It is seldom that London has witnessed an execution which excited so much sensation as that by which the notorious criminal, whose apprehension and trial are related in another part of this volume, paid the penalty of his crime.
The preparations for the execution were on a most extensive scale; but, large as the provision was, it was more than justified by the event. The crowd - as most experienced persons had anticipated - was noisier and rougher than even Old Bailey crowds are usually found to be on these occasions. No doubt the German residents at the East End aided materially in the increase of numbers, but the most conspicuous element in the mob was the lowest refuse of metropolitan life - the combined force of ruffianism and thieving. The behaviour of the densely-packed mob was in some places not indecent; but in the immediate vicinity of the drop it was the reverse. Fights and hustlings for the purpose of robbery were incessant as the hour of the execution drew nigh, and were actually in operation when the bell was tolling, and when the cry of “hats off” had commenced, and the stealthy appearance of the hangman's head above the level of the scaffold to reconnoitre was greeted with a deafening yell. The police were mustered in great strength, and they kept the ground well wherever called upon to do so; but the few officers scattered separately about the crowd for the preservation of such order as could be hoped for, were able to effect but little towards repressing disturbance. The amusement of “bonneting,” combined with the business of picking pockets, went on with no apparent let or hindrance. During the night some heavy showers thinned the ground at times, but as the morning dawned fresh arrivals filled all the spaces marked out like pens by stout barricades. The houses commanding a sight of the drop were mostly filled with spectators who paid for places, at prices ranging from five or seven shillings to a couple of guineas a head. The sums asked and obtained for whole rooms were large, but did not approach those fabulous quotations which have been sometimes declared to cover a half-year's rent. Twelve pounds, in one instance, secured the possession of a first floor, with a tolerably comfortable bed. Many persons who had paid high for the privilege of a sight, did not succeed in getting such eligible places as they had bargained for. Those persons for a while grumbled at the bad accommodation, but at length, making the best of their bargain, played games at cards, relieved by chorus singing, till it was time to struggle for places at the window.
From six o'clock in the morning the prisoner was engaged in prayer with Dr. Cappel, minister of the German Lutheran chapel in Alie-street, Goodman's-fields. He had been but a few days in communication with the prisoner, and he paid his first visit to Müller some days before; but the prisoner, who was fencing to the last with his own conscience, stubbornly refrained from confessing his guilt. It was only in an unguarded moment that he made any approach to an admission. At one such time, when Dr. Cappel suggested that the death of Mr. Briggs was the result of a struggle, and that no deliberate murder had been planned, Müller replied, “I believe it may have been done in that way.” Dr. Cappel remarked, the first time he took the hand of Müller, that the grasp was not that of a feeble man. His shoulders were broad, square, and well set, and his hands were large and powerful. On the 13th Müller was visited by the Rev. Dr. Cappel, the Rev. Dr. Davis, and the Sheriffs, to all of whom he repeated the declaration of his innocence. In the evening he received another visit from Mr. Sheriff Dakin, who again exhorted him to tell the truth. He listened patiently to the exhortation, but repeated the declaration of his innocence, and as soon as this visitor was gone, he turned to one of the warders and said, “Man has no power to forgive sins, and there is no use in confessing them to him.” When Dr. Cappel saw him on the Monday morning and engaged with him in prayer, Müller still persisted in denying his guilt during the whole interview, which lasted until the hour appointed for the execution. At two o'clock cart-horses were led into the gaol yard through the outside barriers, and in about an hour they returned drawing the machinery for the gallows, which workmen began to place in front of the debtors' door.
The roar of the mob was stricken momentarily into silence, when St. Sepulchre's bell was first heard, but soon they clamoured thrice as loudly as before. Then the ordinary, the Rev. Mr. Davis, came slowly on the scaffold, reading the Burial Service; and after him the murderer. As he came steadily up the steps he raised his eyes, with a kind of curiosity, to the chain depending from the beam high above his head; and when he came below this object he cast his eyes up to it again with wonderful self possession. His bearing to the very last, though he was noticed to tremble somewhat when upon the scaffold, was calm and composed. When the Sheriffs had been led to where he awaited the summons to mount the drop, Müller was found standing by a warder in an attitude of real or assumed nonchalance.
The hangman appearing suddenly, pinioned his victim almost before he knew the executioner was at hand. The convict was then told that he might sit down, but he declined to do so; and for three or four minutes, while the final preparations were being made, he stood firmly, and drawn up to his full height. Dr. Cappel prayed with him in German, and entreated him to tell the truth; but all was to no purpose then. All preliminaries having been completed, and the solemn procession having reached the scaffold, a final effort was made by Dr. Cappel to obtain from Müller a disclosure of the truth. Dr. Cappel, when he stood under the gallows with Müller, the Rev. Mr. Davis being with him, spoke as follows:-
Dr. Cappel said: Müller, in a few moments you will stand before God. I ask you again, and for the last time, are you guilty or not guilty? –Müller answered: Not guilty.
Dr. Cappel: You are not guilty?–Müller: God knows what I have done.
Dr. Cappel: God knows what you have done? Does He also know that you have committed this crime?—Müller: Yes; I have done it.
It is probable that if the hangman had not been so prompt in withdrawing the drop bolt, Müller would have made a much fuller confession, and that his tenacious hope of reprieve having at last given way, he would, perhaps, have made some statement as to how the struggle took place which resulted in the murder. It was only by the narrowest chance that the culprit had time to say what he did, for the important words were almost choked in the uttering. Only the little group under the beam could hear what words were uttered. It appeared as though the last appeal of the German minister was received by Müller with an intensity of feeling. Dr. Cappel bent forward with out stretched hands, and with his face close to that of the unhappy criminal. Through the white cap, which hardly came even with the jaw, the lips could be seen moving, and while Dr. Cappel was thus listening the drop fell. Dr. Cappel was actually leaning forward and listening when the body went down. The two clergymen were left for the moment in close contiguity to the dying man.
Sir George Grey received the following official communication from the Sheriffs of London:—
“Gaol of Newgate, 14th day of November, 1864. “To the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart.
“SIR,-By direction of the Sheriffs I have the honour to acquaint you that the prisoner Müller has at the last moment, just before the drop fell, confessed to the German minister of religion attending him, that he was guilty of the deed for which he suffered. - I have the honour to remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
“Septimus Davidson (one of the Under-Sheriffs).”
Great efforts had been previously made by the prisoner's countrymen in London, who were embodied in a society called the “German Protection Society,” to obtain a reprieve for him, and it is probable that the expectation of their success had much influence in inducing the wretched man to delay to the latest moment the confession of his guilt. The King of Prussia and one of the minor German Potentates, actually telegraphed to the Queen previously to the execution, to request her intervention to save Müller's life. His last words furnished a satisfactory refutation of the exaggerated statements and extravagant appeals made in his behalf.
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