Transcription
An Account of the Trial, Sentence, and Execution of DANIEL GRIMSHIRE, which took place at Reading, in Berkshire, on Thursday, 4th March, 1824, for the Cruel and Inhuman Murder of his own Child, by pouring Boiling Hot Water down its Throat, and whose Body was given for Dissection. THIS wretch in the shape of human nature, was arraiged at the last Reading Assizes, on Tuesday March second, for the wilful Murder of his own infant child, by pouring boiling hot water down its throat. He pleaded Not Guilty, and said by his Maker he was innocent; but the evidence was so strong and decisive against him, that the Jury brought him in guilty of the Murder. The judge im- mediately passed sentence of Death on him, and ordered him for Execution on Thursday the 4th. On returning to prison after his condemnation, he persisted inve- hemently declaring his innocence, and said that the jury in bring- ing him in guilty, had committed Murder. The Chaplain visited him immediately after, but from the agitated state of his mind, he could prod uce little effect upon him by his exhortation. The next morning at an early hour, he visited him again, and after some se- rious conversation, the prisoner made a full confession of his guilt, with all the eorrid circumstances attending its perpetration; from which it appears he had harboured the shocking thought of murder- ing his own child for several weeks, in which period he had thrice attempted to carry it into execution, but his resolution had as often failed him. He said on the evening this horrid and appaling crime was commited, he sent his wife for a sixpenny loaf of bread, pre- tending he could not eat that which was in the house, saying he would keep the child till she came back again. As soon as she was goue he laid the child into the cradle upon its back, and took the kettle from the fire, which was boiling, and holding its mouth open with his finger and thumb coldly and deliberately poured the hot water into the child's mouth, which killed it in the course of the night. It appears this unfortunate being had formerly been a Shepherd, of which life he was particularly fond. And it seems, the motive for committing this diabolical act, was a desire of returning to the employment of a Shephered. The child was an impediment, he considered, in the way of getting a seperation from his wife, with whom he had lately had many quarrels, on account of the irregular life which he led. He seldom worked above three days in the week, and drank the rest; leaving her to fend for the child and herself as she could. The night before his execution, he asked the person who was to sleep with him that night, " What he thought of dying on a gal- \?\ows?", Who told him " he thought it a shocking and disgraceful death." To which Grimshire answered, " he could not tell; but he thought, had he secaped at present, he would have returned to the hills, his conscience might have troubled him, for murdering his child, and in all probability, he would have hung himself upon a tree, for his part he could not see much difference there could be." He then fell asleep, and slept sound till 6 o'Clock in the morning. About an hour after the chaplain came, and prayed with him. He paid respectful attention to what was said, but the exhor- tation seemed to make little impression on him. At eleven o'clock his irons were knocked off, and his arms pin- ioned, and while they were doing so, he asked very unconsernedly, " what time of day it was." When he was led out he said, " it was a very fine day for the time of the year." He ascended the scaffold with a firm and resolute step, he then looked round and addressed the people in a few words. He cautioned them to beware of Drunk- enness, and the love of company, observing that it was those which brought him into the situation they now saw him in; and above all things to attend a place of worship, and as that would harmonize their minds, and bring them to a true sense of domestic happiness. The cap was drawn over his face; the drop fell; he struggled twice, and his earthly career was ended for ever. Price One Penny.
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Date of publication:
1824 shelfmark: F.3.a.14(27b)
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