The Express. — 1852-04-12 (London, England)

EXECCTION OP SARAH ANN FRENCII.—LENVES, SATUILDAT Arrearroott.—This day, at noon, the wretched woman, Sarah Ana French, who was left for execution at the late Assize* for poisoning her husband, underwent the extreme penalty of the law on the drop in front of the County Gaol of this town. Of the many unhappy creatures who of late years have suffered for poisoning their husbands, perhaps none ever exhibited so revolting a want of feeling in carrying out her diabolical plan of murder u this wretched criminal. After being condemned, she had almost to be carried away from the dock, and in this prostrate condition she continued for several days. A difference of diet, and the elm attention of the medical and other authorities of the gaol, somewhat restored her. The chaplain of the gaol also succeeded in bringing her mind to a more befitting bearing, and during the last few days of her life she exhibited much composure and resignation of mind. She expressed a desire to see some of her relatives before she left the world, and in the early part of the week she was visited by two or three of them. Appeals to the new Secretary of State on behalf of condemned criminals having been peculiarly successful this anise, it was anticipated by the anti-capital punishment people of this district that the town would be spared the scenes attending a public execution. The character of the criminal's crime, however, prevented any mercy being shown her, and on Wednesday afternoon the High Sheriff received the warrant directing the law to Ile carried into effect. The erection of the scaffold was commenced on Thursday afternoon. This morning it was completed at an early hour, and, as the Jay advanced, numbers of country folks kept pouring into the town. Superintendent Flanagan, of the constabulary force, was in attendance near the drop, with a large Inidy of his men. The strict regulations enforced by the gnul authorities on such occasions prevents us giving an account of what occurred within the walls [of the prison. The chaplain was in early attendance upon the unhappy culprit, and we are authorised to state, that she fully acknowledged her guilt to him, and the justice of her sentence." Some few minutes before 12, the under•sheriff made the usual demand for her boi.y. The wretched creature nes then informed that the time had arrived for her sentence being earned into effect. She appeared greatly agitated and excessively weak, and it was • matter of doubt whether she would be able to proceed to the drop on foot. Calcraft, the Old Bailey hangman, having pinioned her, a procession was flamed, and the miserable woman was led to the scaffold, supported by two turn keys. Judging from her appearance, it would almost ap pear that, at the last few moments, she was unconscious of what was passing. The executioner, with his usual alacrity, adjusted the rope and cap, and the bolt, in the course of a minute or so, was then withdrawn. It was some minutes ere she appeared to have ceased to exist, her, struggles being rather long and severe. After the body had hung ono hour, it was cut down, and will be buried this afternoon within the precincts of the gaol. There were between 3,0110 and 4,000 persons present. HOLIDAY AT Tilt