The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-09-22 00:00:00

THE ASSASSINATION OF CAREY.

ARRIVAL OF O'DONNELL.

The: Union Company's Royal Mail steamship
Athenian, Captain St. John Warleigh, with the Cape
math', and having on board the alleged murderer of
the informer Carey, arrived at Plymouth at noon on
Monday. It had been expected that the vessel would
be considerably delayed inasmuch as a dense fog pre-
vailed in the Channel. The Great Western Railway's
steam tender Smeaton lay alongside the wharf from
early morning with steam up. The usual look-out man
was stationed on shore to be ready for the earliest
intimation from Penlee Point as to the approach
of the mail boat. The police at the dock gates
were peculiarly inquisitive concerning the business
of strangers, and the captain of the Smcaton had
orders to allow no one on board his ship without
a special permit, and to search the vessel before she
started. While all these precautions seemed to be
premature, the Athenian entered the west end of the
Breakwater, the first knowledge of her proximity
being the sounding of her fog horn. All baste
was then made to get off, and at half-past twelve
the Smeaton was well under weigh, having on
board, besides the ordinary officials from the Post-
office and Customs, Inspectors Littlechild and Ahern,
Inspector Pope being left on shore. When the
Smeaton arrived alongside th Athenian, Captain
Warleigh first cleared his ship from any observation
on the part of the Castom House officers as to the
health of those on board, and soon afterwards was
introduced to the inspectors from Scotland-yard.
Captain Warleigh having ascertained that the business
on which the officers attended was of a private cha-
racter, invited them into his state room. Inspector
Cherry, of Natal, who, together with Messrs. Jupe
and Cook, had been entrusted by the Cape Govern-
ment to bring the prisoner to England, was sent for.
After a short consultation between the offioers the
Chief Steward conducted the party down the second
companion forward, where O'Donnell's cabin was
situated.
At the time of the arrival of the detectives on the
main deck O'Donnell was in his cabin, but one of the
officers immediately conducted him into the presence of
the inspectors. O'Donnell a tall spare built man
fairly well dressed, wearing a billyoock hat, and giving
evidences of scrupulous attention to his toilette, took
his seat on a sea chest, and put his hands in his pockets
as if thoroughly at ease. Mr. Ahern, addressing O'Don-
nell, asked him how he had enjoyed the voyage. The
prisoner replied that he had had a very pleasant trip,
that he had not been put in irons or handcuffed, and
that the officers in charge of him had treated him with
the utmost kindness. Mr. Ahern observed that he
was confident that he could say on behalf of Mr
Littlechild and himself that the same consideration
would be extended to him while he was in the custody
of the Scotland-yard police. Mr. Littlechild then
showed his warrant to receive O'Donnell into
his custody. While the conversation was going on
between the Cape officers and the Metropolitan
detectives, the prisoner looked up suddenly at In-
spector Littlechild and said, laughingly, "Have
you got No. One' this time, then ? " The
officer, holding up his finger, replied, in an equally
jocose tone, " ' No. One' is a tall, straight figure. If
you had been bigger and rounder we might have taken
you for 'No. Two." Shortly afterwards O'Donnell
was taken to his cabin, and Inspector Littlechild told
Mr. Cherry that he was relieved from all further
responsibility, and that O'Donnell was now to be
considered in custody of the English police. The
Cape officers then walked aft, expressing satisfaction
that their duties were at end.

O'Donnell remained in the cabin during the whole
time the tender was alongside, and was carefully pre-
vented from holding communication with anybody.
After about half an hour the tender steamed back to
the Great Western Docks. The news of the arrival
of the Cape boat in the Sound had spread through the
town, and a large crowd lined the pier as the Smeaton
cameltlongside. Much disappointment was expressed
among the curious when it was made known that the
accused man had been taken on to Southampton. The
Athenian shortly afterwards proceeded on her voyage
to Southampton.

O'Donnell landed at Southampton on Tuesday
morning, and proceeded to London, in charge of a
strong force of police, shortly afterwards. Early on
Monday morning Chief-Supeiintendent Williamson,
of Scotland-yard, and Inspector Ousley were in
Southampton making the necessary arrangements for
the prisoner's disembarkation, and there were brought
down about a score of the A Reserve to assist the
local dock police in keeping the landing-stage clear.
The Athenian was signalled off Hurst Castle at
seven o'clock, and an hour and a quarter afterwards a
tug which had Lad steam up, conveying Inspector
Ousley, the Superintendent of Southampton police,
and two or three others, started for the vessel, which
was found about three miles off, making her way for
port. When the tug got alongside O'Donnell, who
was below, was sent for and quickly appeared with
the officers on deck. Having shaken hands with the
police t fficial4 wha had accompanied him from the
Cape, who did not intend to proceed with him
to London, he was at once assisted on to
the bridge of the tug. In a few minutes a
closely sealed box, containing the documents re-
lating to the case, which had been sent from
South Africa, was handed to the officers and placed
in the tug, followed by a second box in which were
the prisoner's belongings. The tug then returned to
Southampton, which was reached about a quarter past
nine o'clock. On landing the prisoner showed no sign
of nervousness whatever, walking up the steep incline
with a firm step.

