Executions.
The Times, 1824-04-24T00:00:00

Wednesdav last dcosed the miserable existence of Joseph Dal'. Sincehis sentence, his composure has been singularly remarkable, and his deportment in every way becomr}ing hbi awful situation. At the usua1 hour. but according to an unugdT custom, the prisoner was reunoved from the Castle to the cty ggol. Mlr. Keeline, who hba been very attentive to the culprit since his trial, sat up with hini the whole of the night of Tuesday, and on the folDoing morning Dale evinced an astonishing degree of firmness. A 1itrit pair of irons were put round his ancles, and about a quarter after five o'clock, he was conducted to the eXecution cart, then waiting for Nm at Glo ver's-stone, the boundary of the city. The crowd was very great, but Dale walked with much firmness frorn the lodge-doo2,to the place wvhere the city cavalcade were waiting for him. DurincStbe passage along the streets to the city gaol he was supported bv jtr. Keeling in the cart, and scarcele opened his eyes tinl he arri-ved ae the North-gate gaol-door. fie then shook hands with a num- ber of people who pressed around him, and was assisted into tihe gaoL Exactly at 12 o'clock, the arrival of the city Sheril wasr announced to him, and this information appeared to be ILnhly pleasing, The execotionet then made his appearance, solicited bis forgive- ness, which was granted and proceeded to pinion him. JlIe stood up firmly, and gave his bands to the cord with anazing fortitudee. Whilst his arms were pirtioning, he observed, witb a smile uporn his countenance, to Alr. Ayckbowm, '" This is an easy way to get to Heaven." lie was then led towards the drop, whichl hc surveyed vrith undiminislhed firmness, and said to the hangman " I've a something for you in my pocket," alluding to a few shillings which he had deposited there for him. Mr. Ayckbowm and Mr. Keeling then took leave of him, the cap was drawvn over his face, and in less than a minute he was no more a denizen of this world. The drop fell at four minutes past 12 o'clock-nearly an hour earlier than the nsua3 time at which executions take place. Thus terminated the life of Joseph Dale, wlho, on the 15th of August next, would bave been only 20 Years ef age. Of Dale's guilt there is no doubt-he has made a full confesion he was present on the watch whilst Platt and Taylor perpetrated the barbarous murder of poor Wood l he has stated that be had called out to them not to kill the man, and he has frequently expressed his contrition for the share he had in the crime. After hanging one hour, the body was cut down, and subsequently delivered to the surgeons for dissection, Dale's features were rather prepoSessing and a cast was taken of them: they bore the characteristics of the murderers who have been executed here for the last 14 years- viz., light complexfon, light eyes, and light hair. This, certainly, is a singular coincidenec, On his left arm w ere imprinted several dots in a circle, done with gunpowvder. EXECUTION OF EDOUARD AMOR AND JOHN GOOD- hIAN, AT DEVIZES. [Frorn the Devizes Gazette.] On Tuesday last these two unfortunate men, convicted of robbing and brutally assaulting Alr. Thomas Alexander, of AlhcanninKs, were executed in front of the Penitentiary, near this town. The number of people assembled to witness the awful sene, we sheald think, amounted to from 20 to 30,000; indeed, it appeared as if the whole county had poured forth its contents. Long before the hoarappointed,thelargeyarilbefore the prison, and the ad- joining road, for a long space, were entirely fiUed. Being the first execution that has taken place in this neighbourhood, its occurring on Easter Tuesday, and Devises C-reen Fair being held on that day, all tended to increase the nu,mber ef spectttors. Within a few minutes after 12 the unhappy creatures were re- lieved of their irons; and shorty afterwards they were brought from their cells, preceded by Mr. Bush (the Under Sberiff), Alr. Dowding (the Governor of tbecounty gaol), Mr. Cocks (the Gover- nor of the Penitentiary), and the Rev. Alr. Mlavo (the Chaplain); the latter gentleman very impressively reading parts of the funeral service as he proceeded to the place of execution. Amor on enter- ing the prison-yard, gave a vacant stare around him, and then fixed his eyes intently on the ground. This poor fell1ow, we understand, WaS extremely illiterate; and his countenance would indicate that. he was equaly devoid of feeling as of understanding; but, althouglh vegy strongly built, his legs, as he walked, appeared to sink under him, ani on the drop they could scarcely support him. Goodman's countenance, On the contrary, betrayed an intensity of feeling; yet, he walked firm and erect. We occasionally saw a tear trickle down his cheek, but he struggledhard to supress it. This man had been a sergeant in the 3d, or Prince of Wal'les's, Dragoon Guards; and,to the last, showed the entire mien of a soldier. He had been in various battles during the Peninsular war, and lost an eye in Egypt; in con- sequence of which he obtained his discharge in Novembcr, 1818, after being in the army 19 years and seven days; having entered at the earl y age of 20. He received a pension of 15d. a day; and w a proof of his good character while in the armny, he was entitled tct the benefit of a fond, caulled St. George's Fund, to which all thc non-comm.ssioned officers, drummers, and privates. contribute, and which is divided amongst those discliarted from the regiment with- out ever having been disgraced. Goodman also kept an evening school at AUcannings, and had formerly worked at the trade of a sawyer. Up to the period of committing the crime for which he was to suffe., he bore the character of an honest man, but was sadly ad. dicted to drinking. The Rev. Chaplain now, with a solemnity that we are incapable of describing, thus addressed Goodman and Amor :-" John Good- man and Edward Amor, I now require of you, and each of you, ais you will in a few nmoments have to answer at the dreadful bar of' the Almighty, are you guilty of the crime of which you have been; charged, orareyounotguilty?" Goodman immedtiately sepTred, in avoice that could be heard throughout the immensecrowd, 'Not Guilty!" Amor faintly said, "I say so too"--on whicb Goodmar. urged him to speak out. He then sald in a louder tone, "I say so too-Not Guity, Gentemen, Sir," (as if confused.) Goodman af- terwards addressed the spectators in the followiiFg words :-Oood eI leave this world I wish to say a few words to you. s shal not tella lie nor do 1 wish to smother the trath, but for the last time I declare tilat I never best Mlr. Thomas Atlexanderf nor dId I rob him, on the 24th of December; nor do I know who dic&" He then with uplifted eyes, repeated in a firm voice the Lord's prayer after the rev. chaplain; he also joined fervently in, other prayers r and even when the cap was over his face, we could perceive the noo- tion of his lips. Amor, too, prayed that God would be merciful te, him. The chaplain Droceeded reading the burial service, and as he uttered the vwords, " In the midst of life we are in death," the fatal signal was given, and their eartbly career was in an instant closed for ever! The bodies, after hanging an hour, were cut down, and inL te-c evening delivered to their friends. kEXCUTZO YO 1P.XpT.'rTTrVTnX n'J.TSMPIPR DALER. AT CHh^PTRP