The Irish standard., 1892-11-26
GOD SAVE IRELAND.
The Anniversary III the Execution
Of the Three Manchester
Martyrs,
ALLEN, LARKIN AND O'BRIEN.
Why the Memory Of the Fenian
Heroes is Cherished by the
Irish People.

Why the memory OF Gn0 Fonlan
Heroes is Cherished by the
Irish People. @
In nearly every city where the irish
race is represented, the memory Of Allen.
Larkin and O'Brien was honored on
Wednesday, the 23rd inst, in ceremonies
that recalled how on tainted evidence,
the evidence of the lowest characters in
Manchester Of both sexes, the gallant
men were executed for the accidental
shooting Of a policeman. The civilized
world was shocked at this atrocious tri-
pie murder, the heart of Ireland was
wruDg with sorrow, and, until the latest
day, the memory Of the Manchester
Martyrs" will be green in the hearts of
the Irish people.
James Stephens had fallen from the
leadership of an organization which had
become too great for him, and was sue
ceeded IN the control of the home forces
by Col. Thomas j. Kelly. Col. Kelly as
sumed the command on the arrest of
Stephens, and subsequently he helped to
plan and had executed the escape of the
Head Centre from Richmond Prison.
After the failure of the rising in 1867
Col. Kelly went from Dublin to Manches-
ter to attend a council Of Fenian chiefs,
onA o1+honrh f<,r rvoor%ho dn%co+;v,, rr,oro
on his track, he, nevertheless, walked the
streets Of the English city unmolested.
At length, however, his great luck
abandoned him. Policemen OH duty in
Oak steet, Manchester, on the morning
Vt September II, were attracted by four
men, who seemed to act suspiciously,
and had certainly no appearance Of hay-
ing a legitimate excuse for being about
an hour or 80 before dawn. They loi-
tered in front of an old clothes shop, and
the policemen thought they overheard
some conversation which indicated bur
9larious intent upon some store.
The constables attempted to arrest all
fonr, but after struggle two succeeded
i'm escaping. The remaining two we're
carried before magistrate at later
hour, and charged under the vagrancy
aot They gave the names OF Williams
and White. respectively, and claimed
their discharge ON the plea Of being
American citizens. They we're about be
ing sentenced to a few days inlprlson-
tplent, when a detective in court stayed
the Judge by announcing his suspicion
that the men were connected with Feni-
anism. A few hours later there was
reatrejpicing in Government circles.
The Fsnian chiefs, who had caused
them 80 much uneasiness, Col. Kelly,
and Capt. Deasy, were safely under lock
and key, While, however, the govern
,ment rejoiced, the comrades Of the cap
tured men, wholly undismayed, plotted
their rescue. They determined, come
what would, to attack the van containing
the prisoners and iberate them.
September Is was fixed for further in
vestigation in the case against the pris-
oners. The preceding evening the au-
thorities in Manchester were apprised
by tslegrams from Dublin Castle and the
Home Office in London of plot to
rescue the Fenian chiefs. The informa-
tion was only half credited. Ehe Feni--
ans would never attempt such thing
right in the heart Of one Of the greatest
of Englieh cities. All the same, the au-
thorities had strong special guard dc.
tailed to protect the prison van. Five
policemen sat up IN front, two stood on
the step behind, and cab driving along
eide contained half dozen constables
we'll armed.
A Within the van, manacled and in sep
arate compartments, were Kelly and
Deasy. The other prisoners were boy
Of twelve and three women from the gut
ters Of Manchester. Sergt. Brett sat in
side in Immediate charge OF the prison
ers. The van was proceeding back to
the Jail at Bellevue, the prisoners having
been recommitted, after having been
fully identified as the Fenian leaders,
Kelly and Deasy. 81 @ ..5
Shortly before 4 clock IN the after
coon it reached the railroad arch which
Hyde road at Bellevue. In another
nonnant the horses reared up alright
'neds. a man with q leveled revolver
led aauddenly appeared before them.
Then, 'l' aAs il up ont of the roadway, There
prang 5as few do1sn neD armed with / TO .
rolsyeFa The policemen did not l wait = II
or tho but - fast as their tl'ss
ega could them started on the run, E'tIl !,
'eayip theel sf the Fenians Y
~ the
4 u lgis to1et