Transcription
Execution Of James Anderson and David Glen, who suffered at Ayr, oh Friday the 12th of December 1823 for the Murder of Mr John M'Clure, while re- turning from Ochiltree Sacrament to Ayr, with an account of their Behaviour in confinement and the prayer which they put up on the Scaffold. Ayr, December 12th, 1826.?This day, the men mentioned above, underwent the ignominious punishment attached to the crime of murder, which they committed "on the body of Mr John M'Clure, on Sunday the 6th of July last. In the course of the afternoon, the prisoners entered the Holmston toll-house, without-paying for the drink, and carrying away with them several articles belonging to the landlady. This led to more disgraceful proceedings; some respectable men "and women they abused in the most opprobrious language, but. being in a car, they increased the speed of the horse and made their escape. A number of witnesses proved that the prisoners met M'Clure, and struck and abus- ed him in such a brutal and violent manner, that death ensued in a short time there- after. The deceased was a quite inoffensive man, and an elder of the church. During their confinement, which was partly in Edinburgh, arid for the last. 3 weeks here, where they arrived on the 17th Nov. under a proper escort, they behaved in a manner which became men on the brink of an eternal world. They were assisted in their devotional exercises by several of the Ministers of Ayr, who paid every attention to their spiritual welfare. They expressed deep contrition for the crime which they were to suffer for, and entertained the hope that their numerous sins would be forgiven through the Merits of their blessed Saviour, who died for guilty sinners, of whom they were chief. A little before three o'clock, the two unfortunate men appeared on the scaffold, and appeared quite firm and compored ; they were decently dressed. After spending some time in conversation with the Ministers and those friends who came to accompany them to the last scene of suffering, they ascended the last fatal drop, and after joining in the following prayer, which they had previously compoted, they were ushered into an eternal world:? " O thou Saviour of men, look down upon us at this awful moment with that com- passionate regard which adorns thy matchless excellence. We confess our numerous and aggravated sins bsfore thee, especially that crime for which we are about to suffer. We deplore the rasa act ; we feel for the family of the deceased ; we feel for our own friends, and the ignominy which may be attached to them on our account. Whilst we acknowledge our guilt, we have only one thing to offer as an alleviation of our crime, that we had no intention ; no deep-rooted hatred; no end in view in our wanton at- tack ; but drink, that enemy of man, which changes the temper, and drives men to the highest pitch of wickedness, was the cause of committing this horrid deed. But both the sin of drinking and the horrid act itself hes open and naked before thee. O God pardon us, support and strengthen us ; may the sting of death be taken away ; may all our past sins be taken away. Now unto thee we commit ourselves ; O Lord hear, O Lord forgive ; into thy hands we commit our spirits." Amen.?After hang- ing for 30 minutes, their bodies were cut down, and sent, off to Edinburgh, under an escort, for dissection. James Anderson was about 23 years of age, and by trade a collier ; Glen was about 25 years of age, and by trade a weaver. They both belonged to Ayr, and were for a Considerable time acquainted together.?The day was very stormy, which prevented the crowd from being so great as formerly. Ayr, printed for the Booksellers.
View Commentary | Download PDF Facsimile
|
|
Date of publication:
1823 shelfmark: L.C.Fol.73(068)
View larger image
|