THE DAILY EXAMINER,

TUESDAY,

APRIL 10, 1888.

read Orie

LAST HOUR OF WILLIAM WILLMAN

In the Cell and on the Gallows.

He Meets Death Unflinch- ingly “Like a Strong Christian Maa.

THE RELIGIOUS SERVICE,

The Coroner’s Verdict.

Millman’s Petition and Dying Declaration.

Wiuiu1am Miriman was hanged in the jail yard this morning for the murder of Mary Pickering Tuplin, which crime was committed on the night of Tuesday, the 28th June last. The sentence of the Court was that the execution take place between the hours of eight o'clock in the forenoon and four o’clock in the afternoon.

Long before the first mentioned hour this morning large crowds of people assembled in the vicinity of the jail, and the house-tops, fences, etc., in the neigh- borhood were occupied by people anxious to obtain a glimpse of the doomed man as he walked up the gangway leading to the scaffold.

During last night Millman did not sleep very well ; and this morning he was early astir. He was remarkably cool and col- lected and spent mest of his time praying

- with his Spiritual adviser. He also wrote two or three letters to friends. At the stroke of eight, Sheriff Curtis, the hangman, and several constables repaired to the cell where a white cotton bandage was tied about the prisoner’s eyes, his hands pinioned behind his back and the mourn- ful procession started “for the gallows, preceded by Rev. Mr. Simpson reading prayers. On each side of the prisoner was a constable, immediately after cameéthe hang- man, and the Sheriff, Jail officials, and one or two constables brought up the rear.

Millman did not appear the least ner- vous, walking as calmly to his doom as if he were about being set at liberty. On arriving on the platform, Millman was placed in a position near the trap, where he remained while Rev. Mr. Simpson offered up prayer. Nota murmur escaped him during the terrible ordeal. His lips moved only in prayer. At the conclusion of the prayers,the hangman moved Millman

orward and placed him upon the trap. While in this position the hangman buckled the straps about his legs, put the black cap upon his head, placed the noose about his neck, and stepped back. Rev. Mr. Simp- son then prayed again, and gave the con- demned man his blessing.

At seven minutes past eight Sheriff Curtis gave the signal to the hangman, the latter touched the lever which — controlled the movements of the bar under the trap, the trap parted in the centre, and the doomed man was launched into space. After turn- ing abuut once or twice, a nervous tremor spread over the body, and the legs from the hips downward contracted slightly. However, the body svon assumed a rigid position, and Dr. S. R. Jenkins, Jail Physician, and Coroner Conroy, examined it to see if life was extinct.

At 8.10 they reported him unconscious, with intermittent beating of the pulse.

At 8.11 pulse very faint.

At 8.12 pulse becoming more faint.

At 8.14 pulse still beating, but faint.

At 8.16 pulse still. faint.

At 8.17 pulse faintly perceptible.

At 8.19 pulse beating faintly every ten seconds.

At 8.19} pulse stopped beating, and life declared extinct.

His coffin, which was of pine, covered with French merino, and having black English mounting, was placed directly underneath the body, upon two stools. It was 6 feet 3 inches in length, 19 inches in width, and was lined with white unbleached cotton. Upon the breast-plate on the lid was the inscription:—

WILLIAM MILLMAN. JESU MERCY.”

At 8.26 Dr. Jenkins gave the order to have the body taken down. This was done, after which the rope was removed from the neck by the hangmen, and the body was placed in the coffin. On examination by the surgeons it was found that the neck had been dislocated by the fall. The only marks visible were a slight discoloration of the throat made by the rope, and some abrasions on the wrists caused by the handcuffs.

The coffin was then moved to the jail office, where an inquest was held by Coro- ner Conroy, and the different certificates were duly attested to.

THE INQUEST.

The information of James Curtis and Stephen R. Jenkins, taken at the Queen’s County Jail in the Province of Prince Edward Island, on Tuesday, the tenth day of April, A. D. 1888, touching the death of William Millman :—

James Curtis—sworn.

