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My Experiences as an Executioner

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<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</SPAN></span></p> <h1>MY EXPERIENCES AS AN EXECUTIONER.</h1> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</SPAN><br/><SPAN name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="center"><div class="ilb"> <ANTIMG src="images/frontis.jpg" width-obs="403" height-obs="600" alt="James Berry" /> <p class="right"><ANTIMG src="images/frontis_sig.png" width-obs="289" height-obs="83" alt="James Berry's signature" /></p> </div> </div> <hr class="chap" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG id="coverpage" src="images/title.jpg" width-obs="387" height-obs="600" alt="" /></div> <hr class="chap" /> <p class="center">PRINTED BY</p> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/printer.png" width-obs="104" height-obs="111" alt="" /></div> <p class="center">PERCY LUND AND CO.,<br/> BRADFORD.</p> <p class="center p4">Copyright in United States and British Isles.</p> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</SPAN></span></p> <h2><SPAN name="Contents" id="Contents"><span class="smcap">Contents.</span></SPAN></h2> <table summary="Contents"> <tr><td> </td><td class="tdr small">PAGE</td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap"><SPAN href="#INTRODUCTION">Introduction</SPAN></td> <td class="tdpn">7</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">The Executioner at Home</td> <td class="tdpn">11</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">How I Became an Executioner</td> <td class="tdpn">16</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">My First Execution</td> <td class="tdpn">23</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">My Method of Execution—Calculations and Apparatus</td> <td class="tdpn">30</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">My Method of Execution—The Proceedings</td> <td class="tdpn">45</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">Other Methods of Execution</td> <td class="tdpn">50</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">Two Terrible Experiences</td> <td class="tdpn">59</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">How Murderers Die</td> <td class="tdpn">66</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">From the Murderer’s Point of View</td> <td class="tdpn">95</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">On Capital Punishment</td> <td class="tdpn">106</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">Hanging: From a Business Point of View</td> <td class="tdpn">117</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">The Press and the Public</td> <td class="tdpn">124</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</SPAN></h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">Incidents and Anecdotes</td> <td class="tdpn">132</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2"><h3><SPAN href="#Appendix">APPENDIX</SPAN>.</h3></td></tr> <tr><td class="smcap">The Trouble with “Answers” Limited</td> <td class="tdpn">141</td></tr> </table> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</SPAN><br/><SPAN name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</SPAN></span></p> <h2><SPAN name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION.</SPAN></h2> <div class="drop"> <ANTIMG src="images/dropt1.png" width-obs="118" height-obs="119" alt="T" /></div> <p class="afterdrop"><span class="fstwd"><span class="hidden">T</span>he</span> 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</SPAN></span> 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <hr class="tb" /> <p>An explanation of how this book was written may not be out of place. The statements are <i>entirely</i> 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<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</SPAN></span> 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.</p> <div class="enddeco"> <ANTIMG src="images/end1.png" width-obs="81" height-obs="110" alt="" /></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</SPAN><br/><SPAN name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</SPAN></span></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />

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