Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-11-25
DR.. CR|PPEN IS HANGED
FOR MURDER OF HIS WIFE
American Doctor Pays Penalty
of Death in London makes
No Confession
(By Associated Press.)


LONDON, Nov. 23.-Dr. Hawley Har-
vey Crippen today paid the penalty for
the murder of his wife, Belle Elmore,
the actress, within a few minutes of the
stroke of =, the morning hour nXed for
the execution.
The announcement of tine execution
from the prison was acc Ompanied by the
official statement that DR.. Crippen made
no statement or confession whatsoever
before icing hanged.
The hanging was in Pentonville pris-
on. where the prisoner had been confined
since his return to this country follow
ing his arrest in Canada.
The condemned man, who throughout
his trial and even until Home Secretary
Churchill had refused a petition for his
reprieve had maintained an lmperturba-
BILE calmness, presented a pitiful appear
ance as he was literally led throughout
the short corridor from his cell to the
scaffold. N
$685.. WAS A BOKEN MAN.
The mental anguish had been roo great
to be covered up by outward bravado and
il was a broken man the wardens were
obliged to assist up the steps to the
drop, upon which, once reached. the
shrinking figure all but collapsed.
The first report that Crippen had met
his fate calmly was contradicted by
persons who were present in the prison
during the mans last hour. The doomed
man passed a restless night and APP
reared haggard and worn when awak-
ened from his frightful slumbers. He
seemed to lose all fortitude as the end
approached A breakfast was brought
to him, but he left it untouched.
His face was colorless as he was es-
corted bareheaded to the gallows. The
a
blackcap was quickly drawn over the
face. and the moose adjusted and the
bolt drawn. .r.s
From the time that HIS reprieve was
refused, the physicians condition had
been one of agonized mental prostration.
He would see only Clara Ethel Leneve,
love for whom, the crown asserted, was
the compelling motive in the murder of
his wife; Solicitor Newton, who had
made game fight for his client, and
Father Carey, to whose ministrations ne
paid respectful attention.
CONFESSION is DOUBTED.
Now that DR.. Crippen's lirs are for
ever sealed, the usual post norton
rurnors of an eleventh-hour confession
are afoat These should he read in the
knowledge that on Sunday last the con-
demned man issued signed statement
in which he protested his perfect limo
cence; and that since that day, as for
several days before, he mad positively re-
fused to see any one other than his
keepers. Solicitor Newton, MISC Leneve
and Father Carey.
Accordingly, the testimony of only
these persons would appear to be of great
matter in throwing light On the con-
demned mans last hours.
This morning, following execution. the
prison authorities issued an official state
ment declaring that no confession had
been made. Miss LeneYe denies that
Crippen confessed. His attorney says
that so far as he knows his client mann
tanned his innocence to the end. What
was said to the priest preceding absolu-
ton cannot, of course, be known.
r. POOR STORY AT THAT.
If Crippen confessed, as is asserted by
a newly established evening newspaper.
he made poor work Of it, for the paper
gives no authorities for its assertions,
which are credited to an anonymous
friend of the doctor, who himself is
quoted but briefly.
The only alleged new facts brought
out are that Crippen was treating his
wife for indigestion and subscribed poison
for the proper medicine and that he pur-
chased In a shop in Holborn a dissect-
ing knife. which, after 1t had been used
to dismember the body, the murderer
threw into a neighbours garden.
In spite of this careless disposition of
the tell-tale weapon it has never been
recognized by the police.
With these exceptions the alleged con-
fession is a recital of the we'll known
story of the crime which might have
been told by any one who had followed
the widely published proceedings of the
court.