This deponent saith :—I am the Sheriff of Queen’s Connty, in the Province of Prince Edward Island. This is the body of William Millman, who was tried and found guilty of the murder of Mary Pickering Tuplin, and who was this day duly executed in accordance with the sontence of the Supreme Court of this Province.

Jamas CURTIS, Sheriff.

Stephen R. Jenkins—sworn. Lama physician and medica] attendant to

the Queen’s County Jall. I have examined the body of William Millman now lying dead,

His death was caused by hanging in accord- ance with the sentence of the Supreme Court of this Province. \ STEPHEN R. Jenkins, M. D. The above informations taken and acknow- ledged before me the day, year and place above mentioned. Peter Conroy, M. D., Coroner for Queen’s County.

CANADA, Province of Prince Edward Island.

}

An Inquisition taken for Our Sovereign Lady the Queen at the Common Gaol of the County of Queen’s County, on Tuesday, the tenth day of April, in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight, in the fifty-first year of the reign of Our Sovereign Lady Victoria, before Peter Conroy, Physician and Surgeon, one of the Coroners of our said Lady the Queen for the said County, on view of the body of William Millman then and there lying dead, upon the oath of Augus tus Hermans, Theophilus L. Chappelle, James Henderson, Thomas C. Robins, Cyrus V. Mc- Gregor, Charles L. Strickland, George R. Montgomery, good and lawful men of the said County, duly chosen, and who being then and there duly sworn and charged to inquire into and ascertain the identity of the body of Wil- liam Millman, and whether judgment of death was duly executed on the said William Millman, do upon their oath say that they have enquired into and ascertained the iden- tity of the hody of the said William Miilman, and that the said William Millman came to his death by having the judgment of death duly executed upon him.

In witness whereof we, the said Coroner and the jurors aforesaid, have hereunto set and subscribed our hands and seals the day and year first above written.

Perer Conroy, M. D., Coroner. Aveustus Hermans, Foreman. Tuero. L. CHAPPELLE,

James Henperson, M. D., Tuomas C. Rosins,

Cyrus V. McGregor,

C. S. SrrickLanp,

Gxzo. R. Monrcomery.

The originals of all the papers con- sisting of the certificates of the Surgeon, the declarations of the Sheriff and Jailer, and the Coroner’s inquest are to be for- warded to the Secretary of State, Ottawa, and printed copies of the same are to be exhibited as soon as possible for twenty- four hours at least at or near the entrance to the jail.

THE RELIGIOUS SERVICE.

A member of the Staff of Taz ExaMIneR supplies the following report :

Ten days ago (on the 31st of March) in the ‘* Varia” column of THe Examiner I wrote: ‘I saw him (Millman) once in the Courtroom when he was brought up to be arraigned, and three times afterwards. I shall never see him again.” I thought so when I wrote these words, but it has hap- pened otherwise, and my duties led me to be present at the execution of the sentence. I got to the jail at 7 o'clock. There was no one there then except the Rev. Mr. Simp- son, who had at that moment arrived. Millman slept very little last night; he was hardly off his knees, being sometimes in prayer and then in meditation. He was quite ready to receive the spiritual minis- trations of his clergyman, and immediately preparations were made to celebrate the Holy Communion. A temporary altar had been prepared, and very solemn the service was. In the somewhat dim light of the cell the tapers on the altar shone out clear- ly against the dusky wall before which it stood. Millman’s attitude was most rever- ent and devout. He repeated the respon- ses in a low but clear and distinct voice. One remark which he made to me before the service commenced shows somewhat of the spirit in which he entered upon it. ‘‘There is One coming,” he said to mein a low voice; ‘‘for the locks and the iron bars can not keep the Lord Jesus from my poor cell.” The office was-a special one. The Epistle was from Heb. xii. 5—7., the Gospel from St. John v. 24. The following was the Collect:

