Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1885-12-05 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

TERRIBLE SCENE ON THE SCAFFOLD.  The execution of Robert Goodale, aged forty-five, a gardener, for the murder of his wife on September 15 at Walsoken, near Wisbech, by inflicting wounds on her head and then throwing her down a well, has taken place inside Norwich Castle. Berry, of Bradford, was the executioner. Only one representative of the press was admitted. Since committal prisoner's conduct I had been most exemplary. Ile made a confession of I his guilt, but pleaded extraordinary provocation. The Rev. Thomas Wheeler attended upon Goodale. At three minutes to eight o'clock on the morning appointed, Goodale was brought from the condemned cell, and was met by the executioner, who quickly pinioned him, and the procession then moved on towards the scaffold, which was over a deep pit. The acting under-sheriff and the gaol surgeon were present. Goodale, when the rope was put round his neck, and the cap put on, exclaimed, "Good Lord, receive my soul." Berry pulled the lever, the trap doors fell away, and Goodale, who weighed fifteen stone, and had a six feet drop, disappeared. To the horror of the bystanders the rope rebounded. It was thought it had become unfastened. But on the bystanders looking into the pit they beheld on the floor the decapitated body, with blood oozing from the trunk and the head, with the white cap upon it, lying against the feet. Berry bad tested the rope and scaffold before the execution. At the inquest the Governor of the castle, the executioner, and the gaol surgeon were examined. Both the Governor and Berry stated that the machinery of the droo was in perfect order, and worked satisfactorily. Berry said, after pinioning Geodale, he walked him towards the drop, when being rather frightened, he faltered, so he had to push him ferward. After the usual routine he asked (loodale if he had anything to say. He answered, No. Berry pulled the lever, and Goodale dropped from the top to the bottom of the pit, which was lift. sin. deep. His head came off as dean as if cut with a knife. The heed and body fell together. Berry mid the length of the drop was not unusual, for at Durham he gave Lowson, who weighed sixteen atone, an eight feet drop. The rope did not break. Berry would only account for what occurred by Goodale having a thin vertebra. Mr. Robinson, gaol surgeon, said Berry, who was perfectly sober, carried out his duties coolly and properly. On the drop falling he saw the head separate Cron the body. Death was instantaneous. The jury found the customary verdict, and said no ono was to blame.  Av the Lofidon Guildhall Police-court, Charles Brook, a carpenter, and William Reed, a porter, have been charged with burglariously breaking out of the Post Office Tavern, Noble-street, St. Martin's-le-Grand, and stealing three coats and other property, belonging to Alfred Daniel Grant, the landlord. The prisoners were remanded. Itimmercr, at the Great Central Hall, Bishopsgate, London, Mr. Geo. King replied to the speech made at Leadenhail-market by Alderman Cotton, in winch that gentleman described beer as being "nourishing." In a sense he admitted what Alderman Cotton mid was correct, for without the nourishment given to them by beer, pauperism, lunacy, and crime could scarcely exist. slr. W. Bell, of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Unionvkpoke of the recent raid on working men's drinking and gambling clubs in Manchester, which resulted in heavy fines and the closing of 25 "clubs." lie advised his hearers to join no club where strong drink was sold. In the course of his speech he took occasion to speak of " fair" trade as being " fair " humbug. The announcement of the return of Mr. Win. Saunders (president of the moonotion) for Hull, and Mr. Joseph Leicester (a frequent speaker at the hall) for West Ham, was received with loud cheers.