Page:Executions in Scotland from the year 1600 up to the present time.pdf/8

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 * Elspeth. Reid theft, Jan. 14,||1785
 * Thomas Donaldson, Wm. Buchanan, and Wm. M‘leod, housebreaking, May 23,||1823
 * Malcolm Gillespie, forgery, Nov. 17,||  26
 * Catherine Davidson, murder, Oct 30,||36
 * James Burnet, murder, May 28,||49
 * James Robb. murder, Oct. 10,||19
 * George Christie, robbery and double murder, Jan 13,||53
 * }
 * James Burnet, murder, May 28,||49
 * James Robb. murder, Oct. 10,||19
 * George Christie, robbery and double murder, Jan 13,||53
 * }
 * George Christie, robbery and double murder, Jan 13,||53
 * }

W ILLIAM C ALCRAFT, the general executioner for Great Britain, and who officiated here on the 11th August, 1853, was born in the year 1801, of humble, but industrious parents, in a little village about ten miles from London, situate in the county of Essex. When 19 years of age he was appointed to the office of Newgate Hangman, and on being installed swore tothe following oath:— “I do swear to hang or behead, and to draw and quarter, or otherwise destroy all felons and enemies of the peace of our Lord the King, and of his subjects duly sentenced according to Law, and I will do the like like unto father, mother, sister or brother, and all other kindred whatsoever, without favour or hindrance. So help me God.” Thereupon a black veil is thrown over him at his rising, when he is conducted out of the court, amid the groanings of the assemblage, the tolling of the death-bell, and the horrifying words of the city judge grating in his ears—‘‘Get thee hence, wretch!’ The hall in which the oath is administered contains a table with the following articles placed thereon : — An axe, well sharpened — the same that is used for the beheading of traitors — a pair of leg-irons—handcuffs — and other fetters — a small coil of rope — and a pair of white caps.