that section of the prison known as the
"cage," court formed by the intersec-
tion OF three corridors. Robertson's cell
was but short distance from the cage
and though he could net et-see
n..x
moved about their work warned him of
his st-approaching doom. The machine
OF death used today was a new one built
by Albert r. Spooner, former
fellow workman OF Robertson's. 1t was
| put together with screws, not a nail be-
ing used. Work on 1t was not completed
until nearly 10 O'Clock. 1t was tempor-
ariiy set up and tested some days ago.
The first person to visit Robertson this
| morning was keeper Hunt, who greeted
| the prisoner with q CHEEKY "Good morn
ing" to which the condemned man pleas
breakfast, steak, coffee and rolls, was
served in the cell and he ate quietly.
After the breakfast was disposed of
Rev. Mr.. MacDougall arrived and
he was later joined by Rev. j.
II. Coe, the clergyman Of tbeEjail,
and Rev. f.. Williams, chaplain of the
Seamen's Bethel. A service OF prayer and
song followed, Robertson joining heartily
in the hymn .Jesus, Lover Of My Soul
The services were concluded shortly be-
fore 10 o'clock, and tho Rev. Mr.. Mac
Dougall after promising TO officiate at the
funeral, bade the condemned man sor-
rowful adieu.
The prisoner then donned a suit OF
black. At 1875 Sheriff Wright, accom-
panied by Deputy Sheriffs Spooner and
Brown entered the cell and read the
death warrant. Robertson listened quietly
and made no comment. The deputies pin
Toned him and at 10:42 he was led to the
foot of he scaffold, but few steps from
the cell door. Without once hes
jtating, the murderer walked up
TO the platform between the deputies,
preceded by Sheriff Wright and Mr.. Coe.
His face was pale but there was little
outward sign OF emotion. As he stepped
on the trap Sheriff Wright asked
him II he had anything to say. In voice
audible but few feet distant he spoke
briefly, saying that he was very sorry
for what he had d. nc and hoped that his
example would be warning to all
living. He concluded with these words:
Never, before my God, did / mean to do
this deed am now suffering for. loved
my wife and child, and do today. May
the Lord Jesus Christ save my soul"
Rev. r.-Coe then made brief prayer
and he black cap was adjusted by Sheriff
Wright. AS the cap was being placed over
pray, and he died with prayer on his lips.
At exactly 10:46 the drop fell.
There was hardly perceptible tremor
after the drop. Ii was allowed to hang q
few moments and then the ply
sicilns, DR.. M. III. Leopard OF the
House of Core ection and Medical
Examiner Hough. made an examination.
The heart continued to act for some
moments, and ii was not until IL rs that
death was finally pronounced. The body
was shortly after teken down and turned
over to an undertaken.
The funeral will take place late this af-
ternoon or tomorrow. About twenty
five persons witnessed the execution, in
GLIDING the legal witnesses, several
: sherlffs and physicians from different
parts of the State and the necessary
guards and deputies.
ent.
The statement which Robertson wrote
| Is addressed TO Rev. Mr.. MacDougall, and
is about 500 words in length. In 1t he de-
clares that he loved his wife and
| did not intend to kill he, and
| crime bad he not been under the influence
OF liquor. He asks the forgiveness OF
God and man and says be Is thankful
time was given him TO repent.
story of the Crime.
Daniel NJ. Robertson was about 40 years
| OF age and was a carpenter by trade. On
Saturday Afternoon, Sept. 5, 1893, having
been released from the House OF Correction
earlier in the day, he went TO his wife's
house and cut her throat with n pocket
knife because she had refused TO send him
| some money to pay bis fine, which neccs-
Stated bis spending some time in prison.
Robertson has been q heavy drinker for
some years and has served several terms
OF imprisonment for petty crimes COM
mftted whtfr urcrr the Influence of iieaef.
| On August II, 1893, he was fined so, and
as he had only 20 in his possession, he
| sent for his wife TO make up the balance.
She refused, and he went to prison. Rob
ertson swore that he would murder his
wife as soon as he got out of Jail for not
coming to his assistance.