The last time a convicted man was hanged in public

John Mitchell’s last moments were recorded by The Spectator on June 9, 1859

On June 9, 1859, John Mitchell was hanged in a public ceremony in Hamilton.

Mitchell reportedly said, “I ask pardon of Jesus Christ for the sins of my past life,” and turned his eyes toward the thousands of spectators gathered to watch the spectacle.

Mitchell had been convicted of killing his girlfriend, Eliza Welsh, after he fell into a rage. The gallows was built and painted black for the occasion.

Here is The Spectator’s account: “For the first time within a period of 20 years, the spectacle of a public execution was witnessed in this city today. John Mitchell, convicted of the murder of Eliza Welsh, at the last assizes of the County of Wentworth, underwent the dread penalty of death on the scaffold this morning, in presence of a large concourse of people.

“At precisely seven o’clock the mournful procession of twenty moved from the gaol to the scaffold. The condemned criminal walked with a firm step and bold carriage.

“When placed on the drop, the very Rev. E. Gordon, V.G. said: “Do you acknowledge the justice of your sentence?” With some hesitation he answered, “I do; and I ask pardon of Jesus Christ for the sins of my past life.”

“The Very Rev. Father and Father Cayan then knelt and engaged in prayer. Whilst this was being read, the executioner stepped forward and adjusted the rope around the neck of (Mitchell). The nervous twitching of the lips and muscular motion of the face, showed the amount of trepidation of the last awful moments of the dying man. Turning his eyes towards the sea of upturned faces which were gazing at him, he knelt on the fatal drop. All was now ready, and while the clergymen were praying, the Sheriff gave the signal.

“The dead bolt was shot and the fatal drop fell at ten minutes past 7 o’clock. The neck was broken by the fall and in a very few moments all was over.

“Fifteen minutes after the gaol physician having pronounced him dead, the body was cut down and prepared for interment.”

After the execution, public opinion shifted about making hangings a public spectacle.

However, capital punishment behind closed doors, by invitation only, continued in Hamilton until 1953.