Transcription
Execution at Perth. An account of the Execution of HANS REGELSON, a Danish seaman, who was executed in front of the Council-Room, Perth, on Friday the 28th of June, 1811, pursuant to his sentence, for committing a Rape on Margaret Budge, of Burntisland, aged 17.? Also, an account of his Behaviour on the Scaffold. ON Friday Hans Regelson, the danish seaman, aged about twenty-five, who Was capitally condemned, at the last Perth Circuit, for a rape, committed on Margaret Budge, of Burntisland, aged 17, was exe- cuted at Perth, pursuant to his sentence. The fate of this unhappy foreigner ex- cited a very general sympathys and every at- tention was paid him during his confine- ment that could be bestowed on a person in his situation, for which he seemed exceeding grateful. From the report of the Clergymen who attended him, we are happy to hear he was remarkably penitent and resigned. Indeed, he could not but be convinced of the justice of his sentence; for the Court, during his trial supplied him with every lawful advan- tage for his defence that possibly could be en- joyed by a British subject?able counsel was appointed for him, and every exculpatory plea listened to with more than usual anxiety, that the Jury, without a breach of duty, might be enabled to acquit him. On Friday morning he received the sa- crament according to the forms of the Church of England, which are nearly simi- lar to those of the Lutherian Church, of which he was a member. He Came on the platform at the usual hour, apparently firm and resigned, and be- trayed no symptom of fear while the execu- tioner was making the necessary arrange- ments?not seemed to wish to delay his fate; for, whenever the executioner left him, he placed himself in a supplicating attitude, dropped the fatal signal, and was immedi- ately suspended. The sympathy of the spectators for this unfortunate foreigner was very apparent, and they expressed their feelings when he made his exit by a universal ejaculation of pity, in a low and mournful tone of voice. Early in the month of February laft, as a Dragoon was on his return from duty, to his quarters, a small public- house, called. Bran- dean Hut, in the forest, near Petersfield, in Hampshire, (England) his attention was arrested by the Cries of some person in distress, which induced him to ride up to the spot whence they proceeded, where his humanity was shocked on beholding a woman tied to a tree, with the tears, which her situation and sufferings had produced, actually frozen to her cheeks, and, shocking to relate. quite naked, having been Stripped and robbed of every article or her dress,by two villains, who afterwards left her in that deplorable condition. The Dragoon instantly cut the cords that bound her hands and feet to the tree; and having, in some measure, restored to her the use of her limbs, by rubbing them, wrapped her up in his cloak, placed her on his horse, and proceeded to his quarters, where he soon after arrived; and, as he was conducting the shivering object of his care into the house she looked through a window that commanded a view of the kitchen, suddenly shrunk back and in a faint voice exclaimed, " there are the two men that robbed me of my all, and used me so cruelly!" The soldier, in consequence, entered the kitchen, and secured the men, who were the next day taken before a Magi- strate; and, after the necessary examination, committed to Winchester jail, for trial at the next Assizes. The woman, we need hardly say, was taken proper care of; and the Dra- goon, we hope, will be properly rewarded for his exertions in the cause of humanity and justice. Printed by Thomas Duncan 159, Saltmarket,
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1811 shelfmark: 6.314(24)
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