Bridlington and Quay Gazette. — 1888-01-14 (Bridlington, Humberside, England)

EXECUTION OF DR. CROSS.  The excieuti n of Dr. Philip Cones for the murder of his wife at Shandy Hall, near Dripsey, in Jane last, by poisoning, took place on Tuesday mornleg in Cori County Gaol. The condemned man remained in a state of prostration during the part few day s, but he appears to have met hie end with firmnese and extraordinary coolness. Hs is stated not to have betrayed the slightest emotion. The executioner was Berry, who allowed a drop of about five feet and • half. Two clergymen accompanied him to the scaffold after he had attended the final service. He partook of the Communion on Monday morning. No represextatives of the press were allowed to witness the execution, and very little information was afforded by the officers as to the circumstances attending it. It was elated that the culprit's coat and collar were removed to allow the halter to be properly adjusted, and that after death his neck appeared to have been broken by the drop. The announcement of the execution was awaited with great interest in Dublin. Dr. Cross was known to s large number of persons in the Irish metropolis, and special editions of the evening papers were eagerly bought. A Dublin correspondent sends some particulate 'of Dr. Cross's career. Be says : —Dr. Cross was no ordinary man. He was of title martial bearing and of rather handsomely cot features, and a bold, fearless countenance. He had reached the age of sisty-three ; bet up to the time he was condemned to death his form was as erect and his disposition as passionate as when in his younger days in the army he excited feelings of adtoiratioe and terror by his dantlesa courage, dare-devil deeds, and overbearing nature. Both Dr. Cross and his father were ardent sportsmen. When the last wdl and testament of his father was proved, it is alleged to have contained a clause bequeathing hte body to hound, and his soul to the devil. When he entered the army as surgeon be was attached to the 63rd Begiment, and served in the Crimea, in Canada, several foreign etatione. He does not appear to have been at all popular while in the army, for more than one letter was received during the progress of the trial from brothers officere, °dorm z to be his executioner should he be convicted. On the other hand, letters have been received speekiug of his indomitable courage, thel fearless bravo), and reckless daring with which he repeatedly saved the lives of others at the imminent risk of his own. He was very unpopular among some of his neigh, bones, and had been boycotted by the National Lesgue. Notwithstanding, on the 10th of January 1886, he attended a coursing meeting at Farran. A crowd of roughs attacked him with stones. Dr. Cross, however, refuted to leave and laid about them with his riding-whip, with which he always appeerei in public, with such fiord effect that bie assailants slunk away. During tire same period he hunted the Mnskerry country with the 20th Hussara' hounds. Owing to his anpopulaiity with some members of the heat, he was requested to discontinue his attendance, but angrily . refused, and on several subsequent occasions when he put in en appearance at the meetiegs the hound. were drawn off and hunting abandoned. The story of the crime for which Dr. Cross has been executed is well-known. After the refusal of the Lord-Lieutenant to respite the death sentence Dr. Crone became very much changed in his demeanor. He persisted in asserting his innocence, and raid he was not afraid to foes death ; but regretted his fate on account of the members of Ms family.—The formal immest on the body of Dr. Cross was opened 'an hour after his execution. The evidence of the doctor and Deputy-Governor showed that the set,. • tenor of the law hal been duly carried out. The jury asked that Berry, the executioner, should give ' evident*. The Governor replied that Berry had left the gaol, and he did not know where he was. The jury insisted upon examining him, and the Coroner thereupon adjourned the inquest. The angry feeling doplayed at the inquiry was evidently caused by the exeltution of the press from the execution.