“I run a main strap round the body; and connected with it are two other straps, which take the small of the arm, so that the elbows are fastened close to the body and the hands are free.
“Peace complained, saying, ‘The straps fit very tight.’ I replied, ‘It is better so; it will prevent you from suffering.’ He made no further objection; and taking hold of the main strap, so as to keep my hand on him, we started for the scaffold.
“The governor and the under-sheriff went first, then came the chaplain; and I followed with the condemned man, two warders attending him, one on each side. They grasped him by the arms, but did not support him. He was bare-headed. His face was pale, but pinched with cold rather than fear.
“As he arrived near the scaffold he gave a very wistful look at my arrangements. They were all right, and seemed to satisfy him, for he made no remark. He went up the steps leading to the drop with a firm tread, whilst the chaplain read the burial service. I brought him to a proper stand under the crossbar, and then strapped his legs.
“When that was done he wished to say something to the reporters, and made a beautiful speech. Such a speech has never come from a condemned man I have executed.
“It was really a good speech. When he had finished it he asked for a drink; but you know that was unreasonable, and it could not be admitted, for the time fixed for the execution had fully expired.
“So I placed the cap over his face, and adjusted the rope, when he said—‘I say, the rope fits very tight.’ I replied, ‘Never mind; it’s all for the best; hold up your chin,’ and he did so immediately, so that I could properly fix the rope. ‘Good-bye, all; God bless you,’ he kept repeating as I went towards the lever.
“At this time he did not require anyone to support him, but I told one of the warders to take hold of the back strap.
“Whilst he stood in this manner on the drop, with the noose around his neck, I pushed the lever forward; it withdrew the bolt from the swinging doors, and Peace’s body fell through the aperture beneath the platform. The drop was exactly nine feet four inches.
“Peace was dead in a moment; he never moved a finger or a muscle after he fell; so I carried out my promise to do it well and quickly.”