Execution of Alexander Mackay — For the Wilful Murder of Mrs. Grossmith
This morning the unfortunate convict, Alexander Mackay, suffered the extreme penalty of the law at Newgate, for the murder of Mrs. Grossmith, at Norton Folgate.
This is the second execution that has been carried out in private, under the provisions of the recent statute, and it, of course, necessitated the making of a great many alterations with regard to the details. It was at first proposed that the scaffold should be erected in one of the yards adjoining the scaffold, upon the level; but, although the original plan was adhered to, it was decided that the scaffold should not be on a level, and the culprit, as was the case before, had to reach the drop by ascending a ladder.
It is due to the prisoner to state that he seems to have conducted himself very well since his condemnation, and as far as outward appearance can be relied upon, he seems to have felt severe remorse for his crime. He was visited last week by his father, his brother-in-law, and two sisters, and these interviews, as may be readily imagined, were of a most painful character.
The sheriffs of the prison having arrived, immediately proceeded to the condemned cell. The executioner was shortly afterwards introduced to the prisoner, who immediately commenced pinioning him. During this very trying operation, the wretched criminal only once he exclaimed, “May the Lord have mercy on my soul!” Everything having been completed, the prisoner thanked the chaplain and officers of the prison for their kindness towards him. The procession was formed, and slowly took its way towards the scaffold, which the prisoner ascended with a firm step; the rope was then speedily adjusted, the bolt was drawn, and the wretched man after a few struggles ceased to exist.
The bell of St. Sepulchre tolled as the prisoner left his cell; and immediately on the drop falling a black flag was raised, announcing that the last dread sentence of the law had been carried into effect.
Copy of Verses
My dying moments are approaching,
Inside of Newgate’s gaol I die,
Nothing now, alas! can save me,
I see the hangman standing by;
A dreadful murder I committed,
Upon the fatal eighth of May;
At No. 11, Artillery Passage,
My own kind mistress I did slay.
Barbarously I did her murder,
I cruelly her blood did spill,
With a rolling pin and bar of iron,
I did Mrs. Grossmith kill.
Farewell my parents, friends and kindred,
Adieu! a last and fond adieu!
Your unhappy son, that deed has done,
Don’t let it bring disgrace on you;
The day I killed my dearest mistress,
Sudden, in anger, spleen, and rage,
Upon the floor, I shed her gore,
I die now eighteen years of age.
My master was away on business,
My mistress offended me,
I seized the rollig pin and iron,
Killed Mrs. Grossmith, then did flee,
I knew, alas! that I was undone,
I knew not where to hide my face,
I went away some miles from London,
Covered with shame and great disgrace.
Justice closely did pursue me,
In agony I did bewail,
In Woolwich I was apprehended.
And sent from thence to Maidstone Gaol;
Although I was an unknown murderer,
I did not feel the least surprised,
When by a photograph description,
I in the gaol was recognised.
Then, oh dear, sad was my feelings,
What pain and anguish filled my breast,
I found that Justice overtook me,
And I did the deed confess;
The dreadful sufferings I endured,
I sufficient cannot unto you state,
From Maidstone Gaol I was conveyed,
To a prison cell in Newgate.
I was tried for the dreadful murder,
The Jury they convicted me,
The Judge he passed the dreadful sentence,
Which was to die on the gallows tree;
I left the Bar in grief and sorrow,
Went to my cell for to deplore,
Inside the Gaol I die to-morrow,
Where no one ever died before.
My dying moments are approaching,
The authorities me do surround,
The hangman by me is preparing,
My limbs by him will soon be bound;
No one but those inside a prison,
A poor unhappy youth can see,
Young and old pray take a warning,
And while you live remember me.