The Sun. — 1868-09-08 (London, England)

THE FIRST EXECUTION WITHIN  NEWGATE.  This morning Alexander Mackay suffered the extreme penalty of the law within the walls of Newgate for the murder of his mistress, Mrs. Grossmith. The details of the crime will be fresh in the recollection of our readers, and it will suffice to say that the accused, in a fit of passion, murdered his mistress by repeatedly striking her with a rolling-pin, and for a long time eluded the vigilance of the police. The old saying that " murder will out" was exemplified in his case, for whilst undergoing a term of imprisonment for some trivial offence  he was identified as the man "wanted" for the murder of Mrs. Grossmith. A writ of Habeas Corpus was obtained, and the prisoner was tried at the last sessions of the Central Criminal Court, and sentenced to death, the jury, however, appending a recommendation of mercy to their verdict. To that suggestion the presiding judge (Mr. Justice Lush), owing to the atrocious circumstances attending the commission of the murder, could not give his acquiescence, and as a consequEnce, notwithstanding various petitions, the Home Secretary refused to exercise his prerogative, and the fate of Mackay was decided. Since 4is conviction the culprit has been most assiduously attended by the chaplain, and to the ministrations of that official he has paid the most anxious and marked attention. He exhibited the greatest contrition for his crime, and died in the belief that his offences would be pardoned. As this was the first private execution within Newgate, more than ordinary interest was manifested in the proceedings. The preparations for the carrying out of the sentence were not entirely completed until Saturday, when the scaffold was erected within one of the yards adjoining the chapel. The dread machine was the one formerly used when public executions were the law of the land, and the drop—about eighteen inches—was the same as that on which many a poor wretch has expiated his crime. The scaffold itself was raised several feet from the ground, and the only means of ascent was by a ladder. The front of the whole structure was covered with black cloth, so that after the drop fell only the head, neck, and shoulders of the culprit were visible. At half-past eight about half a dozen members of the press, who by the courtesy of the undersheriffs were allowed to witness the execution, were admitted within the courtyard where the scaffold was erected, and on entering one could not fail to observe the religious silence which pervaded the whole place, and which formed a striking contrast to the ribald jests and the fanatic rantings which used formerly to be an almost necessary concomitant of an execution. About a quarter to nine Mr. Sheriff M'Arthur, attended by UndersheriffsDavidson and Stone, Mr. Jonas (the governor), and other officials, arrived, and shortly afterwards the tolling of St. Sepulchre's bell informed the passer-by that something more than ordinary was about to take place. As the clock struck nine, amid the deepest silence the mournful procession wended its way up to the stairs  leading to the scaffold, which Mackay ascended with a firm, though not defiant step. He looked exceedingly pale, but as far as could be seen never moved a muscle. On arriving at the drop he submitted himself to the hands of Calcraft with evident composure, and after the white cap was drawn over his pallid countenance the words " Lord have mercy on me" were fully audible. After shaking hands with the executioner the bolt was withdrawn, and after struggling for about a minute and a half .Mackay was dead. The chaplain stated that a more penitent man he had never seen, and he felt sure that true contrition was felt by Mackay for his misdeeds. After hanging the prescribed time the body was cut down and examined by the doctors, who, of course, pronounced life extinct. Subsequently an inquest was held in conformity with the Act. From eight to half-past nine o'clock there was a crowd of about a hundred persons, principally consisting of boys, assembled outside the prison, but beyond seeing the black flag hoisted as the drop fell, their morbid curiosity could not have been in the least gratified.