Discussions

December 13, 1907 – 23 year old Lawrence Gowland was hanged in Morden at 7.45 a.m. for the murder of Georgina Brown. Georgina was hired help on a farm east of Killarney MB. Gowland attacked her, presumably for sex, and when she refused him he killed her with a straight razor and then tried to slit his own throat.  
 
The doomed man went to the scaffold without a tremor. As early as six o'clock in the morning a number of persons had assembled outside the prison, and before daylight arrived those summoned as jurors had taken their places in the sheriff's office.  
 
Sheriff Piggoot and the hangman were the coolest men in the court.  
At 7.47 the Sheriff appeared at Gowland's cell and asked him to follow him to the scaffold and so without muttering a word the prisoner stood up and accompanied by two jailors left his cell and joined in the procession.  
 
The Rev. A. Wiley headed the procession and while on the way to the scaffold read a lesson from the Anglican prayer book: this added to the solemnity of the affair.  
The two jailers supported Gowland one on each side but their assistance was not needed.  
 
The distance from Gowland's cell to the scaffold measured 85 feet.  
Arriving at the scaffold steps Rev. Wiley preceded Gowland and Sheriff Piggott.  
As the hangman strapped Gowland’s arms and legs he listened to the scriptures being red by Rev. Wiley. When the Reverend had placed the black cap on his head, he repeated “The Lords Prayer” as the Preacher arrived at the words “Thy Kingdom Come” the Executioner palled the lever and the Doomed Man dropped through the trap door.  
 
After six minutes had past, the Jail Surgeon Dr. C.A, Parr could still detect a slight beating of the heart. At 8.20 a.m. he pronounced Gowland dead. Immediately after the hanging an inquest was held in the Court House. Coroner H. Speechly, of Pilot Mound presided and the jail Surgeon gave evidence as to the execution, and it was the unanimous verdict from the Jury that the hanging had been done successfully.  
The Hangman’s identity has remained a secret. At the Hotel he registered under the assumed name G. Mick. It is known that he haled from Winnipeg and his speech had a Ruthenian, (Ukrainian: ??????, Rusyny ) accent.  
 
While working on the scaffolding he wore a disguise of a fake moustache and beard. Immediately after the hanging was finished he suddenly departed from the Court House.  
 
Ms. Georgina Brown was killed on May 22nd, 1907 and is buried in the Killarney cemetery.  
Mr. Lawrence Gowland was tried for her murder exactly five months later. He is interred in the prison yard of the Morden jail.  
 
Source: http://www.manitobasburiedhistory.com/?page_id=28