The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-11-27
position in line at the foot of the stair

CdSe. simultaneously small Qetacn-
ments of the same regiment assembled to
the platform and crouched there, with
their loaded rifles slightly projecting
over the prison wall. At almost the
same moment the heads Of line Of
soldiers arose above the parapet Of the
railway viaduct.
A line Of warders was formed in the
Jail court. The sentries on duty ceased
their work; the magistrates and report
ers stood aside, and dead silence pre-
vailed for a few moments as signal
House. At three minutes past o'clock
the solemn voice of priest repeating
the Litany of the church was heard, and
the head Of the procession became WISH
BILE through the thick fog. about thirty
yards from the foot Of the staircase.
Father Cantwell walked first, by the
side Of Allen. who walked with steady
step, and uttered the response, Lord,
have mercy upon us" in a firm voice.
Next came Larkin. In whose appear
ance confinement and anxiety of mind
had wrought striking change. Goul
(O'Brien) was the last, and he met his
fate more firmly, joining in the re-
sponses with a firm voice.
About five minutes to s the door lead
ing from the Jail yard to the scaffod
was opened, and the same instant al
most every head In the crowd was I'M
covered.
Allen was the first to appear. In his
hand he clasped crucifix. Calcraft at
once placed the white cap over his face
and adjusted the rope. Meanwhile he
continued eager in prayer.
Then followed Gould (O'Brien). who
the drop he shook hands with Allen and
kissed his right cheek. He, too was
forthwith capped and placed In the
moose.
Larkin was the last to mount the
scaffold, which he did with frmness.
with u smile upon his face. and, like
the others. he submitted to the prelim
inaries. They all Joined In the re-
sponses to the litany with firm voices.
When the bolt was drawn and the three
bodies dropped, Allen was dead In about
Il minute. but the death of Larkin and
O'Brien was moro painful; both ap-
pcared to struggle for some time. Their
bodies were cut down at o'clock.
The following account, which was pub
lshed in an English paper on the day Of
tho Manchester execution, and which
was kindly loaned to us by an old reader,
thus describes Manchester before the ex-
ecution:
Open spaces" says the account. 'are
filling on every side. Never since 1919.
the scene of the Petcrloo riots and mas
sacre, did the sun rise on Manchester
more excited. Tho banks are guarded:
the hotels are watched: tho police force
has been strengthened by 5000 volun-
tcers and by nuxillaries from Liverpool,
Blackburn and other towns. In the
front Of the scaffold is densely packed
guard of police and trusted persons slf-
flcicnt to keep any number beyond easy
rifle range of the scaIfold.
Every window overlooking New Bal
ley street has been engaged. But the
tenants have been compelled TO furnish
the police authorities beforehand with
the name and address of the persons;
who may occupy the windows. Not only
this street. but every approach to 1t. is
crowded; at least 10000 persons are
clearly within sight OF the scalfold.
1.-The morning is cold and raw. y
dense fog hangs over the to"7l.
The preparations within and around
the prison are so complete that no at
tempt at rescue is anticipated. The
military force includes tho 57th and I'D
llighlanucrs and the Sth I,lssars. in ad-
dilion to the Royal Artillery, with two
batteries of guns.
The military are kept out of sight,
but their presence is understood. Be-
hind the prison walls runs a temporary
platform, upon which the soldiers can
mount In the event OF shots being fired.
The top Of the wall would give them
complete command Of the crowd In
front, besides providing q safe breast
work for the defenders All the tiremcn
of the city are on duty, ready to turn
out at n moments notice"
The view that the English press took
of the execution Of the Manchester mar
tyrs can best be told by quoting from
the London Daily News: "The only ef-
flcient way said this English paper.
of dealing with public enemy, is to
hang him."