Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-07-19
Gflcttc0 3fli5trIIanD.


In 1903, James Lynch Fitzstephens was
Mayor or chief warden Of Galway. In the
course Of his transactions he found it ncces-
sary to send his son to Spain. Unlike his ia
ther, the youth appears TO have been of wild,
reckless disposition. Instead Of attending TO
the business which brought him over, he
squandcred the funds inlrused to him in vul-
gar dissipation This compelled him 10 bor-
row large sum Of money from the merchant
to whom he was accredited, in his father
name. And 1t was agreed that the nephew Of
the lender should accompany him back TO Ire
land, TO receive payment of the loan. and enter
into more extended commercial relations.
Truly it has been remarked that the first
crime proves the fruitful paren! of a hundred
others. Young Lynch having no means Of his
own for discharging he debt, and not daring
10 ayow his deralcations 10 his father, con-
ceiycd the horrible idea Of Kidding himself Of
his Liabilities by numbering the companion Of
7 his voyage.
Having induced the crew OF tie vessel to
assist him in this evil design, the unfortunate
young Spaniard was seized in the dead Of the
night and cast overheard.
Everything appeared to promise immunity
TO the cowardly assassin. The ship belonged
to his father, and The seamen were in his en-
ploy. Spain was far distant, aud intercourse
between the two countries piccarious.
There is little doubt but, on his arrival in
Galway, young Lynch was joyfuly welcomed
by his family and friends. In time he too,
became a merchant, and, unless tradition errs,
a very prosperous one so much so that he
proposed for the hand Of one Of the most beau
iifu girls in his native city, the daughter of a
wealthy burgher.
II was Willingly accorded.
Preparations for the marriage were being
made, when the too confding father received
inn mi in at m -bpd sf
one Of bis old seamen As the man had served
him long and faithfully, he felt bound to at-
tend 10 il.
Our readers may Judge Of tue horror and
despair Of The true-heartcd magistrate, when
the dying sailor impelled by remorse, con
fessed TO him the yllniny Of his son, and the
share he had taken in bis crime.
II was one Of those blows which, falling up
on the heart, must either crush it or change il
into steel. The aficr-conduct Of the upright
Judge will show which effect it produced upon
him.
The act Of James Lynch Fit2stephens,
on returning to bis desolate home, was to ar
rest his son whom, despite the eutrealiea Of his
wife and relatives, he committed 10 prison on
the charge Of murder; the next, TO secure such
evidence Of his crime rs time and circumstan-
ces permitted, The old seaman was not the
only living witness Of the death Of the young
Spaniard several others Of the crew were still
living These the upright magistrate secured,
and when everything was prepared 10 further
the ends Of justice, brought the wretched Grim
inal to trial
It must have been an awful scene son
before the tribunal Of justice pegdng for bis
life, and bis father presiding The evidence
was overwhelming in fact, it docs not appear
that the young man denied bis guilt. With
euperhumsn for,lude, The Mayor Of Galway,
faithful TO his oath Of Office and the trust fepo-
eed in him by his fglIow-eiiizcns, heard the
verdict ofguilty and condemned The culprit to
death
Few persons believed the sentence would be
executed, and many resolved that ii should
not be.
The first attempt 10 save young Lynch from
his impending doom was made by his district
ed mother and female relatives who threw
themselves at the feet Of the ine2Orable judge
and implored his mercy.
at will leave us childlcss," urged his wife.
mot more than his crime has DONE was
the stern reply
eThink on the disgrace Of our name"
"We must bear that ms VIC may"
fInhuman parent p exclaimed the wretch
ed mother ''Eeither the laws Of God nor
man can demand such a sacrifice at the hands
Of father. II is against natu-e-borribie
wicked. 1t shall not br. -
The old man shook his4icad mournfully.
II is asserted that the beautiful girl afanced
to the murderer tried IN vain the effect Of her
tears and entreaiies to shake his resolution. II
60 she must have loved the murderer well ~
The mother Of the condemned took more &C
tive steps, and nearly succeeded IN saving him
Dame Lynch Filzstephens was a Blake, on,
Of the wealthicst and best considered famlie
in Galway. fastening TO her relatives anf
friends, she lmplored them to avert the nfamj
I from their name rs well as hers They pro
missed, and on the morning Of the execution
Assembled nnmcrously and well armed in tn
street opposite the Mayors house, 10 wbic
for greater security the criminal had been rC
moved.