“0, Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of just men made perfect, after th:y are delivered from their earthly prisons; we humbly commend the soul of this thy servant our dear brother, into Thy hands, as into the hands of a faithful Creator and Most Merciful Saviour ; most humbly beseeching Thee that it may be precious in Thy sight. ‘Wash it, we pray Thee in the blood of that Immaculate Lamb, That was Slain to take away the sins of the world: that whatsoever defilements it may have contracted in the midst of this miserable and naughty world through the lusts of the flesh or {the wiles of Satan, being purged and done away, it may be presented pure and without spot before Thee. And teach us who survive, in this and other like daily spectacles of mortality, to see how frail and uncertain our own condition is, and so to number our days, that we may seriously apply our hearts to that holy and heavenly wisdom, whilst we live here, which may in the end bring us to life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, thine only Son Our Lord. Amen.

There was no one in the cell except Mr. Simpson, Millman and myself; but the little trap door in the cell was open, and those who went backwards and forwards along the passage could catch glimpses of the altar and Mr. Simpson in the vestments of the priesthood as he executed his sacred office. A strange unusual sight it must have seemed; I cannot learn if ever before the Holy Sacrifice was offered in that jail, if so, I am sure It could not have been under circumstances more solomn ; for was not a soul about to enter into the nearer presence of its Lord? After the service a short Office of Thanksgiving was said, and I then withdrew, leaving priest and penit- ent alone. When I went in again they were at prayer, and I recognized that they were saying the ‘“‘ Litany for the Dying,” for I heard the words,—

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon him.

From the gates of hell

Deliver his soul.

Let him depart in peace,

In the name of the Lord.

O most loving Jesus, who came into this world to save sinners, deal mercifully with

this thy servant. Let not the prince of dark- nrss prevail against him, but with Thy hand bring him into the place of rest and peace with saints and angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect. Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end.

These prayers are, of course, familiar to many, but for those who are not accuston- gd to the ministrations of Anglican priests, i quote some of them. Millman then asked to see the jailors, He thanked Mr = Harvie and Mr. McNeill for their kindness’

‘and gave to each of them a letter, The

Queen’s County, to wit.

chain had not been removed from his leg, and the Sheriff and his officials now entered to perform that duty. It seemed to me that a great many persons were required to doa very small matter. There were the Sheriff, J. Fraser, ex-Marshall Flynn, Harris and Wakeland. After the chain was removed he said ‘ good-bye’ to us all. His hands were then handcuffed behind his back, the Sheriff covering them with a silk handkerchief. This seemed to me a piece of thoughtful delicacy on the part of the Sheriff. Mr. Curtis then produced a handkerchief to bandage his eyes. I stood where I could see Millman’s face before the covering was puton. He glanced out of the window— his cell looks towards the east—and the sun shone on his face. throwing into strong re- lief the bars of the window. But he seem- ed not to see them, nor the houses beyond, nor yet the blue sky beyond them. There was a far-away look on his face like to that which seems to rost upon the face of the dead. Perhaps it only may have been the earnest gazing of a man who looks out upon the world for the last time. He then stooped down so they might bandage his eyes. Mr. Curtis put the band- age on, but the executioner tied it behind. Who this individual is I do not know. I suppose we never shall know. His disguise was complete. He wore a long mackintosh which reached nearly to the ground, a broad-brimmed felt hat pulled well down, and what of his face could be seen was coloreda deep red. I noticed that his boots were well made, and that the small portion of the legs of his trousers which showed beneath the mackin- tosh was of fine cloth and superior make. It was not possible to recognize him ; it is not desirable, even if it were so. Some- body must be got to perform duties such as this, revolting as they are, and this man did his work skillfully and without bung- ling.

Everything being in readiness, the pro- cession started for the gallows. I watched Millman closely, It seemed-to me wonder- ful how calmly and how bravely aman in full health and strength could die. There was no symptom of fear, or even of agita- tion, not a quiver of his lips; they moved only to repeat the responses. The Rev. Mr. Simpson was now vested in surplice and black stole, wearing on his head the priest’s cap or biretta. He led the way; then came Millman, with Harris and Wakeland on either side of him, guiding him, for he could not see ; not supporting him, for he seemed to need no support.

