Alexander Miller

Alexander Miller was convicted of the murder of William Jarvie who he beat to death in a robbery at the house of Wester Sheillyards on 12 November 1836.

He beat him to death with a stick breaking his arms and skull and stole a number of articles.

Alexander Miller was a known criminal and when the body of William Jarvie was found all the people in the area looked first to him as the culprit.

At his execution the executioner to the rope around his neck as soon as he mounted the platform as the magistrate had warned him that he might bolt and was of the running propensities.

Then, during the prayer he rubbed one foot against the other to remove his shoes and kicked them a great distance. This was said to falsify a prediction made by an old woman that he would die with his shoes on, ie that he would be hanged.

see Sligo Champion - Saturday 22 April 1837

see Fife Herald - Thursday 23 March 1837