DUKE ST PRISON, GLASGOW

[RJ_Paton]

I'm not sure that the gallows (as depicted in movies) actually existed in our prisons or exactly what shape the "mechanism" took .....  http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/scottish.html has a list of the executions actually carried out at Duke Street and other centres.

[toddy]

thanks for that. the very first person on that list, Patrick Leggett was my great uncle. He was the first man hanged in the 20th century in Scotland. he murdered his wife Sarah Jane and was tried, found guilty and hanged within a month!! something you would never get away in these days of european human rights, I'm writing a piece on it for my family history project and would like to add some pictures to the story including one of  the gallows.

[RJ_Paton]

As it was concluded within a month it is highly likely that he pled guilty to the charges and thus dispensing with a trial

If you can get hold of this book
The encyclopaedia of Scottish executions 1750-1963, by Alex F Young (Orpington, Kent: Eric Dobby Publishing, 1998)
[Shelfmark: H3.200.2158]

you should find further details.

[RJ_Paton]

Patrick Leggatt
Age:-     30
Date of Execution:-    Wednesday, 12th November, 1902
Location of Execution:-    Duke Street, Glasgow
Hangman:-    William Billington
Assistants:-    Not Known
Tried At:-    Glasgow
Trial Dates:-    22nd October, 1902
Trial Judge:-    Lord Justice Traynor
Crime:-    Murder
Victims:-    
Name:-    Sarah Jane Leggett
Age:-    27
Location of Murder:-    93 Wylie's Back Land, Whiteinch, Glasgow
Date of Murder:-    Saturday, 13th September, 1902
Method of Murder:-    Stabbed
Relationship to Killer:-    Wife

from http://www.murderfile.net/names/leggett.htm

[toddy]

I already got the book, I've also been to the National Archives in Edinburgh and got all the court case papers including post mortem reports, witness statements. and his many many previous convictions for drunkenness and assaults,
Also copies of a journal that the prison wardens kept on him during his last two weeks in the condemned cells. This gave details of all the meals he ate, how many times a day he prayed, his visitors and a request he made to lay flowers on his dead wifes grave (Refused)
So all I'm really missing is some pictures 

[RJ_Paton]

and a request he made to lay flowers on his dead wifes grave (Refused)

Personally, I think on this occasion, pictures might not add that much to a well told narrative.

[annaandchester]

For those who have an interest in true crime, the case of Susan Newell makes very sad reading. I have always thought that she was covering for someone else.