John Campbell
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Genuine and latest Account of the Excution of John Campbell who suffered at Stirling on Friday last, the 14th of May 1824. shewing the Lamentable manner in which he cried aloud for mercy, with an account of his affecting farewell with his aged Father; also an account how he seized hold of rope when he was thrown off.
This day, the above unfortunate young man, John Campbell, who was, on the 9th of April last, convicted of various acts of Housebreaking and Theft, suffered the last punishment of the law. His behaviour on the occasion of his trial, was of such an uncommon and extravagant nature,—breaking out into the most heart-rending lamentations, and otherwise exhibiting such a want of fortitude,—that many were led to conjecture that there was at least a temporary destitution of reason. His conduct continued nearly the same long after he was taken out of Court, and for several days after his condemnation, the cries from his cell arrested and annoyed the passengers on the streets. He became afterwards,however, more composed ; but still at intervals displayed a weakness of mind, which, coupled with his extreme youth, might perhaps have well excused the extension of Royal Mercy.
Within a few days of his execution, when he was assured on the evidence of an official communication, that there was no hope of the sentence being commutted; his behaviour became more distracting than ever ; and it was deemed necessary to attend him constantly, both with the view of keeping him more at ease, and of preventing the sentence of the law from being self-anticipated. Campbell since his uondemnation, till within these few days, took his meals regularly, and in general slept well. Latterly, his rest was broken and disturbed, his impending fate engrossing his whole attention ; and he was often exclaiming,' How will I be able to suffer such a death!
While conversing with religious people he was more tranquil than at other periods: and he frequently stated that his hope rested solely on the merits of our Saviour. The greater part of last night was spent in a manner suitable to the melancholy occasion ; and the prisoner seemed more composed than he had been far some nights previous. At 2 o'clock this morning, he threw, himself on his bed, and slumbered till 3, when he awoke, remarking that another hour of his time was gone. He again betook himself to rest, and continued in a calm sleep till nearly 5, when he got up, and entered seriously into the religious conversation of those around him; and fervently prayed that the Lord would strengthen him in his hour of trial. During the forenoon, he was visited by several of the religious inhabitants and clergymen of the place, to whose prayers and instructions he paid particular attention. A little before 2 in the afternoon, he was led into the Court- Room, where, as is usual, the religious exercises were performed, after which,attended by the Rev. Mr Anderson of Blair Logie, he moved forward to the scaffold. Centrary to general expectation, the prisoner behaved with a great degree of fortitude, until he dropped the signal, when he seized the rope with his hand, and consepuently by injuring the fall, prolonged his agony for some time.
John Campbell was born at the bridge of Kelty, near Callander, in 1804, and came to reside in the village of St. Ninians, about a mile from Stirling, when very young. What education he possessed, he received at the parochial school of that place. He also attended the Sabdath Evening School there, but notwithstanding the good instructions he was then receiving, he was in the habit of committing many petty depredations through the week, such as entering hen-houses, and carrying off the poultry. He never could think of settling at any regular employment, and to this, the breaking of the Sabbath, and bad company, he attributed his awful end, For two winters he followed after smugling, during which attained a number of bad habits.
Acknowledgement: 'The Trustees of the National Library of Scotland'
