The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1873-01-11 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

EXECUTION AT LIVERPOOL.  The prisoner Richard Spencer, aged six', who was convicted at the recent Liverpool Assizes of the murder of his paramour, Elizabeth Wharton, was executed on Wednesday morning at eight o'clock, in the borough gaol, Kirkdale. The circumstances of the murder are briefly as follows : —The deceased woman, who was thirty-one years of age, lived with the pneoner as his wife for shout fifteen years, the pristmer's wife having left him. For come time the prisoner kept a poulterer's shop in Everton, but, being unfortunate in businees, he went to live with the deceased n a private house in Everton. On the night of the Stn of Aug. last the prisoner and deceased—both of them being sober at the time—went to bed, and about seven o'clock on the following morning the woman was aroused by what ehe described as a sharp blow on the side of the head. She said to the prisoner, "Richard, what have you been d oing ? " and he replied, "I with us both to die to,rether." The deceased woman then got up, and putting some articles of clothing on, went to a neighbour's house some distance off. The occupier of the house immediately went to the piisoner's residence, and she there found him lying in the bedroom, bleeding from two wounds in the head. He expressed a wish to gee the deceased, who went to him, and he then said to her, "Kiss me, and forgive me for what I have done." The deceased did kiss him, and when again asked what he had been doing, the prisoner produced a revolver, one of the chambers of which he had fired at the head of the deceased woman and the other two at himself. The deceased and the prisoner were both taken to the Royal Infirmary, where the former, after lingering for three days, died from her injuries ; but the prisoner ultimately recovered, and was then charged with murder. At the trial various witnesses stated that the prisoner was very fond of the deceased, and lived on very good terms with her. The deceased in her dying deposition denied that she had been unfaithful to the prisoner, and stated also that he was subject to the horrors" from drink, and sometimes slept with knives under his pillow. The defence raised was, that the prisoner's mind had become affected through losses in business, and that he was attempting to commit suicide when one of the bullets accidentally struck the deceased ; lint the jury found him guilty of murder. Shortly after the prisoner's conviction a petition to the Home Secretary for the commutation of his sentence was got up and extensively circulated in Everton and the neighbourhood, but no official action was taken. _ _ _ _ _  Calcraft arrived at Kirkdale Gaol on Tuesday, and the execution took place the following morning. The prisoner was very penitent, but protested that he had not the slightest recollection of the deed, He died instantaneously, without a struggle. He had professed himself willing to die; but he showed great terror of the scaffold. A few days I revioue t 3 his execution his wife, whom he had deserted, went to see him in prison, but he did not show any emotion in her presence. The execution was witne=sed only by a few prison officials and reporters, and there were not 20 persons outside the gaol at the hour of execution,  SC 110 DL. (robe sung during the remainder of the holidays.) VELMA torn spoorey, a dance, and a fool, Howe'er we may grumble, there's no place like School. The games and the larks that a fellow has there, Through all the vacation are wanting elsewhere. School, School, sweet, sweet S.thool ! Wherever I wander, there's no place like SchooL In study and learning I take such delight-Could always be at it from morning to night; Though holiday talks to perform 'Us my rule, For downright hard "swotting" there's no place like School School, School, sweet, sweet School! For downright bard "swotting" there's no place like SchooL  SPUTTERINGS FROM "JUDY'S" PEN,  • Mt! with Winning Ways.—Succesatul gambler'. MRS MANOOPERER NV she possesses great nwources In her dear daughters, only she has not yet been able to husband them.  A HINT —Those young ladles who make up their fews do not always find young men to make up their minds.  _ RiADAN," maid a mrtain nameless one to Jrur, the other day. " you are talking simple rubbish." "Yes, sir." replied the ever-crushing lady, "because I wish you to comprehend me." . . .  TIIZATRICAL RIDrLE —Why la a 'lrk oak-horse like a load play 7-13ecsine It won't run, and can't draw.  MR CURMCDOKOP declartqf that Christmas-time fa all Our  A BANK Director—The Goodwin Light.  Ina Order of the Beth—Hot and cold. WHAT'S the difference between the top of the Monument end a song for one voice ?—o.ie's so high, and the othera solo. . .  —.— WHAT is the use of going to see one'n bachelor friend who hu lately "popped the question"? Whenever you call, he is sure tu be engaged.  WHAT is tlre -difference between electricity and a foci ? One in 'imply marvellous, the other is marveilionsly simple, WAWA% —Can a dark woman be considered one of the fair ex. Tux Light of Other Days—The maidlght.