The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-09-02 00:00:00

DOUBLE EXECI7rION AT CORE

At eight o'clock on Friday morning in List week, the
extreme penalty of the law was executed on Thomas
Crowe and Caristos E. Bombes, within the precincts
of County Cork Gaol, in accordance with the sentence
passed on them at the late Cork Aseizes by Mr. Jus-
tice Lawson. The crimes which both expiated on the
scaffold are already well known. Chriatas Emmanuel
Bombos, a Greek sailor, was c nvicted, after a second
trial, of. being concerned in the mutiny and murder
of the captain and officers of the Caswell, on the 4th
of January. Thomas Crowe was found guilty of having
shot John Hayland, the coachman of Mr. Bridge, land
agent, on the eccasion when Mr. Bridge himself was
fired at when re turning home in a car, with armed police,
hi March last. In both cases memorials were forwarded
to the Lord-Lieutenant praying for an alteration in the
sentence, and on the morning previous to the execution
replies were received from his Grace, stating that the
law must take its course. In the case of Botribos a
very strong memorial, signed by several clergymen
and magistrates of the city, was forwarded, together
with a long statement of the prisoner, giving his ver-
sion of the mutiny, and declaring that he was an
involuntary participator in the occurrence. For some
time the convict entertained hopes that his petition
would be heard; but when the Lord Lieutenant's
reply was made known to him he completely broke
down and fainted. Since his conviction Bombos was
visited daily by Mr. Yourdi, Greek Consul in Cork,
who took a deep interest in his case. A Greek priest,
the Rev. C. Strattili, Archimandrite of Liverpool, ar-
rived at Cork on Sunday, and during the week was in
censtant attendance upon the culprit. Bombos had
been preparing for his end in the schoolroom set apart
for his accommodation. Towards six o'clock the even-
ing before the execution the Greek clergyman had taken
his departure, but the rev. gentl-man's assistant
(the Rev. Nicholas Vidiano) returned at a later hour
to spend the night with the condemned man. About
a quarter before midnight Bombos retired to bed, and ,
slept until a quarter to four. At that hour he rose I
and dressed himself. At five o'clock the Greek clergy-
man arrived, in company with his nephew. Bombos
obtained extreme unction according to the Greek rite.
The convict Crowe concluded himself in a most exem
plary manner. Being a Catholic he was attended by
the Catholic chaplain of the gaol. The procession was
formed a few minutes before eight o'clock. Crowe,
attended by two priests and holding a crucifix, led the
proceesion ; Bombos followed, accompanied by the
Archimandrite, robed in a purple vestment, and hold-
ing a large gilt cross studded with brilliants. Both
men gave the responses to their priest in firm and
audible tones. Marwood was the executioner, and
used a lengdrop. Crowe died immediately, but Bombos
heaved convulsively for two or three minutes after the
bolt was drawn. Thomas Crowe was 65 years old.
He made no public statement. Bombos was 23 years
of age. He was born in Athens, and was the son of
an ex-pcst captain of the Greek navy. He was
respectably connected. The following is a translation
of a statement he made :
"Cork County Gaol, August 12 (24), 1878.
"My dear Brother,—l, Christos Emmanuel Bombos, having
two brothers living, Cyriac aid Alexander, a father and
mother, an unmarried sister, Catherine, and a married one,
Irene, living at thralls, and also many paternal and maternal
relati us, hereby affirm to all Greeks-and Irishmen that f,
the said christos Emmanuel Bombos, embark-ed on board the
Castreti at Buenos Ayres for Valparaiso. I emphatically pro.
claim that I am Innocent of the crimes for which I have been
convicted, and took no part in the perpetration of the
murders. At the moment I depart this life I express my
deep gratitude to the Dean of Cork and the two Pro-
testant clergymen, Mr. Connolly and his son, who took
such a kind and humane interest in me; lir.
Yourdl, the Consul; his brother. Mr. E. G. Yourdi ;
and to ell those Greeks and Britons who have tried to save
tie frum the gallows ; to the two ladies of this city who have
given my spiritual father, the Rev. Archimandrite Constan-
tine 8 tratull, a silver crucifix, which according to their de-
sire !s to be forwarded to my mother after my death ; and to
all t: can who signed the memorials on my behinf, to the
Gaovveerenhoorwoefa mtheGe o m
aosl, Captain Roberts,
consideration
thean
doitis;imalpsiwthhyo
h .
Finally, I forgive those who have borne witness against me,
as I Lope to be forgive?,
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holy
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