State Library of South Australia

First Execution in South Australia, in 1838, for shooting Sheriff Smart [B 7797] • Artwork

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Summary

Pencil on paper sketch of the execution of Michael Magee. He was the first man executed in South Australia, for shooting Sheriff Smart. Michael Magee is standing at the back of a horse drawn cart and a noose is hanging from a brach above his head. A man is standing on the cart using a ladder to attach the noose to the tree. He will be hanged when the horse moves forward. Unfortunately the hanging did not go to plan. Firstly it was difficult to find a hangman - the cook at the South Australian Company was chosen, and secondly Magee was able to lift himself up on the rope. The hangman was obliged to hang onto his legs until he was dead thus causing the crowds to shout "murder". He needed a police escort to escape. The hanging took place in North Adelaide.

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Physical description

Artwork (pencil on paper); 13.0 cm x 18.0 cm (irreg)

Dates / Publication details

1838

Artist

Skipper, John Michael

Collection

Part of General Collection

Subject

Hanging -- South Australia
Capital punishment -- South Australia

Catalogue record

Return to catalogue

General notes

Artwork is inscribed, "Sketched on the ground by J. M. Skipper" which suggests the artist witnessed the execution.

Artwork is inscribed with pencil on verso, with two figures of women. The costume worn by each figure has been carefully studied.

Digitisation information

Date

03/03/2006

Format

image/tiff

Resolution

2,999 x 2,278 pixels (6.8 MP)

Size

20.53 MB

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