The Warwickshire Herald. — 1894-08-23 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

EXECUTION AT BELFAST.  John Gilmour, aged 19, was hanged at Belfast, on Friday morning, for the murder of Lyle Gardiner. —Gardiner was nearly 80 years of age, and farmed a small piece of land at Ballyhavistock, near Ballymoney. On the night of April 30th he was retiring to rest, when a firearm was discharged through the window, the contents lodging in his stomach. He died half-a hour later. Earlier in the day Gilmour had a somewhat angry interview with Gardiner, whose daughter, it is alleged, Gilmour had seduced. An hour prior to the murder he had been seen peeping in at the window through which the shot was fired. He was arrested an hour after in bed at his father's house. It was proved that he purchased a fowling riece and some powder and shot at Ballymoney. The powder and shot were found upon him and the fowling piece ia a field close to Gardiner's house.  The Prison Governor and the Sub-sheriff entered the condemned cell shortly before 8 o'clock. Gilmour rested fairly well during the night, and rose at 5 o'clock. Having taken a light breakfast, he attended to the chaplain's ministrations till the Sub-sheriff's arrival. Before leaving the cell the condemned youth shook hands with the warders and thanked them for their kindness. In the presence of them all he confessed his guilt. Scott then pinioned the doomed man, who walked steadily from the cell to the scaffold. Almost simultaneously with his stepping on to the trap the cap and rope were adjusted, and the lever was drawn. A drop of Oft. was allowed, and death was, apparently, instantaneous.  FAILURE OF A PAPER MANUFACTURER In the Bankruptcy Court, on Friday, particulars were given of the failure of Mr. Herbert Spicer, paper manufacturer. The debtor, described as of 185, Queen Victoria-street, E. C., has stated that for 12 years prior to 1888 he carried on business as a paper manufacturer at Godalming in partnership with two brothers, and that in 1888 the business was converted into .s company with limited liability, of which he became managing director at a remuneration of £l,OOO per annum, and he stated that he was holding this position at the date of the receiving order. In 1890 the debtor was also appointed managing director of another limited liability company, formed to acquire a concession obtained by him for the establishment of paper works in Turkey, and he states that he held this appointment until November 25th, 1891, when he resigned in consequence of differences with the directors. The debtor attributes his insolvency to the subsequent failure of this company and to liability on bills drawn by him as managing director on certain shareholders in respect of calls on shares subscribed for by them. The statement of affairs discloses aggregate liabilities £54,952, of which £38,433 is expected ta rank, and assets £BO. —The debtor made no proposal, and it was stated that he had already been adjudged bankrupt. He was still receiving a salary of £l,OOO a year, but could not say how long the engagement would last. No trustee was nominated, and the debtor's affairs will be wound up in bankruptcy, the Official Receiver acting as trustee.