Transcription
Execution. Account of the Execution of FRANCIS CAIN & GEORGE LAIDLAW, for two different crimes, and who suffered at Glasgow, on Wednesday the 29th'October, 1823, with their Behaviour since their condemnation and at the Scaffold. Glasgow, Oct. 29th, 1823.?This day, the two above named young men underwent the awful sentence passed upon them at last Circuit, for the following crimes : FRANCIS CAIN, for assaulting and robbing Jamas Maxwell, coppersmith, of a gold watch with a gold chain and two gold seals, a purse containing eight pounds, some silver, and his hat, on the 9th July last. The evidence adduced stated that he did attack James Maxwell at Shawfield Tell, near Lift's Govan, and did knock him down with some unlawful weapon, and did rob him of the articles already mentioned. GEORGE LAIDLAW, for breaking into the shop of Messrs. Solomon and Had- kins, jewellers, Nelson Street, Glasgow, on the 30th March, 1823, by means of false keys, and stealing therefrom a number of gold and silver articles. The evidence completely proved the guilt of the prisoner. These two men have, since they received their sentence, conducted themselves in a most exemplary manner, and aided by the exertions of several of the Ministers of the city, were brought to a deep sense of the sinfulness of their past lives, and hoped for forgiveness from man as well, as pardon from God. They were supported in their solitary cell by the aid of prayer, the songs of praise, and the conversation of pious men ; these religious exercises soothed their minds, dispelled their fears, animated their hopes, and raised their affections above this passing scene to that happier state of being, which they (guilty and sinful as they had lived) hoped, through the merits of their Saviour, yet to enjoy. Cain, though of a carelesser disposition than Laidlaw, has been nearly as assiduous in the work given him to do ; he had still a glimmering hope of mercy till the time his companion received a respite, when the fond delusion fled, and he became perfectly resigned to his fate. Laidlaw has all along been deeply impressed with the awful state in which he was placed; she hope of mercy never for a moment retarded him in his preparations for the vast unknown into which he was So soon to enter, and the few weeks allotted him were spent in endeavouring to make " his calling and election sure." The night previous to their execution they slept but little, and' spent the most of it in reading, and hearing others do the same; prayers and praises were also offered in their behalf, and from the dawn of morning to the time that they appeared at the awful brink of eternity, every thing that man could do was exercised for their sup- port, consolation, and future prospects. After taking a long farewell of some of their fellow prisoners, they proceeded to the Hall, and after the asual religious services were gone through namely, reading, prayer and praise, the Magistrates ordered the Hall to be cleared, and the prisoners in a short time followed, and walked to the last scene of suffering in a very composed manner. They spent a few minutes in fer- vent prayer, the signal was thrown, and after a few convulsive struggles their career on earth was finished. They were decently dressed ; the crowd resembled was very great ; a party of the Inniskillen Dragoons and the 73d foot guarded the scaffold . Cain was hired to the cotton spinning business, and is about 17 years of age ; his father and mother, and some sisters, are left to deplore his untimely end His parents are Irish, but have been a long time in this country, and reside in the Gorbals. Laidlaw was by trade a wright, and is about 20 years, of age ; he belongs to Ander- ston, and his parents are still alive. They thanked those who had the care of them for the kind treatment they had received in their temporal concerns, and the Mini- sters for the interest they had taken in their spiritual welfare. The fate of these young men should, (but it too seldom does) operate as a warning to the young ; temptations to evil are numerous, inveiglers many, and thieves in abundance ; they, therefore, cannot be too guarded, neither too well warned, to flee from such company, and to tread those steps, which lead to happiness here and to happiness hereafter. W. Carse, Printer, Glasgow.
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1823 shelfmark: L.C.Fol.73(065)
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