Lancaster Standard and County Advertiser. — 1894-05-25 (Lancaster, Lancashire, England)

EXECUTION OF THE WALTON MURDERER. John Langford, who was condemned to death at the recent maims for the murder of Elizabeth Steven, with whom he cohabited, was execnted on Tuesday morning within the precincts of Walton Gaol, Liverpool. No reporters were admitted, and the fact that the execution had been effected WWI indicated by the hoisting of the black flag. The morning was beautifully tine. and the morbid sightseers who assembled to witness the death signal fluttering in the breeze were rather more numerous than usual. This was probably due to the fact that both the culprit and the woman ' whose life he bad taken were pretty well known among a certain clam of people in Walton. The circumstances of the murder were naturally the topic of conversation among the spectators, and the opinion was generally expressed that, shocking as was the crime, the clemency of the Crown might, as in similar owes, have been exercised in favour of Langford. The black flag announcing that the sentence of the law had been carried out was not hoisted until three minutes past eight. and a feeling prevailed amongst those assembled outaide the gaol that some hitch or bungle had occurred. After the execution the reporters made a request to the warder at the prison gate to see the governor, but they were informed that that gentleman had decided to have no communication whatever with them. Among those present on the scaffold were the Under-Sheriff (Mr. Wilson), the Governor of Walton Gaol (Mr. Miles Walker), Dr. Beamish (priaon surgeon), and Dr. Hammond, as well as the they. David Morris, the chaplain of the prison. The executioner was Billington, who arrived at the gaol on Monday evening and slept there all night. The usual certificate of death, signed by the prison officials, was affixed outside the gaol gates shortly after the execution. In an interview with the Bev. David Morris, the prison chaplain, directly after the execution, the rev. gentleman said that everything was performed expwlitiously and without the slightest hitch of any kind. Asked the reason for the delay of three minutes before the black flag w. hoisted, Mr. Morris mid that he wes responsible for that ; be was occupied with Langford, who evinced much anxiety about his souls welfare, until almost eight o'clock. The man was thoroughly penitent. and has, said the chaplain. received now, without doubt, that mercy which was not extended to him on earth. Langford was awake at an early hour in the morning, and at seven o'clock attended a servicirwhich was held in the prison chapel. Ile was most attentive to all that was mid to him, and partook in a reverential manner of the Holy Communion. Ile had been in his youth a member of the Church of England. had been confirmed, and been admitted to the Communion. As lie became older, however, befell into loose habits and drank much, until he reached that unfortu. nate condition in which he allowed himself to be carried away by his temper. and commit murder no well as attempt his own life. The unfortunate man walked firmly to the scaffold, which is a per. rnanent structure, and but a short distance from the condemned call. He betrayed but little emotion. reciting the responses to the berial service, which was read by the chaplain, distinctly and fervently. He elute no statement upon the scaffold, and met his doom with the utmost resignation.  Mrs. Elgood, wife of • bank clerk et Loughborough. was, on Wednesday, fined £2O for cruelty to her atepson.