The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-11-22

war kindled military ardour within
his bosom, and O'Brien found him.
self unable to resist the attractions
which the soldiers career possessed
for him. His record throughout the
war was highly honorable; his brave
ry and good conduct won him speedy
promotion, and long before the ter
mtnation Of the conflict, he had risen
to the rank of lieutenant. When his
regiment was disbanded he recrossed
the Atlantic, and returned to Cork,
where he again obtained employment
as assistant in one Of the large conf
mercial establishments. Here he re-
manned until the night before the
Fentan rising, when he suddenly dis
appeared. and all further trace was
lost OF him.. until arrested for partici-
patton in the attack upon the prison
van in Manchester.
Michael Larkin, was native of the
parish Of Lusmagh, in the southwest
ern corner of the Kings Counry,
where for many generation his an
cestors have been residents on the
Cloghan Castle estate and where
many Of his relatives still reside. Lar
kin's father was respectable trades
man, carrying his business for many
years in his native parish he removed
to Parsonstown, where he contrived
to impart to his son Michael good
English education, and then taught
him his own profession. When Mic
hazel had attained thorough know
ledge Of his business he then went to
England to improve his condition,
after some time he, married and con-
tinued to work on industriously at his
business till May, 81. After some
time he WAS arrested for assisting to
release two of his fellowcountrymen
from bondage.
On Monday, October 2Sth, the three
Irishmen whose lives We have glanc.
ed at were placed at the bar of the
Manchester Assize Court and formally
placed on trial for wilful murder, and
later vurdict of guilty was returned
against them.
Saturday, the 23rd of November,
dawned misty, murky, and dull over
Stafford. During the first hours after
midnight the weather had been clear
and frosty, and heavy hoar covered
the ground; but as daylight approach
ed, thick mist>or fog crept like a
pallid pail over the waking city.
The condmened were reused from
sound and tranquil slumbers about a
quarter to five O'clock Having dres.
sed, they attended Mass, Rev. Canon
Cantwell, Rev. Mr.. Gadd, and Rev.
Mr.. Quick officiating. They heard
this their last Mass, with a fervour
and solemmity which no words could
describe. The Holy Sacrifice having
been offered, the condemned and the
three priests remained in prayer and
spiritual exercises until seven o'clock,
when the prisoners partook Of break.
fast. "The last preparations, says an
English eyewitness, were then be-
gun. At twelve minutes to eight
o'clock the executioner, Calcraft, and
his assistant, were introduced into the
cell in which the prisoners were
placed, and the process Of pinioing
their arms was gone through. The
priests stodd by the side of the I'M
happy men, administering the consol-
atoms Of religion. and exhorting them
to firmness to meet the last dreadful
oreal. The convicts, at this time,
continues the English reporter, IMAM
ifested remarkable fortitude. Not
one Of them Ainched in the least"
The same eyewitness describes as
follows the last act of the tragedy,
with brief general sketch of which
we commenced this narrative:-
"At quarter to eight o'clock the
interior court of the goal presented
a strange and striking spectacle. Be.
hind the wall in New Bailey street
was erected the long staircase lead.
ing to the scaffold, and by its side
were platforms for the use Of the
military. The fog was so dense. that
objects could be but family distig-
uished at distance of thirty yards,
SUDDENLY the words of military com.
mand were heard, and q company of
the 72nd Highlanders marched round
the Roundhouse, and took up posi-.
ton in line at the foot Of the stair.
case. Simultaneously, small detach.
ments Of the same regiment. ascend.
ed to the platform, and crouched
there, with their loaded rifles slightly
projecting over the 'prtsion wall. At
almost the same moment the heads
OF line Of soldiers arose above the
parapet of the railway viaduct. A
line Of wardens was formed in the
asol court. The sentries on duty
ceased their walk; magistrates and
reporters stood aside, and dead 81.
lence prevailed for few moments,
as signal was given from the corner
!, of the Roundhouse. At three minutes
past eight o'clock the solemn voices
of minister repeating the litany OF
the Catholic Church was heard, and
! the head of the procession became
visible through a thick fog, about
thirty yards from the foot Of the stair.
case The Rev. Cannon Cantwell
walked first by the side Of Allen. The
convict was deadly pale; his eyes
wandered alternately from the priest
to the individual standing room, and
then he uplifted his gaze. in a vain