The Ghost of Her Majesty's Penitentiary

Have you heard of the ghost of Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John’s? I believe I just solved the mystery of who that might be.

Here is a story from The Evening Telegram – Monday, July 8^th, 1889.

Execution of William Parnell For The Murder of Archibald Sillars.

This morning William Parnell paid the death-penalty for the murder of Archibald Sillars. He was perfectly resigned to die and had long since made his peace with his Maker. Last week he was occupied in writing farewell epistles to his friends and relatives and spent the whole of yesterday in company with his wife. The mental shock experienced by him after the finding of the jury passed away in a week or so, and ever since he has been preparing his soul to meet his God, with the aid of his spiritual advisers.

He passed a very good night before his execution, took some refreshment after he had taken leave of his wife, and then spent some hours in prayer with the Rev. Mr. Smith. He slept from 1.15 until 5 o'clock this morning, and when he arose had his breakfast and then received Holy Communion.

His spiritual advisers spent the morning with him. Early in the morning he asked the warder, who has attended him all through his confinement, to come into his cell and pray with him, then very fondly wished him farewell.

It was in this mood of prayer and preparation for the other world that his time was spent. At 8 o'clock the Governor of the Penitentiary proceeded to his cell to lead him to execution. The prisoner, in his progress to the scaffold, was accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Wood and the Rev. Mr. Smith.

After these came two turnkeys, then the executioner, and after him the Sheriff.

As the procession reached the corridor leading to the scaffold, the Governor of the Penitentiary delivered the body of William Parnell to the Sheriff for due execution according to Law. The mournful cortege then proceeded on its way.

The prisoner mounted the steps of the scaffold in a very firm manner. A tremor was visible in his attitude as he stood over the trapdoor and in his walk as he went up the steps.

His arms were pinned to his sides, and after he reached the place of execution a cord was drawn around his legs by the executioner.

The ministers of religion prayed with him during the whole scene.

Just as the noose had been adjusted, he said, in tremulous tones, "Lord Jesus, receive my soul!" and when all had been arranged for his execution, and when the Rev. Mr. Wood was pronouncing the benediction over him, in firm, clear tones he pronounced this prayer, “Lord Jesus, into Thy hands I commend my spirit."

The spectators muttered Amen.

At two minutes past eight o'clock the Sheriff gave the signal to the executioner, the trap door opened and his soul sped into eternity. Those present then, dropped on their knees and prayed silently during the few seconds he was dying.

Just at the moment of his execution the black flag was hoisted in the yard of the Penitentiary and remained flying for one hour, as by law required. His death must have been almost instantaneous, as the rope ceased to oscillate about ten seconds after he dropped.

The neck, when the body was taken down and examined, was found to be severed. The condemned man wore a grey suit when he came on the scaffold and had a white cap drawn over his head, reaching just above the eyes.

When the noose had been arranged on his neck, the cap was drawn almost

completely over his face.

The executioner, who was a small-sized, though alert and active man, wore a head covering of a grey woolen material and a grey coat. His pants were tucked into his stockings, which were fastened above his knees. He wore no boots. He was smuggled into the Penitentiary during the night.

The scaffold was erected last week and is unlike the old-time one upon which executions were formerly conducted. It is a wooden box, 9x14, built over a pit five feet in depth. Above this box the crossbar, from which the rope hangs, rests upon two pillars. Immediately under the rope is the trapdoor, which works by a lever.

The executioner, at the given signal, touches this lever and the body descends. After its descent it is not seen by anyone except those upon the scaffold. Governor McCowen and the carpenter, Mr. Churchill, who built this scaffold, deserve much praise for its construction.

The writhing and contortions of a body after hanging cannot by any means be a pleasant sight.

The prisoner dated and signed his will this morning. It is in possession of the Rev. Mr. Wood with his other papers. His body was buried this afternoon between 3 and 4 o'clock.

The following certificate was signed after his execution: We, the undersigned, hereby certify that judgment of death was this day executed on William Parnell, within the precincts of Her Majesty's Penitentiary at St. John's, Newfoundland.

The scaffold was situated in the northeastern yard of the Penitentiary close to the building. It is in this yard that the body will be buried. We were informed by Governor McCowen that the prisoner for the last fortnight or more showed a sincere resignation to death.

This morning he wished good bye to the prison officials, and last week bade farewell to the several members of his family. He was most earnest in his devotions and attentive to the counsel and advice of his spiritual advisers.

His firmness in ascending the scaffold was remarkable, and his piety in commending his soul to God exemplary. That he was sustained in his last moments by the consolations of religion must, if it is possible to do so, alleviate the woe and sorrow of his unfortunate relatives.