The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1892-05-28 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

LAST MOMENTS.  REPORTED CONFESSION.  Frederick Bailey Deeming, who was condemned to death for the murder of his wife, Emily Mather, at Windsor, Australia, on or about Christmas Day last, was executed by hanging in Swanston gaol, Melbourne, on Monday morning at one minute past 10. This is equivalent to midnight 'London time. The event caused immense excitement in Melbourne. There were numberless applications for permission to witness the final act of justice, but most of these were refused summarily. Altogether about seventy permits to see the execution were issued, and of these forty were allotted to the Press.  The governor ot the gaol says that Deeming during the last few days lost all of his levity, and became very serious, though he showed little concern, in words at any rate, at the near approach of death. He slept tranquilly as a general rule. The governor says he never had a lees Lroublesome prisoner under his charge. Deeming spent Sunday tranquilly. He read his Bible occasionally, and devoted the rest of the day to alternately writing and sketching gibbets and coffins. His mind appeared to dwell morbidly upon the details of his execution, in regard to which he made frequent inquiries' and upon receiving evasive answers he asked to be introduced to the hangman, who was a man named Jones. This lequest was refused. In the evening it was thought that the doomed man showed some indications of a desire to relieve his mind by an avowal of his guilt, and the chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Seott, was sent for, but on the arrival of the reverend gentleman Deeming not only made no confession but persisted in declaring himself innocent of the murders laid to his charge. Prior to going to the gallows he was supplied with brandy, of which since his sentence he had been receiving an allowance three times a day. During the previous night the prisoner slept fairly well for some hours. He was still asleep when called at seven o'clock. The irons with which he had remained bound were removed, and the convict at once lighted a cigar. Breakfast was them, served him. He took a moderate meal, such as he had been accustomed to receive since the sentence was pronounced. During the repast he conversed cheerfully with the officials, and declared that he was perfectly resigned to his fate. The Rev. Mr. Scott, the prison chaplain, and the Rev. Mr. Whitton arrived at eight o'clock, but time fanner left early and was not present at the execution. A little before 10 o'clock the doors of the cell were opened, and Sheriff Anderson appeared to demand the body. The hangman, who wore a false white beard, and his assistant, wearing a black beard, who had been in the oi overnight, entered and pinioned the prisoner's arms in the usual manner, Deeming submitting with quiet composure to the operation. A moment of breathless suspense, and then the spectators in the corridor beheld the condemned man walking between two clergymen, the Rev. Mr. Whitton and the Rev. Mr. Forbes. He was pale and somewhat haggard looking. He glanced quickly and eagerly at the crowd.  An immense crowd collected before the prison gates long befute the hour fixed for the execution, and remained until all was over. There was, however, no public demonstration of any kind. Prisoner walked with a firm, steady step to the gallows, the Rev. Mr. Whitton reading the Church of England service for the burial of the dead until the fatal bolt was drawn. When the rope was adjusted round the prisoner's neck, he was asked the usual question by the governor of the gaol: "At lids last moment, have you anytking to say?" Deeming murmured, in almost inaudible tones, "Lord, receive my spirit,'' or, according to the governor, "Lord, have mercy on my soul." He had all the morn• ing been in a penitent frame of mind, and was not averse to reoeiving the religious consolation which he had declined some days previously. The adjustment of the white cap over the eyes of the condemned man was the work of but a Yew seconds. Then the bolt was drawn. The body, which weighed 10st. 71b., was dropped seven feet three inches, and hung motionless at the end of the rope. The neck was evidently broken. Thirty seconds afterwards a curtain was lowered and the body was screened from view. The body was buried inside the gaol.