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moved his feet from the platform, when in an instant the rope had its
full tension; and, by pulling the man’s legs, he ceased struggling, and
in a few minutes was dead. It is thought, that if his arms had not been
fastened by a cord, the handkerchief would have given way, and the most
painful consequences would have resulted. As it was, his sufferings
were considerably protracted. The distortions of his countenance, in
the agonies of death, could be seen by the crowd; and, as he remained
suspended without any covering to his face, the horrible spectacle was
most terrific. The shrieks of the women, and the cries of the men,
rendered the scene more painful than any one we had ever witnessed
before; and but for the wise precaution of erecting extra barriers
across the street, much mischief would have been done in the confusion.
The sufferings of the poor woman were momentary.--When she was brought
into the dock, at the bottom of the stairs leading to the scaffold,
she took a seat on a bench. Mr. Baker attended her, while Mr. Cotton
attended White on the scaffold. Her eyes were closed, and her
resignation was surprising. She ejaculated, “Into thy hands, oh Lord! I
commit my soul;” and just before she ascended the scaffold, she said,
“God have mercy, save my soul! and pity and pardon my poor friend
Patrick” (alluding to Riley). Whilst on the scaffold, she continued
praying, in which she was in some degree disturbed by the extraordinary
conduct of her fellow culprit.
The crowd were greatly affected by the horrid sight which they had
witnessed, and we trust that this example will have its due effect upon
the minds of the thoughtless and wicked.
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3, Monmouth Court.
CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF WILLIAM CORDER, THE MURDERER OF MARIA
MARTEN.
Since the tragical affair between Thurtell and Weare, no event has
occurred connected with the criminal annals of our country which
has excited so much interest as the trial of Corder, who was justly
convicted of the murder of Maria Marten on Friday last.
THE CONFESSION.
“Bury Gaol, August 10th, 1828.--Condemned cell.
“Sunday evening, half-past Eleven.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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