The Sheriff came next and then the executioner. They went very slowly, and, I suppose, by accident, they fell into’ step, and the tramp, tramp, could be heard even outside in,the jail yard. All those who were in the corridor uncovered their heads, and there was a deep silence, broken only by the priest’s voice :—

“Receive, O. Lord, thy servant into-the place of salvation which he hopes to obtain from thy mercy.”

And Millman answered ‘‘ Amen.” “Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant from all the perils of hell, and from the bonds of the penalty of sin and from all tribulation. Amen. i

‘* Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliverest the Three Children from the fiery furnace. Amen, ~-

“* And as Thou didst deliver» thy martyrs

from their most bitter pains, so vouchsafe to deliver the soul of this Thy servant and to make it rejoice with thee in heaven. Amen. Upon the scaffold he was’ placed on the trap door, Mr. Simpson standing on his right hand and the Sheriff on his left, the executioner standing behind. His legs were strapped together with a leather belt. Mr. Curtis read the death warrant. ~ He commenced in a loud voice, but it is no.im- putation upon his manhood when I say that it soon sank into a whisper, and ended in a sob. And now everything was ready, ‘and there was only left time for the last com- mendation of the soul; and Mr. Simpson, placing his hand upon him, in a clear voice, slowly and distinctly said :

‘*Go forth, Christian soul, from ‘this world. Go, in the Name of God, the Omnipotent Father, Who created thee ; of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Who suffered for thee ; of the Holy Ghost, Who is poured upon thee ; in the name of Angels and Archangels ; in the name of Thrones and Dominations ; in the name of-the Prin- cipalities and Powers; in the name of the Cherubium and Seraphim ; in the name of the Patriarchs and Prophets; in the name of the Holy Apostles and Evangelists ; in the name of all the Saints of God, go forth, and may thy place to-day be in peace, and thy dwelling in Sion, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

‘* Christ who hath,” the lever was drawn, instantly. Millman fell, and still the priest went on, ‘‘called thee, receive thee, and bid His angels receive the into Abraham’s bosom.

Eternal rest grant unte him, G Lord, And let light perpetual shine upon him, From the gates of hell : Deliver his soul, 9 Lord, May he rest in peace. Amen.” We commend to Thee O Lord the-soul of Thy servant that dead unto the world it may live unto Thee, and whatsoever sing it hath committed through the weakness of the flesh in this mortal life, wash. away by the pardon of thy merciful love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” I cannot describe the bady when it fell and as it bung. Idid not seeit, 1 could not look at it and I turned away and went into his cell—the cell he had just left, and sat down on the same seat where he had rested the last eight weary months. Un- bidden there came to my mind the words of Mr. Hodgson’s speech, when he described what would take place if a verdict of guilty was returned. I need not repeat these words. Those who heard them will not forget them, but they came home to mo then, and I doubt not to many more beside me, with a new and a terrible power.

I cannot tell how long he hung there. [ neither saw the inquest nor heard what

they said or did, but I sat in the empty . cell. The dead boy’s books were around me—his Bible,

giving evidence of much reading, his book of private prayers, differentleaves, soiled at different. places with fmuch handling, and ar inscription in his own writing giving it to his brother, with an earnest prayer that he would use it well. I do not know how lung the legal proceedings occupied, or who came in and out of the cell, for I could not take my mind off the boy, and how hope-

fully and how bravely he went out to die.

But I was recalled to myself by a sum- mons from Mr, Simpson to take my place

‘the deceased girl.

by the coffin and make the responses as_he said the Office for the Dead. For they had put him in a coffin—a plain one covered with purple cloth, and on the plate only the name ‘‘ William Millman,” and under- neath, only the words ‘*Jesu~ Mercy.”

At nine o’clock we left the jail, exactly two hours after we entered it—a short time, as a part of a day, but how wonderfully momentous for that boy,—then a chained prisoner, now, his soul—well of this-we are sure, wherever it is, it is in God’s safe- keeping. :

The funeral took place in the People’s Cemetery at ten o'clock. This burying- ground not being consecrated the grave was first blessed as is usual in such a case, and the body of poor Millman was committed to the grave, there to remain until that day of which no man knoweth.

