Glasgow Courier. — 1858-01-16 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

EXECUTION OF JOHN THOMSON AT PAISLEY FOR MURDER.  On Thursday morning, John Thomson,-cdias Peter Walker, who was convicted at the recent sitting of the High Court of Justiciary in Glasgow of the murder of Agnes Montgomery, at Eaglesham, by administering to her prussic acid, was executed in County Square, Paisley. The attendance of spectators was very great; there would be not less than 20,000 present, among whom we noticed a large number of women. The gallows was erected about twelve o'clock the previous night, just immediately in front of the main entrance to the County Buildings. While the workmen were employed at this there was a large crowd looking on; the greater portion, however, withdrew when the scaffold was finished. There were very few people in County Square until about five o'clock in the morning, when they began to flock into it in hundreds. The prisoner was attended up till 11 o'clock on Wednesday night by the Rev Mr Aitken. He then retired to rest, I and slept soundly for about three h ours. Mr Bird, the Governor, afterwards spent an hour or two with him, until the arrival of the Rev Messrs Wilson, Aitken, and Smith, about half-past six. These gentlemen remained with the prisoner in his cell until the hoar of execution. As the hour drew near Thomson showed more feeling than he had done almost since his trial, and at one time fears were entertained that he would break down, as he appeared much exhausted. The administration of a glass of wine relieved him considerably, however, and when removed from his cell he had regained his wonted appearance of composure. Precisely at eight o'clock, the prisoner, accompanied by the Rev Mr Wilson of the Abbey Church, the Rev Mr Aitken of the South Church, the Rev Mr Smith, chaplain of the prison, Dr Paten, the surgeon of the prison, and Mr Bird, the governor, entered the Court Hall. Here they were met by the Provost and Magistrates, Mr Sheriff Glasgow, and the other officials. Calcraft, the executioner, then proceeded to pinion the prisoner, who remained perfectly passive. Immediately afterwards the prisoner was conducted to the scaffold, leaning upon the arm of the Rev Mr Aitken. Calcraft having adjusted the rope, and pulled a cap over Thomson' head, the Rev Mr Wilson off,red up a short and impressive prayer. As soon es the rev, gentleman had concluded, according to a prearrangement, the bolt was withdrawn, and in a few moments the unfortunate culprit was in eternity. With the exception of a few convulsive spasms, all appearance of life fled as soon as the drop fell. The body, after remaining suspended for about half an hour, was cut down, and interred within the precincts of the prison. The crowd behaved generally with great propriety. There was very little noise. At the moment that the bolt was withdrawn a shriek was given from a number of women in the crowd, and several persons fainted. The cutting down of the body was, however, a most brutal sight, and elicited loud groans and other marks of disapprobation from the crowd. Calcraft having loosed the rope, the assistant executioner took hold of the body and carried it off the scaffold as a butcher would the carcase of a calf. It was a most revolting sight. As soon as the body had been removed, workmen proceeded to remove the scaffold, and in the course of half an hour all trace of the execution had gone. The crowd then slowly dispersed.