History of Dover

George William Parker the Dover Murderer was executed in the County Prison at Maidstone at 8 o’clock on Tuesday morning. Since his admission to the prison Parker had been “quite a changed man” to quote the remark of one of the warders, and there was no doubt he deeply regretted the crime of which he was found guilty. From the first he gladly received the administration of the Prison Chaplin, and his demure showed unmistakably that he was thoroughly repentant and quite resigned to his fate.

He was just like “a little child” said one official and seemed very grateful for any little service rendered to him.  A more docile prisoner has perhaps never entered the portals of the County Court.  Parker took an effecting farewell of his two brothers on Saturday and all three men broke down long before the close of the interview.  Two or three days before the condemned man had written to his parents telling them that drink had been his downfall and that the deceased woman had in no way to blame for what occurred.  Parker was awake very early on Tuesday morning and at his own request he received in his cell the Holy Communion.  Ellis the executioner arrived at the prison soon after 7 o’clock and proceeded to the condemned cell about ten minutes to eight. Parker readily submitted to the pinioning, which was the work of a few seconds, and on the stroke of eight the procession to the scaffold commenced. The unfortunate man walked between two warders but he did not require the slightest assistance.  He walked with a fine step and head erect and the bolt was drawn immediately on his reaching the scaffold death being instantaneous.  Parker we believe left a message but both the Chaplin and Governor declined to divulge the contents of this.
There were present at his execution the Governor of the Gaol (Captain D’Aeth) the under sheriff Mr. F. R. Howlett the Chaplain (the Rev. Edward Stephens). Dr. Hoar (the prison doctor) three warders and two representatives of the press one of whom was the Dover Express correspondent. The inquest on the body was held by the County Coroner (Mr. T. Buss) shortly before 11 o’clock the same morning. Deceased who was lying in the execution shed had a peaceful look on his face and there was only a faint mark on one side of his neck to show where the rope had been.

Captain D’Aeth the first witness said that Parker was 26 years and seven months of age when he was admitted to the prison.

The Coroner, Do you identify the body as that of George William Parker? - Yes. 

You subsequently received the warrant for his execution for the wilful murder of May Elizabeth Sprinter? - Yes.  

And he was dutifully executed this morning? – Yes.  Everything was carried out