The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-10-25
Following Unprecedented
Period of Self Starvation,
Executive of Cork Dies
in BrixtOn Prison
AT CLOSE OF 73RD DAY
OF HUNGER END CAME
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR AND BROTH.
EK WITH UNFORTUNATE MAN
WHEN HE LAPSED INTO FIN.
IL. uNCONSCIOuSNEsS

Lordon, Oct. % Terence McSwiney
Lord Mayor Of Cork, died this morn (,
ing at Brixton prison, following a hum
ger strike of IS days.
The lord mayors death occurred at
$40 o'clock this morning Father
| Dominic. his private chaplain, and his
brother, John McSwiney, were with
him at the time.
| McSwiney never regained conscious
ness.
Terence McSwiney, lord mayor OF
Cork, died at $40 o'clock this morning,
His death followed n hunger strike Of
more than 73 days, eclipsing any in
the annals of the medical world.
| McSwiney. who had been uncon-
scious for several days. did not re.
cover his faculties before he died.
Father Dominic. his private chaplain,
and his brother John McSwiney, were
with him when the end came. Father
Dominic was at the prison all night
and did not leave until several hours
after McSwiney breathed his last.
| McSwiney and the chaplain who had
been visiting down stairs in the prIs.
on. were told by prison officials at
ABS o'clock that they should go to
the mayors bedside as they thought
death was approaching. The brother
| asked for the privilege of communi-
eating with other relatives who were
not present, but the officials, it is
understood, refused him the use of
telephone.
After the prisoners death his broth
er and the chaplain were not per-
mtted to leave Brixton prison until
6:15 ocock. John McSwiney imme-
diately conveyed word to the widow
OF the Lord Mayor, who was staying at
the West End hotel, with Mr.. and
Mrs. O'Brien, the former being ths
London executive of the Irish Self
Determination league.
Mrs. Terence McSwiney accompan-
led by her parents. and the Misses
Annie and Mary McSwiney, sisters
Of the lord mayor, arrived az Brixton
prison at $3.50 o'clock.
1t is understood arrangements are
being made to take the body to Ire
land for burial.
News of McSwineys death had not
become known in the district around
BriXton prison until after 9 O'Clock.
The usual large contingent of police
was on duty inside the prison grounds l.
to prevent any demonstration, but
outside and along the road leading to
the main highway, there were no un-
usual signs Of activity. No civilians
were waiting there, as they usually did,
in the early days of the lord mayors
hunger strike.
1t is probable the inquest VIII be
held at the prison today. after which
the body will be turned over to rel
atives.
McSwiney was unconscious for 80
hours before his death occurred, 1t Is
stated Father Dominic. therefore, was
unable to give him the last sacre-
ment. but he administered Extreme
Unction.
The cause of Mesviney's death
was heart failure. according TO "A
statement issued at the home office.
This statement Is considered an in
direct answer 10 the criticisms OF Dr.
Josiah Oldfield, the physician and pub
licist. who had declared it was wrong
Tor the lord mayors doctors TO admin
lister meat juice and brandy. He said
brandy was poison and that man at
the point of death was very suscep-
tib!e to poison.
Dr. oldiield added lnat when man
tasted a long time, the first food he
could endure was fruit Juice.
When one Of tho officials was asked
today regarding Mrs. McSwiney's ab-
sence from the bedside when death
occurred, he replied by saying the re-
strictions which were recently inn
posed upon the visits OF relatives
were urged by the attending physicianl
"a vital 10 the prisoners own interestsl
Terence McSwney was IS years oil
age and was one OF the most promiJ
nent Sim Feiners lie started mel
- Diapers assistant. but becarn.I
poet, author and playwright be-
fore taking up politics seriously. Latery
he became violently anti-English. ]
While in Wakefield jail. Yorkshire.I
in 1916, he met Mural Murphy.y
daughter of wealthy Cork dstIller(
who visited the jail and shortly ar
ter they were married, despite much1
opposition
McSwlney was elected as Snnl
Feiner member from Cork to th.y
British parliament in 1915. but nevsr(
took his seat. He was present at tho\
first session OF the Irish parl.a1!
ment in 1919, but was later elected
lord mayor OF Cork--in 1920. z
For various political offenses N,
had been In Jail, with brief intervals
OF liberty. since January. 1916. and
in October 1917, secured his released
from jail by hunger striking.
Within the past week. when
began TO appear that the lord mayov|
was approaching the end. he was
given liquid nourishment BY the prisl
on doctors during periods Of uncon.Y 4
seriousness.
This fact appeared IN statements byl
both the Irish elf-DeterminatIor
League which had been issuing regu4
lar bulletins OF McSwiney's condl./
tlon. and by the Home Office. Thd
leagues statement showed the ior<
mayor MS becoming extremely Indlrl
(Continued on pane Al -