The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1892-11-19 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE EXECUTION. On Tuesday morning Neill was hanged in Newgate Gaol. It will be remembered that he had beeu couvieted of the murder of a woman named Glover, by poisoning her with strychnine. The necessary preparations had been made under the superintendence of Bil ington, the executioner. Neill fully appreciated the fact that his end was drawing near. He is described as having had a very morose disposition all day en Monday. He was seen in the course of the day by the chaplain, who had been unremirting in his endeavours to bring the convict into a happier frame of mind and to a sense of his condition ; but to little purpose. The wretched man passed most sleepless nights since his condemnation, an ' it is stated that during the last week or so he scarcely had more than four or five hours' sleep each night. The convict retired to rest between 9 and 10 o'clock on Monday night, but he was very restless, and slept little. He arose shortly after 7 o'clock, when the final operations for the execution were completed. Neill dressed himself in abl ,ck morning coat and brown trousers. He washed himself and then awaited his last meal. He was little disposed to converse with the warders. The convict's breakfast, which consisted of a pint of tea, bread and butter, and two eggs, was orought into his cell at 8 o'clock, but he ate nothing. The Rev. Mr. Merrick, the gaol chaplain, arrived soon after 8 o'clock, and at once proceeded to the cell of the condemned man to offer hi n spiritual solace in his last moments. The convict paid respectful attention to the solicitations of his counsellor, but nothing beyond this. The warders temporarily withdrew during the interview, which lasted until nearly a quarter to 9. The Governor of the Prison, Colonel Militias, arrived at the prison at about 20 minutes to nine, and he was shortly followed by Mr Under-Sheriff Metcalfe, and Dr. Gilbert, the medical officer of the prison. The passing bell of the Church of St. Sepulchre commenced to toll punctually at a quarter to nine, its notes sounding over the prison, giving ominous warning to Niell of his fast-approaching end. At five minutes to nine the governor of the gaol, Mr. Under-Sheriff Metcalfe, Dr. Gilbert, and Mr. Scott, the chief warder, accompanied by Billington, proceeded to the condemned cell. Neill looked haggard, and was very pale. He made no observation to Billington, who dexterously began to pinion his arms with the straps which he carried. At a motion from the Under-Sheriff the unhappy man left his cell, walking with a tolerably firm step into the corridor outside. After a momentary pause a procession was formed for the scaffold, which is situate within a minute's walk of the condemned cell. The convict appeared half-dazed. Passing through the iron-grated partition which separates the condemned cells from the main portion of the prison, the mournful procession termed sharply to the right, and then wended its way across an open yard into the scaffold shed. Neill walked unassisted to the drop, and took his place beneath the beam without a word. Billington lost not a moment in adjusting .the strap around the convict's legs. He then drew from his pockets white cap, which was placed over the convict's head and fixed by the noose of the rope. As the chaplain commenced the Lord's Prayer, all being completed, at a sign from the Under Sheriff the warders, who stood on either side supporting the convict, stepped back, and at the same moment Billington pulled the lever, the bolts supporting the drop were drawn, and Neill was launched into eternity. The convict was a thick-set, powerfully. built man, weighing between 12st. and 13,t. He was given a drop of a little over 51t. Death was said to have been instantaneous, and the execution to have been carried out in all respects satisfactorily. The nsual formal inquest followed. It is understood that the convict left no confession.