Nantwich, Sandbach & Crewe Star — 1890-04-12 ()

EXECUTION OF RICHARD DAVIE S.  A TOUCHING SCENE.  Telegraphing from Knutsford on Tuesday morning, as special correspondent of the ' Press Association, our reporter said :—This morning Richard Davies was executed at Knutsford Gaol for the murder of his father at The Rough, near Crewe, on Saturday night, January 25th, 1890. At half-past seven a knot of Knutsford residents had assembled outside the gates of the goal, and at twenty minutes to eight the gates were opened to admit some half-dozen reporters. They were conducted along corridors by the governor of the prison. Captain Price, and at length arrived opposite the condemned cell, in which the poor youth was passing almost his last moments, The chaplain, the Rev. W. N. Truss, surpliced and prayer-book in hand, his lips moving in silent prayer. was standing a few yards away from the cell door. It was then, at about ten minutes to eight, that the  FIRST MOURNFUL NOTE OF THE PRISON BELL fell on the ears of the group who were called upon to be witnesses of the dying agonies of the poor youth. At About five minutes to eight the executioner, Berry, appeared with Mr Walter Greg, the acting undersheriff. In his hand he held the straps that so soon were to pinion the limbs of Richard Davies, and while he stood waiting some yards from the cell, watching the door, he dangled the belts behind his back. A minute or two had passed thus when ttvo warders entered the cell, and a short glimpse was caught of the unhappy youth who in the spring of his life was to be cut off by a death which the law demanded. The door was immediately closed, and a few seconds afterwards Berry walked to the cell door, opened it, and entered. Before it was closed, the reporters, grouped at some distance from the cell, saw him stretch out his straps, grasp the two ends, and stoop down, evidently to pinion the prisoner, who was concealed from view by the halfopened door. Only a few seconds elapsed when out of the cell was seen to issue the Poor youth over whose mortality exacting law and lenient mercy had fought such a struggle. His face was blanched, and his features were twitching with the agony of the dreadful anticipation of his near fate. BERRY'S STRIPS ENCIRCLED HIS ARMS • just above the elbows, the youth's hands were clasped, his eyes upraised, and his moving lips indicated that he was muttering a prayer, whilst his earnest look proclaimed dud his heart dictated his petition. On either hand of him as he came from the cell were two warders.  The chaplain at once commenced, in trembling' aceents, to recite the burial service as the procession, headed by the governor of the gaol and the under. sheriff, moved along the corridor. Berry walked immediately behind the prisoner, and the reporters followed a few paces distant. With a firm step walked the prisoner, his head bowed low towards the floor of the corridor, which in the quietness of the morning resounded with the slow and measured tread of mournful, footsteps. After paoceeding about thirty yards the governor and Mr. Greg turned to the right to enter a passage which led into a yard. A freshly-blowing morning breeze greeted the group as they crossed the open space, and the prisoner raised his eyes to take