MILLMAN’S PETITION.

Millman’s petition to His Excellency the Governor-General was accompanied by a memorandum signed by eleven of the jury who found him guilty, in which, for certain reasons, they urged that their recommen- dation for mercy be carried into effect. It was also accompanied by papers signed by Mr. Hodgson and prominent men of this city :

To His Excellency the Governor-General of Canada :

The petition of William Millman, a prisoner in Queen’s County Jail, in the City of Charlottetown, in the Province of Prince Edward Island, humbly sheweth:

1. That 1 was indicted at the last Hilary Term of the Supreme Court of the Province of Prince Edward Island, for the murder of Mary Pickering Tuplin, andjupon my trial I was convicted and am now under sentence of death.

2. That my trial was commenced on Tues- day, the 24th day of January, and continued until Saturday the 4th day of February, upon which day the jury returned a verdict of guilty with a recommendation to mercy.

3., That I was born on the 2nd day of June, A.D. 1868, and am now in the twentieth year of my age. I was born ina country dis- trict called Irish Town, which is situate in Queen’s County, and over thirty-five miles from the city of Charlottetown—the County town—and previous to my commital to Queen’s County Jail, I was in that city but once, as hereinafter mentioned.

4. I do- most’ éarnestly declare that, not- withstanding the circumstancese pointing against ine, I am not guilty of the crime for which I have been convicted.

5. That I met the deceased girl for the first time in my life at a party at her sister’s, (for which an admission fee of 25 cents was charged) on the 3lst of December, 1886. I called at her father’s house a few days afterwards and saw her, and from that time I did not again see her until the evening of Sunday, the 26th of June, 1887, when I saw her for a short time on the road side; in the presence of other per- sons, below her father’s house, and this was the third and last time I ever met her.

6. That I was not a visitor at her father’s house, and, except the visit I made there in January, I never was there.

_7. One witness against me, a man named James Somers, swore that he saw me on the side of a road where the murder was supposed to have taken place, and about a mile there- from, that. previously to that time he had never before seen mc, that the person. whom he saw was sitting down ina ¢luster of “bushes, with his hat over part of his face, and fern leaves around his neck-and before his tace, °yet. ‘this witness swore on the trial that I was the man he saw, and the reason he gave was because he saw me under arrest some weeks ‘after- wards andsthen identified. me.

8. This man Somers is married toa sister of He was not examined at the preliminary examination although he ad- mitted:being present; and his evidence when given before the Court, was the first intima- tion I or my counsel had of what he was likely to swear to. 1 say that if Somers saw a man on the roadside on the evening of the murder it was not me, for I was not there.

9. That I am wholly unacquainted with Somers, and never spoke to him in my life.

10. That I most solemnly state that Somers was mistaken in identifying: me asthe man he saw.

1l. That the evidence of Somers was strong- ly relied on by the Crown law officers in press- ing for a conviction against me.

12. That I submit most respectfully to Your Excellency that it would be impossible for Somers to identify a man in the dusk of the evening under the circumstances, and situated as Somers states. :

13. A little girl named Dorothy Ann Adams, aged about ten or eleven years. of age, stated that on the evening of the 28th of June she saw a man land betow her father’s shore from a boat and walk up towards the Mud Koad; that she was distant from him seventy yards, and that she told her mother that she thought it was me.

14, This little girl fixed the time at which she saw the man at about twenty minutes past six in the evening.

