Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-08-29
From fAs Pennsylvania Inquirer.
THE ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE.
RENAKKABLK ABDUCTION CASE.

REMARKABLE ABDUCTION
one oil our foreign journals long article on alb
uuenon IN which several remarkable noticed
having occurred many years ago in Ireland II is stated
that Us early 1924 abducons were 50 freouent that
found necessary TO pass laws their suppress
ION. In l1O1 iorcble abduction made capital feo.
N.Y. out the laws have since been varousy modified At
one ue an Abduction Club existed. the members which
bound themselves 10y oath carry off such young wo
men as Were fixed upon by any members
II nc inst remarkable described in the article refer
red to- Is that OF Cahanne and Anne Kennedy In. daug
ers OF Richard Kennedy OF Rathmeadean county of Wa
f9ru. lher father was dead and they lived with their
mother IN much responsibility; they were each entitled To
fortune under their fathers will Of 1000 pounds large
sum NJ that time as girls portion in Ireland but oven that
was exaggerated and they were looked upon cOeresses
VI Immense wealth anu as such, objects OF great cupidy
to the abduction clubs The fortunate persons to whose lot
they fell were Carrot Byne, of Bayaun In the county Of
Cdriow and James Strange pronounced range) of ard
popularity IN the country dspaed dashng careless spr
ed fellows but OF different dispositions Srunge irr-
table, lmpeuou and yrannica sacrificing everything
c9mpish hs ends and little regarding the feelings
oil others Byrne the contrary amiabe his
pursuits and Propensies permitted of kind and gentle
temper, particularly 10 women with whom he
universal iavOro. He had attached himself Cathanne
Kennedy, whose disposition congeuia his
own Strange had fixed his regards Anne. who in like
manner Fesembled him in determination and haughtiness
temper In the intercourse OF the country they had
onay met at racebalLs, and other convivia meetings and
tue men had endcavoured to render themselves agreeable
10 e gfs, win such success that reported, the
authority OF their confidential maids that they were actual
N invited by them avail themselves OF the first opportuni
y to carry them Off there no hopes that their moth
rama TRENDS would consent their marrying Of such
desperate fortunes
On the lih Of April l779 the girls accompanied their
mother, aunt and some friends play enacted Craig
uenanlaIa, small town IN the county OF Kilkenny and be-
tore the representation concluded, convey
ed TO them that Byrne und Strange had formed plan to
carry them oil that night from the play and had
number OF adheren around the house for that purpose
Ia great alarm, the girls, with e mother und left
.e heae, ana feTed to another room in the same house,
accompanied by several gentlemen and their friends who
resolved to protect them they bolted and barrcaded tile
door, and remained tor hours without any attempt be-
ing made on the room. At length violent rush
H. tue door gave and the party outside entered
There bed in the ROOM and the girls hastily retired
behind the curtains and endavored conceal themselves
ana impress upon the minds OF the that they had
capped from the apartment and longer in the house
For an hour or more the iresoue aud used
Noeuce bat at the end OF that time they rushed the bed
ana drew the girls from their concealmeu They dis
played arms OF all kinds, swords, and pistols, with which
they were provided, aud in spite all the opposition the
g inends, whom they ercey attacked and threatened
win instant DEATH they dragged them into the street, where
they were surrounded by above hundred armed men
Mn SHIRTS covering their Clothes by the way Of disguise,
Inc then common costume which originated the
"Whieboys." Two horses ready saddcd Catherine
WAS iOced 10 mount one and placed before Byne and An
ne was placed the other before Srangc this way
surrounded by desperate body men sufficient c inni
date aud oyerawe the country they carried OFF
their friends.
After suffering in ways until they became terrif
ed and Snbdued married extored from
ing, however mat the ss should be Immediately released
aud restored 10 their friends. But this part the contract
wss violated and after wsndeng- by riding night
ana day, with whole cavHcadc O armed ruifans they
earnestly persuaded submit to their fate and be re-
concied and obedient their husbands They still per-
sisted IN their remOnstances against the violence offered
them. when was threatened carry them Castecomer
ana bury them therefor in the coal mne and Strange,
in paroxysm OF anger struck Anne in the face with
pewter pot This brutal violence sunk deep into her mind
ana ranked wiki al uneAungushabe resentment never
be forgotten.
1t will hardly be believed that for ire ureeks they were
paraded night and day. accompanied by their awess caya
cnde and resting at miserable houses through the
OF Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow. Kildare SO on to the
north OF Dublin, where they stopped Rush, SINAI. fish
ing town within few miles Of the metropolis. In this
place. they put board vessel accompanied by the
whole party, and sailed 10 the town Of Wicklow; here
with perfect feeling OF indifference and security some of
them Shore but while they were absent the vessel
was boarded by Mr.. Power, accompanied by armed
party who rescued the harased girls and them
their nend' In the meantime ByEne and Strange made
their escape Wales but they instantly pursued APP
pretended, and lodged IN the Jail OF Camarvon.
TWAS long doubtful whether they would not claim the
girls as their wives, and belief entertained that
prosecution would Caiarine 10 be strong
y attached To Byne who had always treated her with gen
uenoss and affection, except the manner of her abducOn;
but Annes amnesty Strange irrecOncilabe, and
toe brutal lndiyny Of the blow only Toe eiaced by
he DEATH Though young, child, her energetic
resentment the reluctance OF her elder but
yielding sister her resolution confirmed by near re-
aon Of nor own, distinguished by the number Of ducs he
ad fought, Mr. Hayes. Ii by the mistaken deter.
mnaon Of Hayes the were brought trial The Joint
DISPOSITIONS OF the girls taken before the Lord Chief
Justice AnnHly and Byrne and Strange ued the
Kilkenny Lent asSizes, the 2Ih Of March, 1850. Let
icTs produced from the young ladies' containing
most tender expressions OF affection, and inviting Io
spectivc lovers carry them Oft, in the way usual
IN the country, % which they were ready and vii.
hing These letters, however, were clearly prov
ed 10 be tUgercs by the Of Byrne vino heard to
boast that the could perfectly copy Miss Anne Kennedy's
hand writing Others read really written 10y the gis
speaking Of thu oectionae manner, aud calling
them their dear husbands but these proved be die
lated under hc strong Impressions of threats and terror
The men were found guilty aud sentenced to death.
IL supposed the would be executed.
Their respectable rank IN society connected with an the
and the frequency Of the act Of addiction made such
marriage be considered thing Invested OF oil crmiuaity
created strong feeling their favour But Scott after
wards Lord ClOnme, then Attorney General and
Quoted the prosecution. lie openly declared IN court that
this abduction suffered 10 pass with mpunity, there
would be safety for any girl and protection for the
domestic peace and happiness OF any family, and hc called
upon the government carry out the sentence. His
attended to- and the unfortunate gentlemen
hanged 60 the great asonishmcnt ut their numerous
friends and admirers So strong and general the
meut among the pcnsauy, that rescue was greatly feared
and extraordinary large force ct horse and foot
dred 10 attend their execution; aud such the deep sym
pnty tor their fate that al the shops shut up and all
business suspended n Kilkenny and the noghborng
towns.
The subsequent fate Of the girls was melancholy. When.
they appeared in the OF Waterford, Kilkenny
the vicinity they assoed by Kissing and hoong OF
the mob who followed them with execrauon through the
streets. They both had pension from government settled
them remuneration for their sufcrings and their
conviction OF feons. This the people considered
the price OF blood and could their adherence
whenever they They were. however respecta-
hv married. tho eldest Catherine. u gentleman named