Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1907-03-09
A GALLONS MYSTERY.
Iohn Lees Remarkable Expert
ence on the Scaffold.
FACED DEATH THREE TIMES.
And Three Times tho Trap, Which Had
Previously Been Tested and Found
In Good Working Order, Refused TO
Open When the Bolt Was Drawn

One of the most remarkable scenes
ever witnessed on the gallows LOOK
Mace in England in the last century.
Early on the morning Of Feb. 10
1881 a considerable crowd of people
gathered before the grim front OF EA'
eter prison. 1t was a silent crowd,
shiyering in the keen wind that blew
around those frowning walls on that
dull. misty morning, and its eyes were
all bent on a Flagstaff which stood bare.
They were waiting for a flag TO DC
hoisted-the terrible black nag which
sbould announce that justice had been
done on murderer. 8,
Inside the prison warder stoou
ready. holding in his hand the cOru
which should hoist the hldeous black
drapery lying on the ground at his feet,
hut the signal did not come. instead
of II there arrived an excited prison
officer
"The flag will not be hoisted. Lee
will not be hanged today" he said
John Lee. the prisoner whose death
signal that crowd had awaited, mao
had one of the most remarkable es'
canes from capital punishment record
ed in our prison history. TO THIS gay
n remains somewhat Of a mystery
how John Lee lived so many years
after the events of that terrible morn
ing.
Il had a dream" the wretched man
wrote 10 his sister the day a1ter us
faorful experience on the scaffold-"l
had n dream on Sunday night tune
night before the day fixed for the exc
cntion) that the scaffold was not read!
and that they had to make another
told the officers that were on water
over me at o'clock In the morning
hut did not think 1t was coming true
Rut II did. 1t was the Lords Will ina
should not die yesterday at the time
appointed by man. I believe wnat oc
Cured was a miracle. l was on III
brink of death three times. II Is III.
wish 70 die. l am tired of this worlo
and 7 am waiting for the time TO come
and 7 hope it will not be long. nav
heen dead to this world three times.
John Lee did not exaggerate his aW
full experience.
Ar in the morning Of that Fepru
ary day he had been led from MS &C.
70 die. In what had been the coac
house Of the prison the gallows ha
been erected Beneath was deep pi
covered by the closed doors, WHICH
when the condemned man was place
in proper position, should, at sigma
from the executioner, fly open, DO
being withdrawn by an assistant pui
ing q lever. The whole arrangemel
had been tested several times and ma
worked satisfactorily. But now, VIII
John Lee standing there with the Gu
drawn over his face and the hangman
rome around his neck, the Zap door
beneath his feet would not give wa!
Berry made the fatal signal, the assls
ant pulled the lever, the bolt flew oac
but the doors kept their place. Inc
warders rushed forward and stampe
with their feet upon the doors. Inc
renamed uTlu. Ice N"o W. ND~' -
carpenters were called in to saw son
of the woodwork away. Again all WI
ready. The clergyman once more can
70 the words. In the midst Of life
are in death" Again the signal WI
given. the bar was pulled, but the doc
refused to part.
John Lee stood there before the
alive!
Three times did that happen. For
fewer than eighteen minutes Lee sto'
there tasting the agony of moment
rlly expected death.
Then the white cap was taken fro
his face and the rope from around L
neck. and he was led back to prise
while the Jail authorities hastily co
ferred as to what should be done.
telegram was dispatched to the nor
secretary, Sir William Harcourt'
forming him Of the extraordinary
currence and requesting instruction
Later the undersheriff proceeded
London to interview the secretary.
Il felt" said Sir William Harcol
later in the house Of commons, that
would shock the feelings of every o
If this man were called upon to aga
undergo the pangs of imminent dea
and consequently signed a resp
durinp her maiestv's pleasure. la