15. The child in making the statement that she saw me was in error.

16. I do most positively state that after my father and mother left their home on the 28th of June to attend a church meeting I was then home. They did not leave home until seven o’clock, and I was then home. During their absence I went to bathe. On my return I sat by the roadside, and went into the house and was there when my parents returned home. :

17. That with regard to the conversation had with Patrick Power, and which took place after the warrant for my arrest was is- sued. In asking him to state that he had been with me that evening I did wrong, but I was led to do so in this way: Power in~ con- versation said he had been with me on Tues- day evening. As a matter of fact he was in error. As I saw suspicion pointing towards me suspicions founded on facts, some of which were perfectly true, hut perfectly consistent with my innocence, when I heard that a war- rant had been taken out against me for mur- der, and knowing that I was liable to be ar- rested atany moment, and knowing nothing of law proceedings except that they were under all circumstances to bs dreaded. I thought to get Power to state that which he at one time believed to be true, although I knew otherwise, namely, that he was with me Tuesday evening. I waswrongin this. I was young and inexperienced. I was terrified at the position I was placed in. I knew I was innocent, and hardly knowing what 1 did, 1 asked Power to stand by what he had said to me, but I did not ask him t» do it for the pur- pose of shielding me from the consequences of a crime.

18. That the first time I ever was in Char- lottetown was on the 4th day af July, 1887, on which day I came in company with my brother-in-law to consult Mr. Sakae, and to ask him to bring an action against those who charged me with being in any way con nected with the disappearance of the girl. Her body was not then found, and her murder was not then known to me. :

19, That I returned home from Charlotte- town thesame day, and on my road home I

heard that the girl’s body had been found under circumstances which shewed that she

had been murdered. I went home and re- ‘mained home until the following morning,

~

when I was arrested under the warrant which had been outstanding against me. J had every ‘opportunity of escaping and evading arrest had I desired, but being confident of my innocence I made no attempt to do so.

20. That early in the month of May, 1887, I borrowed a pistol from one Francis Power, and when I returned it there were two empty chambers. The Crown proved this as evidence against me, but thefact is,as shown by the evidence of Johnson Mann, a witness examin- ed-on behalf of “the Crown, that these two chambers were emptied and the shots fired previous to the night of the murder.

21. That the —— of the Crown law

officers was that the girl was murdered in the boat, and in support of this it was proved that on the margin of the river and leading to the place where the boat should be moored there were two foot prints. One was un- questionably made by the girl, the other was evidently made by her murderer. While it was clearly proved that one of the foot prints was made by the girl, it was equally clear that the other track was not made by me, it is borne out by the evidence and it is the fact for the track was not made by me. I was not there on the night of the murder and could not have made it, and did not make it. That I most humbly entreat the grace and favor of the Crown. I am_ innocent of the crime laid to my chargeand I therefore im- plore that I may be spared from the terrible death to which I now stand condemned.

(Signed) Witrtram MILLMAN. THE DEAD MAN’S DYING DECLARATION.

We are in receipt of the following letter and enclosure from His Worship the Mayor:

To the Editor of The Examiner :— ALMA COTTAGE,

Tuesday Morning, 10th April, 1888.

Sir,—At the request of William Millman, who was executed this morning in Charlotte- town jail, I visited him in his lonely cell yesterday afternoon, when he handed to me a sealed envelope, the contents of which he solemnly declared were all true and were written and signed by himself. He gave it into my custody, he said, because | was un- interested. If he placed it in charge of either the Rev. Mr. Simpson or Mr. Hodgson, unkind people would say that they made it allup. After Iam gone, he said, you may open the envelope and publish its contents if you like.

In accordance with the deceased boy’s per- mission, I transmit youa copy of his written statement for publication in your journal.

T. Heats HaviLanp.

* CHARLOTTETOWN, April 7th, 1888.

I may not be able to say anything at the last hour of my life, and I say now what I would if I was able. ~

At my trial there was false swearing and false evidence against me, and because of this I was found guilty and they took my life. It was hard at first to forgive them, but 1 do forgive them ; God knows I do, and I pray for them. <

When I tried to escape I did not mean to hurt Mr. Harvie ; it was only to escape I did whet 1 done. I was very sorry for it after- wards and asked his forgiveness, and was sorry ever since.

I have no fear of dying; but I don’t say this boasting.

One thing I want to say, I had the best father and mother a boy ever had.

Ithank Mr. Hodgson very much for all his kindness and goodness to me. I thank all those who were so kind tome. I thank Mr. Simpson, ah, so much, I can’t tell what I owe him. God reward him for it all some day.

