The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1885-12-05 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

HORRIBLE SCENE ON THE SCAFFOLD.  The execution of Robert Goodale, 45, gardener, for the murder of his wife, Bathsheba, on September 15, at Walsoken, near Wisbeach, by inflicting wounds On her head /aid then throwing her down a well, took place on Monday morning inside Norwich Castle. Berry, of Bradford, was the executioner. Only one representative of the press was admitted. Since his committal the prisoner's conduct has been most exemplary. He made a confession of his guilt, but pleaded extraordinary provocation, alleging very immoral conduct on the part of the deceased. A Baptist minister, the Rev. Thomas Wheeler, attended upon Goodale from previous Monday to his death. At three minutes to eight Goodale was brought from the condemned cell, and met by the executioner who quickly pinioned him, and then the procession moved on towards the scaffold which was over a deep pit. The acting under-sheriff and the gaol surgeon were present. Goodale, when the rope was put round his neck and the cap on his head, exclaimed, 'Good Lord, receive my soul." Berry pulled the lever, the trap doors fell away, and Goodale, who weighed 15 stone, and had a six feet drop, disappeared. To the horror of the bystanders the rope rebounded. It was thought it had become unfastened. But on the bystanders looking into the pit they beheld on its floor the decapitated body with blood oozing from the trunk. The head, with the white cap upon it, was lying against the feet. Berry had tested the rope and the scaffold before the execution.  THE SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE  TtATZT.  On Saturday the preparations for the forthcoming show at the Agricultural Hall were so far completed that the reception of the heavy machinery which is to be exhibited in the implement department began. The entries of live stock slinsv a large increase. The president of the StnithilAd Club for the present year is Sir W. G. Gordon Cumming, Dart., and the president elect Mr. J. Colman, M.P., whilst the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh have become vicepresidents. The show will be divided into 80 classes —viz., 36 for cattle, 35 for sheep, and 13 for pigs. The prize list has again been laigely angmented, and will in money alone amount to over £3OOO. In addition to this there will be the Champion Plate of the value of 100 guineas, and the gold medal for the hest specimen in any of the cattle classes, the £5O Champion Plate and medal for the best pen of sheep, an 4 the Champion Silver Cup, value £25, and medal in the classes for pigs. There are also seven silver cups, of the value of £3O each, for the best animal in the Devon, Hereford, Shorthorn, Sussex, Red and Polled, Welsh, Scotch, and Cross-bred Classes, eight silver breed cups of the value of £2O, and three of £lO each for sheep, and six of ..ElO each for pigs, besides silver medals for breeders of the prize animals in every one of:the classes, as well as the exhibitors. In accordance with the regulations, all the implements intended for exhibition will have to be in their places in the galleries and arcade and Berners Hall and other spaces now added to the main building by Thursday next. The cattle and other live stock-will commence arriving on Friday, and every exhibitor not within the gates of the Agricultural Hall before seven o'clock on Saturday evening will be excluded. The show will open on Monday -next, when the cattle will be judged and the judges will make their awards, and it is believed that the Prince of Wales, who, like her Majesty, is a very large exhibitor, with the Princess, will be present some time during the process of judging.