Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-11-24
Execution Took Place at
ga. N. at Pentonvi||e.
Prisoner Was Literally Led
from Cell to ScdttoId.
aanort That He Made a Confession
is Wholly Discredited.

.DI
vev Crippen today paid the penalty
for the murder Of his wife, Belle Ell
,,ore the actress, within a few min
ntes of the stroke of nine, the morning
hour officially fixed for the execution.
The hanging was in Pentonville
,rison where the prisoner had been
confined since his return to this cOun-
trv. following his arrest. IN Canada.
The condemned. man who through
ont his trial and even until Home
Secretary Churchill had refused pc
titjon for his reprIeve. had maintained
an irperturbablc calmneSs, presented
a pitiablc appearance as he was lit
orally led throughout the short cOrri-
dor from his cell to the scaffold.
His mental anguish had been too
great to be covered up by outward
brayado and it was d broken man
whom the gardens were obliged to as
sst up the steps to the drop. upon
which. once reached, the shrinking
figure all Tut cola psed.
The first report that Crippen had
met his fate calmly was contradicted
BY persons VII" were present in the
prison during the mans last hours.
The doomed man passed restless
niybt and appeared haggard and worn
when awakened from his fitful slum-
her He seemed to lose all fortitude
as the end approached. A breakfast
was brought to him, hut he left it I'M
touched.
His face WAS colorIess as he was
escorted barehCadcd, to the SallOWs.
The grewsome work was soon done.
The black cap was quickly drawn
over the face, tho moose adjusted and
the belt drawn.
Cripper who weighed 40 pounds.
was given a drop of seven feet. Death
vas instantaneous.
From .he time that his reprieve was
refused the physicians condition had
been one Of agonizel mental prostra-
ton He would see only Clara Ethel
lie Neve love of whom the crown as
serted, vas the compelling motive in
the murder of his wife Solicitor New
ton who had made a game fight for
his client. and Father Carey. to whose
minstrations he paid respectful at
tention.
The final interview with Miss lie
Neve yesterday was most painful and
already in the shadow of death the
convicted murderer made no effort to
suppress his emotions upon parting
with the girl During the remainder
Of the day he was in a state of COM
plete nervous collapse. retiring to his
beo utterly Respondent
Now that Or. Crippcn'S lips are for
eyer sealed. the usual post-mortem ru-
mors of an eleventh hour confession
are atloat These should he read in the
knowledge that on Sunday last the
condemned man issued signed state
ment in which he protested his COM
plete innocence; and that since that
day AS for several days before he had
positively refused to see anyone other
than his keepers, Solicitor Newton,
Miss lie Neve and Father Carey.
Accordingly the testimony of only
these persons would appear to be Of
weight in throwing light on the con-
denned mans last hours. This morn
Ing, following the execution. the prison
authorities issued an official state
ment declaring that no confession had
peen made Miss lie Neve denies that
orppen confessed. His attorney says
'''at so far as he knows his client
maintained lis innocence to the end.
"hat was said to the priest Dreced-
ing ahsolution cannot, of course, be
known.
IL Crlppen confessed. as is asserted
ny newly established evening paper,
nc made poor work of it. for the paper
gives no authority for it's assertions.
WHICH are rratitnl IN q
friend If the physician, who is himself
4"o'ed but briefly. The only alleged
lie" facts brought out are that Grip
pen was treating his wife for indiges-
uoh and substituted poison for the
poper medicine, and that he pur-
.'aS"d in shop in Helborn a dissect-
lug Khlle which. after it had been used
:" oiSmember the body. the murderer
oie" into neighbours garden. In
splte OF this careless disposition of the
"'itaie weapon. it has never been re-
covered by the police.
WIN these exceptions the alleged
concession is recital of the we'll
Alo"h story Of the crime. which might
nave been told by any one who had
.o"owed the widely published proceed
ihss of the court.
'o'lowing the execution the inquest
,eluired by law was held. the jury re-
turning verdict to the effect that the
sentence of the law had been duly
carried out.
me proceedings were held in the
PRISON. DR.. Wilson, an official witness
VI me hanging. testified that death
was caused by fracture of the verte-
p,ae. There was no resistance or strug-
ee on the part OF the condemned man
ana the whole proceedings from the
.h.rance of the cell by the eXecutioner
",''l! Crippen was dead occupied only
w seconds. Death was instantaneous,
me physician said.
me foreman of the jury inquired of
we coroner if he might ask whether
anv confession had been made and re-
eeiNed the reply, "No, that does not
concern YOU
Inc execution of Dr. Hawley Har-
eS 'rippen in London today COM
Confined on Page Two.)