One of those days all will be known. Oh, my: God, I do look forward to that day.

Now there is left me to die. O Lord Jesus Christ to Thee I cling in the hour of death and in the day of Judgement, Dear Saviour deliver me.

WILLIAM MILLMAN.

HISTORY OF ‘THE CRIME.

In the latter part of June last, Mary, daughter of Mr. John Tuplin, of Margate, suddenly disappeared. She left her home about nine o'clock. on a Tuesday. evening, and did not return during that night nor on the following day. On Thursday, search parties were organized, and the neighbor ing woods were scoured, but not a trace of che missing girl could befound. On Friday Eel Creek, a branch of the Southwest River, which flows’ a short “distance below the Tuplin homestead, was dragged but without success. On Saturday the search was renewed. One of the searchers, while resting on the bank, found thereon a white cotton handkerchief, with the letter ‘* M” worked in the corner. This handkerchief Mrs. Tuplin identified asthe property of her missing daughter. This strengthened the suspicion of the searchers that the body of the young girl was not far away—proba- bly in the creek. They set about their work with renewed energy, even working all day on Sunday. On Monday the search was resumed. That afternoon the body was found in the creek, in about four and a half feet of water, in the neighborhood, it is said, of a large hole or quicksand. Around the waist of the unfortunate girl was arope rein, attached to which, at a distance of about a foot from the body, was astone weighing some eighty or ninety pounds.

THE BQDY WAS PARTIALLY DECOMPOSED

and much swollen. There were no marks of violence: about the body; but on the head, back of the ear, the skin and flesh were lacerated. In this lacerated place, indenting the bone slightly, a revolver bullet was found, flattened out into the shape of a button. About two inches above this spot, and back of the ear, there was a bullet hole about two inches above and be- hind the ear. Some time after the finding of the body an inquest was held by Coroner McKay, of Clifton. The girl’s parents and several other witnesses were examined. After the examination of the witnesses a post mortem was made. The examiners found a bullet. hole in the rear of the ear, and a bullet embedded in the substance of the brain, on the side opposite the hole. The stomach was empty, and there was nothing to indicate that the girl was alive when placed in the water. The verdict of the jury was in substance that Mary Tuplin came to her death from the effects of a bullet wound in her head, received at the hands of some unknown person or persons.

THE PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. After Mary Tuplin’s disappearance it was alleged that William Millman could throw some light on the subject if he were so dis- posed. These stories goming to Millman’s ears annoyed him considerably, and on the

came to this city and consulted Mr. E. J, Hodgson, with a view to taking legal pro- ceedings against those who were circulating the reports. On his return home, after the finding of the body, he was arrested for the

murder. Thomas Bryenton, an employe

: of Millman’s uncle, was also arrested as an

»

Monday on which the body was found he’

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A eee —s re two J. P’s., as a result ¢ he ge was committed for trial in the Supreme Court and Bryenton was re- leased.» The accused was then removed to Queen’s County jail, where he ones until January last, when he was arraigne for trial in the Supreme Court. THE TRIAL.

rial began on the morning of the Sin Sauuace at was concluded on the afternoon of the 4th February. Mr. Jus- tice Hensley presided, and the jury was composed of Alexander McKenzie, aa lottetown, Foreman; Wallace Rodd, rack- ley Point; Augustine McInnis, Gallas Point; Neil S. McKenzie, Long Creek; Thomas Smith, Charlottetown! Royalty; Thomas Berrigan, do.; Wellington Young, Gallas Point; Thomas Essory, Charlotte- téwn; Donald McKay, Campbelton, New London; James Farquharson, Lot 48; John Frizzle, Cernwall; John Judson Cherry Valley. The Crown was represented by Attorney-General Sullivan, Mr. F. Peters and Mr. Chester B. McNeill. Mr. E, J. Hodgon, Q. C., and Mr. J. E. Wyait de- fended the prisoner. Sixty-five wit- nesses were examined, fifty-three for the prosecution and twelve for the defence. Mr. Peters opened the case for the prosecution in an address which oc- cupied about an hour in its delivery; and Attorney-General Sullivan closed, occupy- ing upwards of four hours. Mr. Hodgson’s opening remarks for the defence were also brief ; his closing address extended over a period of about five hours. Judge Hens- ley’s charge occupied the time between eleven o’clock and four. The Courtroom was thronged with spectators during the proceedings.

accomplice.

