Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1875 — The English Hangman. [ARTICLE]

The English Hangman.

A Paris journalist claims to have interviewed “M. Marwood,” the English hangman and the successor of Calcraft. “ Calcraft,” he says, “was a gentleman. Short in stature, scanty in vestments, his figure humble as a beaten dog, M. Marwood has the air of a badly-paid solicitor’s clerk. He has an enticing expression, and he always appears benign, kind and easygoing. Like Calcraft, he dresses himself in garments made by the most fashionable tailors of London; his clothes are black, and, being too large, give him a melancholy air. From an invariable.obsequiousness toward Sheriffs, journalists, priests, and, in short, all those who have business with him, he changes his tone toward the condemned. He draws himself up, the pupils of his little gray eyes seem illumed as by a flame, he swaggers and regards the condemned with an imposing air which seems to say: ‘Yes, it is I, M. Marwood. You see that I am not fat; very well, with this excellent rope, of which I hold one end while I place the other round the neck of a man, 1 just dispatch this man whose life is forfeited. It is I who have the honor and the talent to do this. 1, Mr. Marwood, Esq!’ However, he shows the greatest humanity and the greatest celerity during executions, and it is very curious to see him at those moments. This little, miserable man is so terrible at his work tliat he becomes positively frightful. The thing done, the obsequious solicitor’s clerk reappears v but the obsequiousness is mingled with haughtiness. M. Marwood willingly explains to journalists his manner of procedure, and he becomes very cadaverous when he makes his compliments. Here are some details of his conversation: ‘“ls it long, M. Marwood, since you entertained the idea of succeeding Calcraft ?’ “ ‘ Always, sir; but I was not in that line of business; I was in commerce. But I never missed an execution. I have spent whole nights in seeing them.. I have even been discharged from three situations because I was obliged to play truant ior two days in order not to lose an execution. During this time I studied.’ “ ‘ What did you study?’ “ ‘ I studied the procedure of Calcraft, and I said to myself that he hanged with a rope too short. I remarked that his criminals were never killed at a blow, because they did not receive a sufficient shock. Then his ropes were so thin that they almost decapitated the patient (!). It was as bad as using the guillotine.’ “ * They say that you do not agree With the guillotine, M. Marwood?’ “ ‘ Certainly not; and it does not agree with me. We have a right to kill a man, but we have no right to separate him in two. Besides, it is of no consequence that the guillotine works better. It is a mechanical affair, and to do the thing properly is a work of art. I tell you, then, that one day I discussed my theories with M. Calcraft.’ “ ‘ And what did M. Calcraft say V “‘ He first ordered me out of the door i"n contempt. However, after he had reflected—for he was an intelligent man, though somewhat obstinate—" You are the man of the future, Marwood,” he said to mp, with a melancholy air. “ You will be the chief of the new school! But I —l am too old to renounce the traditions of my life. My old hands only know how to hang properly with a rope short and thin!” After that day he frequently asked me to assist him. Some time since I succeeded him.’ “ ‘ And how much money do you make a year ?’ “ Four or five hundred pounds sterling, according to whether business is slack or heavy. We are otherwise very happy.’ “ ‘ You have a family ?’ “ Here the voice of M. Marwood became, churlish. “ ‘ I must ask you, sir, not to speak of Mistress Marwood. An Englishman would not have put so indiscreet a question.’ “ He finished, however, in softer tones, and when our special was taking leave of him he presented him with a hangingrope.”