The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1875-12-24 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

EXECUTION AT LEEDS. William Smedley, aged 54, ecnvieted on the 2nd inst., at Leeds, of the wilful murder of Elizabeth  Firth, was executed at Armley Gaol, L3eds, on Tuesday morning.  _ The condemned man, who was last visited by his relatives on Friday, has throughout his incarceration,  since the assizes, -behaved in the most exemplary manner, giving earnest heed to the exhortations of the chaplain of the gaol (the Rev. 0. Cookson). He attended the usual prisoners' service on Sunday, and Monday night the rev, gentleman asked the culprit if he would like to be seen by him during the night. He replied that he should be very glad indeed to receive all the attention from him that be could give.  This was about ten o'clock, and the chaplain saw him again between twelve and one a.m. The rev. gentle man went into the condemned cell again about three o'clock on Tuesday morning, but be found the prisoner asleep. The latter, however, rose at five o'clock, and the chaplain administered the Holy Communion to him at seven o'clock, leaving him at 7-30, that be (prisoner) might get his breakfast, of which he did not eat much.  Askern, the executioner, who arrived at the gaol at three o'clock on Monday afternoon, pinioned the prisoner in the condemned cell at a quarter to nine' o'clock, the chaplain meanwhile reading a portion of service specially prepared for the occasion. At about 8-55 the culprit was led from the condemned cell to the scaffold, which was draped in black calico,. and which had been erected in the open air close to the hospital, but in such a position that no prisoner, was able to witness the execution.  The procession to the scaffold was headed by the Under Sheriff (Mr. W. Gray) and the Governor of the gaol (Mr. C. A. Keene), with bared beads. Then cams the chaplain, reading solemn portions of Scripture, followed by the condemned man, who was supported by two warders. The executioner came next, and then the chief warder. In this order a long corrider waS traversed, and a path outside lined with warders. The culprit's arms were fastened to his side with belt, and he wore shabby clothing of his own. The only persons present, besides those we have named, were five representatives of the Leeds Ptess, the Chief Constable (Mr. Henderson), the gaol. surV.fal. (Mr. W. N. Priea).: gig() Mr. WriglA, good, and and Mr. McGill, surgeons. The culprit ascended the scaffold steps with considerable difficulty, apparently leaning heavily on the arms of the supporting warders. As soon as the platform of the scaffold had been attained, the executioner pat a white cap over his head, then the noose of the rope, and then he tied his legs together, the chaplain all the while loudly praying for the condemned man's soul. The culprit also prayed himself, calling out "Lord Jesus receive my soul ;" " my spirit." As the chaplain prayed, "Into Thy hands,0 Father, we commend this soul now about to depart from the body," the bolt was withdrawn with startling suddenness, and soon all that was mortal of Wihiaifl Smedley was swinging in mid-air. The shock of the drop appeared to cause the body to turn slightly round, but otherwise not the slightest motion was visible. In a few seconds life appeared to be extinct. The executioner descended the scaffold steps, looked behind the calico—the head of the culprit alone being visible after the fall—and then walked for a minute or two out of sight of the scaffold. A moment or two after the bolt had been withdrawn, the governor of the gaol signalled to the engineer of the gaol, who was on the central tower, and a black flag was hoisted as an indication to the outside world that the execution was over. This flag was allowed to' float for an hour, or until the cutting down of the body by the executioner. We may also mention that the prison bell was tolled from 8-45 to 9-15; and that an inquest on the body of William Smedley was held during the day, after whick L the body was placed in a coffin, and buried without ; ceremony, in the presence of the Under-Sheriff and the Governor of the gaol. Although it was not possible for any of the generia ~ public to see any portion of the proceedings in conned; tion with the execution, beyond the arrival anti ; departure of gentlemen whom duty required tol);. . present, there were some 20 or 30 persons colleco just outside the gaol, and a dozen or two more OP I assembled in Armley-road.