The Argus at KellyGang 14/11/1871
EXECUTION OF QUINN
The Ovens Advertiser thus describes the execution on Friday, at Beechworth, of James Quinn, for the murder of a Chinaman at Myrtleford:—
Immediately after the last stroke of 9 had sounded, Quinn appeared at the door of the cell, attended by Father Moran, and closely followed by Bamford, the hangman. Father Moran recited prayers as they advanced to the drop, and Quinn spoke to him, but whether in response or not was not audible. The appearance of Quinn was ghastly. His face was livid, and still more so from the white cap which was on his head. He still evidently endeavoured to control himself, and when he spoke it was quietly and not hurriedly, though there was a quiver in his voice. It was most evident that he had already tasted "the sharpness of death," and felt deeply the awfulness of the moment. The strongest signs of agony which he gave were a sort of moans which came from his lips when he was his trousers. As he came to the drop, Quinn, spoke to the following effect:—"I wish to make a statement. I am going to die an innocent man. I wish to say a few words. I am innocent. I blame my wife for all that has come to me. She has brought me to this. She and her friends got me to come from Tasmania , and then she helped them to rob me of £50." The sheriff asked him if he had anything more to say, and he replied, " No, sir," but as the cap was drawn over his face he said, and these were his last; words on earth—"God help me, I am an innocent man." Immediately afterwards the signal was given, and the unhappy man, was launched into eternity. When the drop fell the body swung partly round once or twice, and there seemed to be a muscular motion in the legs, and then there was a terrible still- ness, and the limbs hung motionless down. Bamford performed his duties with apparent relish, and quietly proceeded with them while Quinn was speaking. The fact that those who wished to be present were still outside was discovered immediately the execution was over, and the gate was at once opened. All that could be seen then, however, was the dead body of the murderer suspended to the rope.
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