The Warwickshire Herald. — 1888-08-09 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

EXECUTION OF JACKSON.  On Tuesday morning John Jackson was executed for the murder of Assistant Warder Webb. It was in Strangeways Gaol, Manchester, that the crime for which he suffered death was committed ; in Strangeways Gaol also he expiated his offence. Upon such occasion there is always a considerable throng of persons assembled in the neighbourhood of the prison ; but the exceptional interest taken in the fate of this dariug criminal induced a more than usually large gathering. Since his conviction Jackson had been very much depressed. To the ministrations of the prison chaplain, the Rev.J. Dreaper, he was very attentive, and appeared to be softened thereby. On Sunday evening the governor of the gaol, Major Preston, communicated to the culprit the decision of the Home Secretary, and although Jackson scarcely expected a respite, he wept when he heard that hie doom was sealed. He cordially thanked Major Presto for the kindness with which lie had been treated dot. log his incarceration,and asked that gentleman to convey his acknowledgments to the gaol officials. At 3 o'clock Jackson retired to rest. He spent a troubled night, not sleeping till about 10 o'clock, and then for a couple of hours ; after that he slept little, if at all. lie rose at 6 o'clock, and the usual breakfast of buttered bread and tea was provided for him, but he ate very little, and the chaplain strove to prepare him for the fate which awaited him. Berry, who had stayed over-night in the prison, entered the condemned cell about three minutes to eight. Jackson was then praying very fervently. Berry shook hands with him, bade him good-bye, and speedily completed the pinioning process. Jackson submitted quietly. The procession to the scaffold was then formed. Accompanying the culprit were four warders, one of whom walked on each side of him. The chaplain led, reading the burial service. Froni the condemned cell to the corridor is about six paces, and from thenee to the scaffold 10 paces. The whole of the prison staff were drawn up in the centre of the hall, except two or three who were in the yard outside as patrols. The prison bell, which had tolled at intervals since • quarter to was rung just before the procession came into view, and this constituted Jackson's death knell. The scaffold abuts on the outer yard, and the execution therefore took place in the open air. Immediately Berry drew the white cap over the condemned loan's face and head, the bolt was drawn, and the body of the culprit swung beneath. His weight being 10st. 11b., a drop of It. Mil. was given. The sentence was carried out NA ithout a hitch of any kind, and death appeared to be instantaneous. On the scaffold Jackson was rale and subdued. He said nothing, and he has left no detailed confession, , but while under sentence he practically admitted having committed the crime of which lie was convicted. This makes Berry's 126th execution.  The Lord-Lieutenant has commuted to penal servitude for life the sentence of death passed upon William Thompson for the murder of his brotherin-law in Knockamuckery Church, county Armagh. The scaffold had been erected in Armagh Gaol, and the execution was to have taken place in a few daya.  I