Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1887-04-23 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

AND EXECUTION OF CORRELL.  A letter from the Home Secretary declining to interfere with the sentence of death was communicated to Currell by the Rev. G. A. Bennetts, 8.A., minister of Green-lanes and Mildmay park Wesleyan Chapel., who has been unremitting in his attendance upon the convict since his condemnation. On the rev, gentleman informing him of the decision at which the Home Secretary had arrived, Curren expressed no surprise, but thanked Mr. Bennetts and all others who had made efforts to obtain a reprieve for him. On the afternoon preceding the execution Mr. Bennetts paid a final ministerial visit to Curse!! in Newgate. In an interview with a reporter on Sunday Mr. Bennetts mid be found the convict somewhat softened in manner, and in the course of conversation he made another confession, which is the third he has addressed to the reverend gentleman, Currell now said that in view of the fact that he was , aware that there was not the least chance of his escap' ing the death penalty, he would candidly state that he committed the murder, and that he intended doing so, haring bought the pistol some days before the crime was committed. On being asked what caused him to murder his sweetheart, Currell said be did it through jealousy, although he did not say in what way Lydia Green had acted to cause him to entertain any feeling of jealousy regarding her. He a .knowledged the juaiice of his sentence, and mid he was prepared to die. Mr. Bennetts said, however, that he did not put much faith in what the convict said, his two other confessions having been so circumstantial and his assertion so positive that he had no motive for the crime, but that the constant use of narcotics had rendered him unaccountable for his actions. Mr. Bennetts' arrangements did not admit of his attending at the execution, no that, after reading the Bible and praying with the condemned man for some time, he wished him good-bye. Currell was much moved when he came to take leave of the reverend gentleman, and he thanked him heartily for the interest he had taken in him, and his endeavours to prepare him to meet his fate.  At a few minutes before the fatal hour on the morning appointed for the finishing of the law, a procession composed of Mr. Under-Sheriff Kirby, Mr. I mireSheriff Rose Innes, Inspector Tillcock, Major Smith, the governor of the gaol, and some friends wended across the prison yard, and, entering by a narrow portal, proceeded to the place of execution, to which, in a few minutes, came Carroll, attended by the chaplain. He was calm and deeply devoted to the religious ceremony, repeating clearly the words of the service. The bell of St. Sepulchre kept up an incessant toll ng es the hangman adroitly adjusted the noose, and allowing a drop of Oft. ein, concluded the tragedy. Not a word of sympathy for the murderer was heard among those present, and the chaplain remarked. "If ever there was a case for hanging this was one." There could be no doubt but that death was instantaneous. The morning was fine, and though possibly Currell was aware of this and took his last look at earth and sky with some regret, he showed no signs of interest in the world as he came beneath the tree of doom. In front of the prison in Old Bailey a larger crowd than has assembled for some years waited in the genial morning breeze to hear the dismal toll of the passing bell, and see the black flag signal the accomplishment of the murderer's doom. In the crowd no word of sympathy was spoken, and when the flag rose the crowd melted apparently satisfied that justice had been dose.