THE VERDICT.

At the conclusion of the Judge’s charge, the jury retired to decide upon their ver- dict. About seven o’clock in the evening the Foreman sent down word that they had agreed upon a verdict. Judge Hensley and the Counsel for the prosecution and defence were at notified of this fact, and in a short time arrived on the scene. In the mean- time the prisoner had been brought up from jail and placed in the dock, and a large number cf spectators had assembled in the courtroom, The jury came down from their room shortly before eight o’clock, and the Foreman handed the Clerk of the Crown their verdict of ‘* Guilty, with a re- commendation to mercy.” As soon as the prisoner, who had been remarkably cool and self-possessed during the trial, heard the verdict, he swooned in the dock, whence he had to be carried tothe sleigh awaiting him oatside, and in which he was conveyed back to jail.

: THE SENTENCE.

On the forenoon of Thursday, February 9th, Millman.was arraigned to receive the sentence of the Court. Chief-J ustice Palmer, before pronouncing sentence, ad- dressed the prisoner, dwelling upon the terrible enormity of the crime of which he had been found guilty; and advising him to devote the residue of his life to endeavor- ing to make atonement for the crime he had committed. He then sentenced him to be hanged by the neck until dead on Tuesday, the 10th April, between the hours of eight o’clock in the forenoon and four o’clock in the afterncon. The prisoner took the sentence calmly, and was after- wards moved bagk to jail, :

HIS BEHAVIOR IN JAIL,

After his sentence Millman was not con- fined in the condemned cell, but in the room which he occupied previous to con- demnation. Here he was cxceptionally well treated. He was not chained, his room was large and comfortable, and his friends were allowed to send him in all the delicacies they liked. This was the state of affairs up to Wednesday, the 22nd of March last, on the afternoon of which day he learned of the failure of his Counsel’s efforts to have his sentence commuted. This news made him desperate, and when Mr. Harvie brought him in a basket of | provisions which a friend had forwarded, he struck him in the. head with a bottle which he held in his hand and stunned him. After thus stunning the jailor, he endeavored to lock him in the cell, but failed todo so as the stun was but mo- mentar.» Mr. Harvie speedily recovered aud grappled with him. In the struggle which ensued Millman escaped to the yard, where he was recaptured and taken back to Jail. Next morning he was taken to the condemned cell, where he was heavily iron- ed, and where it was intended he should remain until the sentence of the court had been carried ont,

Notes.

The Gallows was a box-like structure erected in the jail yard, opposite the western entrance. It was about sixteen feet high, and the platform, which was some ten feet from the ground, was capable of affording standing room for about eighteen or twenty persons. The top of the gallows proper was some seveu,feet above the level of the platform. Between the two posts was the trap or hatchway, upon which the doomed man was to stand. This trap opened in the centre, and was kept closed by means of a thick wooden bar underneath. This bar could be displaced by pressing upon a lever fixed to the side of one of the posts, and which was manipulated by the hangman from the platform. The rope “was inch manilla, and passed through patent sheaths. _ The hangman appeared to be no novice in the business. His behaviour throughout was coolness personified. He was an entire stranger to those present. He crossed “at the Capes on Friday, and arriyed in the city the same afternoon, taking a room at one of the hotels and registering as ‘' P. Henderson, Halifax.” He looked about 40 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches in heizht, and wasof slight build. He wore a slouched hat pulled over his eyes, a greenish-colured mackintosh, which came down almost to hig heels, black pants, and fine, patent leather boots. Fom the glimpses one could obtain by looking under hisslouched hat his face, which was apparently colored red for the occasion, was very much pock-marked and he wore a reddish-brown moustache with small side-whiskers.