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MY EXPERIENCES AS AN EXECUTIONER.


[Illustration: James Berry]




                                  MY
                              EXPERIENCES
                                 AS AN
                              EXECUTIONER

                                  BY
                              JAMES BERRY

                     _Edited by H. Snowden Ward._

                                LONDON:
                            PERCY LUND & CO
                  MEMORIAL HALL, LUDGATE CIRCUS, E.C.

             COPYRIGHT IN UNITED STATES AND BRITISH ISLES.




                              PRINTED BY

                          [Publisher's mark]

                          PERCY LUND AND CO.,
                               BRADFORD.


             Copyright in United States and British Isles.




CONTENTS.


                                                        PAGE

 INTRODUCTION                                              7


 CHAPTER I.

 THE EXECUTIONER AT HOME                                  11


 CHAPTER II.

 HOW I BECAME AN EXECUTIONER                              16


 CHAPTER III.

 MY FIRST EXECUTION                                       23


 CHAPTER IV.

 MY METHOD OF EXECUTION--CALCULATIONS AND APPARATUS       30


 CHAPTER V.

 MY METHOD OF EXECUTION--THE PROCEEDINGS                  45


 CHAPTER VI.

 OTHER METHODS OF EXECUTION                               50


 CHAPTER VII.

 TWO TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES                                 59


 CHAPTER VIII.

 HOW MURDERERS DIE                                        66


 CHAPTER IX.

 FROM THE MURDERER'S POINT OF VIEW                        95


 CHAPTER X.

 ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT                                   106


 CHAPTER XI.

 HANGING: FROM A BUSINESS POINT OF VIEW                  117


 CHAPTER XII.

 THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC                                124


 CHAPTER XIII.

 INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES                                 132


 APPENDIX.

 THE TROUBLE WITH "ANSWERS" LIMITED                      141




INTRODUCTION.


The intention of both the author and the editor of this little book
has been to set forth, as plainly and as simply as possible, certain
facts and opinions with regard to what is undoubtedly a most important
subject--the carrying out of the ultimate sentence of the law. While
facts have not been in any way shirked or misrepresented, much that
is horrible in detail has been suppressed; so that people who may be
tempted to take up the book in search of ghastly descriptive writing,
are warned at the outset that they will be disappointed.

It is believed that a publication of Mr. Berry's experiences will
correct many errors and misconceptions as to the way in which capital
sentences are carried out in England; and that it will lead to a
consideration of the whole subject, from a practical, rather than from
a sentimental, point of view.

The management, and, if possible, the regeneration of the criminal
classes, is one of the most serious tasks that civilisation has to
face; and those who undertake such a task require all the light that
can possibly be thrown upon the subject. The public executioner has
many and special opportunities of studying the criminal classes, and
of knowing their attitude and feelings with regard to that capital
punishment which civilisation regards as its strongest weapon in the
war against crime. When, as in the case of Mr. Berry, several years'
experience in various police forces can be added to his experience as
an executioner, the man who has had these exceptional opportunities
of studying criminals and crime, must necessarily have gathered much
information and formed opinions that are worthy of attention.

Therefore, this book has a higher aim than the mere recording of the
circumstances and incidents of the most painful business in which a man
can engage. The recording is necessary, for without the facts before
them, readers could not form their own opinions; but it is hoped that
the facts will be read with more than mere curiosity, that the readers
will be led to take a personal interest in the weak and erring brethren
who form the criminal classes, the canker-worm of our social system.

       *       *       *       *       *

An explanation of how this book was written may not be out of place.
The statements are _entirely_ those of the author, though in many cases
the words are those of the editor, whose task consisted of re-arranging
and very greatly condensing the mass of matter placed in his hands
by Mr. Berry. The narrative and descriptive portion of the work is
taken from a series of note-books and a news-cuttings book kept by
Mr. Berry; who includes the most minute particulars in his diaries.
One chapter--"My First Execution"--is word for word as written in the
diary, with the exception that a few whole pages of descriptive detail
are omitted, and indicated by points (thus....) The chapter "On Capital
Punishment," and portions of other chapters, were not written out at
length by Mr. Berry, but were supplied in the form of full notes, and
the principal portions dictated. In every case, however, the opinions
are those of the author, with whom the editor is by no means in entire
personal agreement.




CHAPTER I.

The Executioner at Home.

BY H. SNOWDEN WARD.


James Berry, though regarded by some people as a monster, and by
others as a curiosity, is very much like any other working-man when
one comes to know him. He is neither a paragon of perfection, nor an
embodiment of all vice--though different classes of people have at
times placed him under both these descriptions. His character is a
curious study--a mixture of very strong and very weak traits, such as
is seldom found in one person. And although one of his weak points is
his Yorkshire open-hearted frankness, which he tries to control as
much as possible, the man who has only been with him a