The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-23 00:00:00

THE SUN, CONDOM!, SATURDAY EVEAING, NOVEMBER 23, 1867.

BILITISII ML

EXECUIION

ALLEN, Ili. EtKIN, AND

GOULB.

THIS DAY.
(FROM SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.)

MANCHESTER, Saturday.
The dread sentence of the law was this morning
carried into effect, and Alen, Larkin, and Gould
the men found guilty of the murder of Sergeant
Brett—were executed at the New Bailey at 8 o'clock.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the pro-
ceedings during the night was the absence of the
ordinary crowd which makes its appearance on
such occasions. The streets were almost deserted;
all was dead silence in the main thoroughfares
radiating from the Exchange. Chapel-street,
in Salford, presentcl a similar spectacle. Except
where here and there an isolated potato vendor
bad erected his stall in the neighbourhood of
a barricade; scarcely a soul was to be seen for
several hours before or after midnight. The only
crowd observable was that formed by the special
constables in the space directly in front of the scaf-
fold. The respectable and well-disposed inhabitants
of both boroughs seem to have yielded implicit obe-
dience to the request made by the Mayors of Man-
chester and Salford.
The civil and police precautions against a rescue
were of the most elaborate character. In addition

to the barriers crossing the New Bailey-street at
each end of the thoroughfare were barriers still
stronger. Every side street leading to the gaol was
similarly provided, and on the Albert Bridge strong
bars of timber were placed. By the side of the
bridge, opposite the Albert Hotel, is a street leading
to the ordinary entrance to the prison. Where this
street joins New Bailey-street a strong barricade of
thick planks, 12ft. to 15ft. in height, was erected,
partly as a screen or defence, in case a rush were
made for the main entrance of the gaol, in which
the condemned cells are at precisely the corner
farthest away frum the gates. Inside the gaol were
two guns, attended by 30 men of the Royal artil-

levy, commanded by two officers, and 114 men of

the 72d Highlanders. At the back of the gallows
a small platform, commanding New Bailey-street
and the houses opposite, was prepared, to be manned
with soldiers to resist any attempt at rescue that
might be made. • A cavalry reserve was established

in a railway goods depot at the back of the prison
ready to sweep round by the prison gates into New
Bailey-street if required. A company of the 54th
Regiment was also t.tationed on the viaduct of the
London and North-Western Railway, -where it
crosses New Bailey-street, in such a position that
their Suiders could sweep the thoroughfare. It was
an essential part of the military disposition, which
was in charge of Col. Ward, C. 8., that the soldiers
should be kept out of sight as much as l ossiblo, the
troops not engaged about the gaol being held ready
in their barracks. Captain 11 .C. Sylvester, Chief
Constable of Siam], had cl.arge of the police ar-
rangements.

The New Bailey is situated in Salford, at the

lower end of Manchester, on the banks of the

River Irwell, which runs in front of its prin-
cipal entrance, and is defined by a circu-
lar wall 40 feet high, which encloses the prison.
The building is approached by five of the principal
streets of Manchester, all of which converge into
Bailey-street, a thoroughfare similar to the Old
Bailey in London. About the centre of the wall
the brickwork was knocked away, and au aperture
about 30ft. wide made. Immediately under this
opening, which was at least 30f t. from the ground,
the platform or gallows was erected. It projected
about 4ft., and was from 16ft. to 13ft. in length.
At either of the projecting corners was fixed a
stout support upon which a beam rested. Three
strongholds were screwed into the beam about
aft. Nat'l, and to each of which was attached a rope.
From 3 to 4 o'clock the crowd began perceptibly,
though not in any remarkable numbers, to increase,
pressing with greater density upon the solid bar-
riers. On Abert-bridge, near to which the artillery
was stationed, the amusement of the several crowds
who were fain to content themselves with a distant
and very imperfect view of the lofty gallows, con-
tinued to take a musical turn, slow and solemn
ehauuts being preferred, but not exclusively, inas-
much as the singing of Champagne Charlie"
was more than once or twice attempted, and as
often repressed, by general expostulation,
as well as by the remonstrances of the
police and special constables. The sound of
whistles or fifes, not unskilfully played, was
occasionally heard. Fenian sympathy was not by
any means so noticeable iu these newly-gathered
bodies of people as it had been in the earlier assem-
blies, which began to disperse after midnight, but
the feeling of the minority had contrived to make
itself disagreeably known within the gaol, and in the
course of the night the following letter was received
by Calcraft

" Sir—lf you hang any of the gentlemen con-
demned to death at the New Bailey prison, it will
be the worse for you. You will not survive after-
wards."

On receipt of this misive, Calcraft, who ap-
peared somewhat perturbed by its threats, wrote as
follows to the visiting justices :--
46 I received enclosed letter, and it seems a
serious job. I hope you will look after it, and that
I shall get safe home again."
In the neighbourhood of Salford, and in
quarters principally inhabited by a labouring
population of the lowest class, half the houses
showed signs of waking life within, or poured
forth their male and female occupants on the pave-
ment. The Irish to a man, and certainly to a
woman, were up and about ; every female form
being covered with the shawl, worn hood-fashion.
The greater number are strangers in Manches-
ter—last night was ulimistakeably denoted by
the fact that not one person in five could point
out tho way to any spot when asked to do so
Up to five o'clock the crowd, which was now
doubled in the vicinity of the gaol, included very
few women. The space kept clear in front of the
drop, for a considerable distance on either hand, re-
sounded with the quick step of the special con-
stables, who varied the monotony of their watch,
and at the same time kept off the cold, by exercise.
As the time drew on, the mass of human faces
stretching from the barrier at Albert-bridge far
back beyond the Salford bound into Manchester
became a sight never to be forgotten.

Within the goal a silence almost oppressive, and
forcibly contrasting with the great roar of the
crowd outside prevailed.

• Late last evening the Rev. Mr. Keats and
a Catholic priest, from Ranasbottom, near Hud-
dersfield, arrived at the gaol to visit the con-
vict Allen. lie had been specially sent for
by Allea's mother, and he remained come
time with Allen, and also had interviews with
Larkin and Gould. He found all three extremely
depressed, especially Allen. They all went to bed
at half-past 11 o'clock, and parsed a tolerably quiet
night.

They were awakened at a quarter to 5, and were
at mass at half past 5. They were attended by the
Rev. Canon Cantwell, the .Rev. Father Truck,
and Father Gadd, and all paid the gre.ttest attention
to their devotio.ns. They were firm during the pro-
cess of pinioning, which was performed while the
prayers of the Church were being read. On each
tide of the drop were two platforms filled with mili-
tary, who were ordered ti lie down out of sight ;
two corps with loaded arms were drawn up inside.
Precisely at two minutes past eight the convicts
made their appearance, peceded by the Under She-
; than came Canon Cantwell, followed by Allen,
and supported by two warders, and after them Lar-
kin. They all walked upon the scaffold, fervently
repeating the prayers after the rev. gentleman.
Allen appeared first on the scaffold, and Gould
came next. He immediately went close up to Allen,
with whom he shook hands, afterwards kissing
him upon the right check. Larkin, who was the last
to appear upon the drop, seemed at first the most
collected of the three. He took his place without
seeming to notice any of his companions, but he
fainted before the drop fell.

Caleraft was asisted by another hangman.