As soon as the luggage had been deposited on the
quay Inspector Littlechild conducted his prisoner
to the back of the sheds, where an engine and two
carriages, designed to convey the party to London,
stood. The prisoner was placed in a first-class com-
partment of a composite carriage, aril the detectives
took their seats in the same compartment, the rest of
the police officers filling the carriage. When the
train, which was due to leave at ten o'clock was ready
to start, the carriage containing O'Donnell and his
custodians were attached to it, and the journey to
London commenced.

At five minutes past twelve the train reached Vaux-
hall, whence the prisoner was at once conveyed to Mill.
bank. A large number of constables and mounted
men lined the approaches to the station, and men
were also thickly posted upon Vauxhall Bridge. Super-
intendent Williamson, immediately upon the arrival
of the train, ordered O'Donnell to be taken to the
police van, which was in readiness outside the station.
Inspector Horsley and three constables then ascended
to the box, and other officers having got into
the van the prisoner was at once driven quickly off to
Millbank Prison.

The following account of the passage home of
O'Donnell has been furnished by a first-class passenger
on board the Athenian. He says :—" O'Donnell was
put on board the Athenian at Algoa Bayou Friday, the
24th of August, in charge of Inspector Cherry, of Port
Elizabeth, and two detectives, the whole party occupy-
ing two cabins in the second-class saloon. We sailed
for Cape Town at four p.m., and arrived there on the
26th of August, The vessel was immediately docked.
Owing to its being very early in the morning few per-
sons, beyond the dock officials, knew of the steamer's
arrival. Commissioner Shaw, of the Police Force of
Cape Town, with the water police, were in waiting to
take charge of the prisoner, and to lodge him in the
Cape Town Prison until the departure of the
Athenian. The ship was appointed to sail on the 28th
ult. at four p.m. When the ship was in dock
O'Donnell was handcuffed, and with Inspector Cherry
and the detectives was put into a cab at the East
Quay and driven to the prison. On Monday, the
27th August, it was known that O'Donnell's sympa-
thisers intended to make an application to the
Supreme Court the next day to have him tried in the
colony. On Tuesday morning, the 30th tilt„ the
Supreme Court was densely crowded with people to
hear the application. After a hard fight between
counsel on either side the Court delivered judgment,
holding that they could not in any way interfere with
the Crown authorities in the matter. At 1.20 p.m.
on the day that his application was unsuccessful,
O'Donnell was again placed on board the Athenian
and confined to his cabin. At this hour it was blowing
k furious south-wester, and when all the passengers
and mails were on board the bell for strangers to
leave the ship was rung punctually at 4.0
p.m. The gangways were removed, and prepara-
tions made to undock the ship; but as it blew harder
than ever Captain Warleigh decided to wait
for a lull before making the attempt. At 6.0 p.m.
however, the wind had not abated, and orders were
given that no persons would be permitted to leave the
vessel, nor any one allowed on board. All these pre-
cautions were taken on account of O'Donnell being one
of the passengers. At 9.0 p.m. it was blowing great
guns, and as there was no likelihood ot the ship
getting under weigh before daylight, the passengers
retired for the night, At nine a.m., on Wednes-
day, the 29th of August, there was a lull in the
gate. The Athenian was immediately undooked, and
at 9.15 a.m, was proceeding full speed ahead on her
homeward passage. We had fine weather all the way
from Cape Town to St. Helena, at which island we
arrived on Monday afternoon, Sept. 3. At 2.45 p.m„
after a delay of 2i hours, we left, and had a rapid
and fine weather run to Madeira, arriving there at
1,0.50 a.m. on Thursday last, the speed having
averaged over 318 miles per diem. During the
voyage O'Donnell was allowed on deck morning
and afternoon, and frequently up to 9.0 p.m. There
were always two detectives with him. But'for this
fact no one on board would have imagined be was a
prisoner. He usually smoked cigars, and occasionally
a pipe, and was frequently in conversation with his
custodians, or any of the passengers who cared to enter
into conversation with him. If the conversation, how-
ever had any reference to the assassination of Carey
he always evaded or turned the topic. He appeared
to be ,fairly well during the whole voyage. His appe-
tite was good, and he slept well. One detective always
slept in his cabin, which was kept locked. His
meals were always cut up for him, and he partook
of his food in his cabin. When first treated in this
way, no knife being on his plate, O'Donnell re-
marked, "I suppose they are afraid I will commit
suicide. There is no fear of that. I have not been
convicted yet, and I hope I won't be. The detec-
tives during the voyage took pains to keep up his
spirits, and when O'Donnell complained of a report
which bad appeared in the London newspapers
about his having been connected with the gang who
had attempted to blow up the Mansion House, they
assured him it was untrue. On hearing this,
O'Donnell exclaimed, As long as you believe lam not
connected with that, or any other plot, I am satisfied.
On our arrival at Madeira the port authorities came
alongside, and after some conversation with Captain
Warleigh, an order was given that no passengers would
be allowed ashore, and no strangers petmitted on
board. There was a little grumbling at this, but the
passengers very soon took the restriction in good part,
and after coaling and a delay of four hours, or there-
abouts, we were once more under weigh. O'Donnell is
undoubtedly under the impression that the crime for
which he is to be charged will not be brought home to
him. He states positively that the authorities will not
be able to produce witnesses to prove the murder."

EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONER.
In London, on Tueeday, at the Bow.street Police.

court, Michael O'Donnell, 48, described as a puddler,
was charged before Mr. Flowers with the wilful murder
of James Carey.
Mr. Poland and Mr. Barnard Thomas, instructed
by Mr. Stephenson, the solicitor to the Treasury, ap•
peered on behalf of the Treasury; Mr. Howard Vincent
and Chief Superintendent Williamson for the Police.
The prisoner was guarded by several constables, who
stood behind the dock. He gave his name as Patrick
O'Donnell, though in the charge he is described as
Michael O'Donnell.

Mr. Poland sad,—ln this case I appear on behalf
of the Crown to prosecute the prisoner O'Donnell,
who is charged before you with the wilful murder of
James Carey on July 29 last, on board the British
ship Melrose on the high seas, within the jurisdiction
of the Admiralty of England and within the jurisdic•
tion of the Central Criminal Court. When this matter
occurred the vessel was about 25 miles south of Cape St.
Blaise, on the high seas, and, therefore, clearly within
your jurisdiction and within the jurisdiction of the
Central Criminal Court. He was arrested at the
time and taken to Port Elizabeth before a magistrate
there. The learned magistrate took the evidence of
the witnesses, and on the 3rd of August he committed
the prisoner to take his trial in that colony ; but
after that was done the officer administering the
government of the colony, General Smyth, thought it
right and proper that the prisoner should be sent to
this country, in order that he might be tried here, and
by his warrant, which was issued by him under the
statute, the prisoner was ordered to be brought by
Inspector Cherry, of the Port Elizabeth police, to
this country, to be dealt with in due course of law.
It becomes necessary, therefore, that the witnesses
should be examined again before you in this court,
but at present they have not arrived, because, for
obvious reasons, it was not thought deeirable that
they should be sent over by the same vessel as that in
which the prisoner was sant. His ship arrived first ;
therefore I ask you for the ordinary remand until
the arrival of the witnesses. That being so, I think
it better to abstain from making any observations
on the case; but when the witnesses have arrived I
shall make a very short introductory statement so that
you may the better follow the evidence. I shall only
call the efficer Littlechild, who received this man
under the Governor's warrant from the Port Elizabeth
police at Southampton, and brought him here. I shall
then ask you to remand him for the full time, when we
expect the witnesses will have arrived. I then hope,
in a full day, to be able to lay before you the whole of
the evidence.

Inspector John George Littlechild was then called,
and, in reply to Mr. Poland, stated that he was an
inspector of the Metropolitan Police Force. On the
17th of September he went on board the vessel
Athenian, which was lying in Plymouth Sound. He
found the prisoner on that vessel. He was then in
custody of Inspector John Cherry, of the Port Eliza-
beth Police Force. He went on with him in the Athenian
to Southampton, and brought him up to London that
day. Inspector Cherry banded him the Governor's
warrant under which the prisoner was brought to this
country. Inspector Cherry did not accompany him to
London. With the exception of Inspector Cherry and
other officers there were none of the witnesses on
board the vessel. The other witnesses were on their
way to this country.

The prisoner, who said he did not wish to ask any
questions, was then remanded for a week.