Transcription
EXECUTION Of that unfortunate young Man, WILLIAM M'INTYRE, belonging to Glasgow, who was Executed at Edinburgh on Wednesday morning the 26th Feb. 1823, for Housebreaking and Theft. Edinburgh, February 26.?This morning, WILLIAM M'lNTYRE was Executed here, pursuant to his sentence, convicted of breaking into the premises of Braehouse, in the Lothian Road, the residence of Miss Ann Butter, and stealing therefrom a quantity of wearing apparel. In his declaration, which was read on his trial, he stated that he was born in Pais- ley, had been a tailor in Glasgow, and came to Edinburgh for employment; that he had been drinking the night previous to his apprehension, and tor want of lodgings went to sleep in a paik, where he was roused by the cry of " Stop Thief," and was taken into custody. We understand that M'Intyre was not his proper name, and that he had never been a tailor but wrought at the calender business in Glasgow, till within these two or three years, when he took up with bad company, and had been several times in Glasgow Bridewell, and had appeared at the bar of the Circuit Court there. The Lord Justice Clerk on proceeding to pass sentence on the unhappy youth, expressed his sorrow that in consequence ot the verdict of a most respectable Jury it it had fallen to his lot to fulfil a melancholy duty. His Lordship said, the crime of housabreaking had become so extremely frequent, as to lead to the supposition that it was not regarded as a capital crime, but the example about to be made would prove the contrary. His Lordship remarked that it was the duty of all to prepare for the great change which awaited them, it was peculiarly so for one whose days were numbered, and earnestly besought him riot to waste. the short time that re- mained to him in this world, but by a thorough, sincere, and heartfelt repentance, endeavour to obtain the forgiveness of Almighty God, through the merits of our bles- sed Saviour. This exhortation, his Lordship said, he gave from the very bottom of his heart, and again entreated him to prepare himself for the great event which sooner or later awaited all mankind. Notwithstanding his efforts to hear his final doom announced with fortitude, he was evidently much distressed, and shed tears from the moment the verdict was re- turned. At about 2O minutes past eight this morning the unfortunate youth proceeded from the Lock-up-house, at the back of the County Hall, to the place of execution at the head of Libberton's Wy'nd, where he was attended by the Rev. Dr. Muir and Mr. Porteons, Chaplain of the Jail. A most earnest prayer having been offered up in his behalf, in which he joined with fervor; be then came forward to the front of the scaffold, and shortly addressed the spectators, exhorting them to avoid bad. company, to attend to the instructions of their parents and guardians, and to be di- ligent in the observance of their religious duties. The exocutioned having adjusted the rope, he gave the signal, when the fatal drop fell, and he died in an instant, almost without a struggle. He was a good looking lad, about 18 years of age. He appeared exceedingly pale, and behaved with great propriety at the fatal spot; and was decently dressed in black. The crowd was not great. John Muir, Printer, Glasgow.
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Date of publication:
1823 shelfmark: L.C.Fol.73(045)
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