Transcription
An account of the Execution of that Horrid Villain JOHN THOMAS, Who was. Hanged in front of York prison, on Tuesday the 16th of January 1822, for the inhuman, murder of Margaret Thomson, a far- mer's, wife, and of Mary Harris, a girl of eleven years of age:?Also, his Dying Speech at the place of execution. ON Tuesday the 16th of January, 1822, John Thomas was executed at Whitehaven, for repeated acts of cruelty and murder. The crimes for which this depraved wretch suffered were attended with circumstances of uncommon barbarity; and, had they not been acknowledged by himself, when on the brink of eternity, it would not be credited that a man so devoid of feeling, so totally savage in his. mind, could be found in a civilized country. The murders for which he was tried and condemned, were well known to the public some time ago; and which coupled with the discoveries he made after his condemnation, had a powerful effect in exciting a general; curoisity to see the perpetrator of so many at- rocious and most inhuman offences?of course, the number of spectators assembled at the place of execution, was greatly beyond what has been observed on an ordinary occasion. Although this wretched man must have been extremely hardened while leading his career of unexampled wickedness, he at last, through the unwearied endeavours of several pious and worthy gentlemen who attended him after his condemnation, became sensible of the magni- tude of his iniquities, declared his sorrow for the crimes be had committed, expressed hopes of forgiveness from Almighty God, and died very penitently. One of the murders for.which he was exe- cuted was that of Margaret Thomson, an old woman, and the wife of a respectable farmer. Thomas, entered the house when the unfortun- ate woman was alone; and she being then en- gaged in some domestic concern, with her back towards the door (which had been open for some time previous) did not immediately perceive him. Of this circumstance the villain took a fatal advantage; he came softly behind the poor woman, and knocked her down by a blow on the head from a bill-hook, after which he dispatched her by repeated blows, giving her several dreadful wounds. As. soon as he perceived she was dead, he searched her pock. ets, took out her keys, and went up stairs, where he unlocked a chest of drawers, took out a suit of her husband's clothes, in which he deliber- ately dressed himself, leaving his own, covered with the blood of the murdered woman, in their place and then quietly walked away! After this bloody transaction, he proceeded towards Dodsbrooke. In the evening he met a girl, about eleven years of age, on the road. He inquired if she could shew him the way to the next village, and, at the same time pro- mised ber a penny if she would accompany him, as he was afraid he would miss the proper road, day-light being nearly withdrawn The unsuspecting child, whose name was Mary Harris, and who belonged to one of the villages, complied with the monster's request, and went with him toward next village. They had not proceeeded [ ] on the road, when he suddenly se[ ]celess guide,, and dragged her int[ ]ng enclosure, where he attempted [ ]; her erson; but, owing to the resistan[ ]made, he did not accomplish his purpose. Finding himself disappointed in the first part of his designs, he immediately proceed to the perpetration of the second, and which, perhaps, for disgracefulness and blood thirsty cruelty, was never exceeded by the- most pro- fligate villain. He searched about till he procured a heavy stick, with which he returned to his already ex- hausted victim and literally beat out her brainst! It being now quite dark, he acknowledged that, he ascertained the fact of having beat her head in pieces by feeling it over with his hand. He then proceeded to strip the body, which he disengaged of every article of clothing, tak- ing off the very shirt, and tied all up in his handkerchief He proceeded to a neighbour- ing pool of water to wash himself, and disco-. vering that the unfortunate girl's shirt was greatly stained with blood, he threw it into a hedge, and left it behind him. he was soon after apprehended; a reward of two hundred guineas being offered for his apprehension, when he confessed the above, and several other shocking murders. His Dying Speech at the Place of Execution. Good people, you are come to see my shame- ful and untimely end, which, I confess, has de- servedly fallen upon me, as the just judgment, of the righteous of all the earth for the deepest crimes; I beseech you to take warning by my fall; beware of the subtile ways of the enemy of our souls, going always about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. In my in- fant years, not regarding God's holy words, but wilfully breaking the Sabbath, I delighted more to be at the alehouse with bad company, than at the church. I becoming totally de- praved, I committed the horrid murders for which my heart now bleeds within me. I ear-nestly nestly entreat all young persons to avoid Sab- bath-breaking, drunkenness, and disobedience to their parents, and to beware of lustful desires and the company of lewd women, who will betray them to ruin. Printed by John Muir.
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1822 shelfmark: L.C.Fol.73(025)
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