The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1824-04-24 (London, England)

EXECUTION OF DALE AT CHESTER, FOR THE MURDER OF MR. WOOD. 'From the Chester Guardian.] Yesterday (Thursday) morning, at about five o'clock, this unfortunate young man was delivered up by the Sheriff of the county to the Sheriff's of the city, to be executed according to his sentence. During the previous night he enjoyed sound repose for about an hour and a half; Mr. Keeling sat up with him. Before he slept he was particularly anxious to be awake again at three o'clock, " becattse, you know," said he to Mr. Keeling, "we should devote as much as possible of our time to devotion." Early as was his removal from the county gaol to the city, many persons were there to witness his transit, and with as many as came within his reach he cordially shook hands, bidding them an affectionate farewell. He did not appear so badly in health as was generally expected. Arrived at the city gaol, the whole morning was spent in conversation and devotional exercises with Mr. Keeling, in which Dale gave Mr. Keeling well grounded assurances of his hope in death, and expressed his surprise that death could be met with so much happiness as he then felt in its contemplation. As the time fur the execution began to approach, Dale expressed an anxiety almost amounting to impatience for the arrival of the officers, and as soon as they arrived he begged to be immediately led out to the place of execution, which request was complied with, by which means the execution was over earlier than usual, nothwithstanding which, a great crowd of spectators was present. According to the declarations of Dale, made at the time when he could have had no earthly motive for concealing the truth or uttering a falsehood, he was not the actual murderer of Mr. II ood. He says that he had little or no previous acquaintance with the I two men he met with on the road, Taylor and Platt (the latter 'name he says should be Pratt, a person who was discharged tidal the castle of Chester only a few days before), and he believes that when they overtook Mr. Wood, none of them contemplated mug, der, and if robbery was contemplated by the others, it was unknown to him. When he saw them use Wood roughly, he begged of them to desist, and was answered by a threat that they would serve him in the same way. He then attempted to leave them but ' was threatened again, au4 by threats and ridicule was induced to remain in their company, partake of their booty, and be, as it appeared upon the trial, their servant. The sum of four shillings and sixpence is all the other two allowed him of the spoil. Ile says he was not aware that Wood was killed for some time after. Wood had engaged him as a workman. Thus terminated the short career of this (we have reason to believe) amiable young man. Without criminal dispositions or habits (as it appears), through a brief and casual association with persons of an opposite description, he has been brought to utter rum—to end his days upon the gallows, when he had scarcely completed his eighteenth year. We may probably, if time and spocc permit, revert to this subject again. It is replete with instruction to youth generally, and a lessan by no meats uucalled for in this city.