The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-10-25
PRISONER WAS
FORCIBLY FED
LAST FEW DAYS
MacSwiney Was Tried By
Court Martial Under the
British Defense of the
Realm Act and He At
Once Began to Refuse
Food - He Was Fed
While Unconscious.

London Oct 25 (By the Associate,
Press Terence MacSwiney, lore
mayor of Cork, died at Brixton prison
this city. at $40 o'clock this morning
His death followed hunger strike o.
more than 70 days, echpsing anything
in the annals of the medical world.
MaeSwiney, who had been uncon
ecious for many hours, did not recover
his faculties before he died. Father
Dominic, his private chaplain, and his
brother, John MacSwiney, were with
him when the end came. Father Domi.
mic was at the prison.all night and did
not leave until several hours after
MacSwiney breathed his last.
John MacSwiney and the chaplain
who had been waiting down stairs in
the prison, were told by the prison off
cals at ABS o'clock that they should
60 to the mayors bedside, as they
thought death was approaching The
brother asked for the privilege of com
munlcating with other relatives who
were not present, but the officisls, it is
said, refused him the use of tele-
phone
After the prisoners death, his broth
er and the chaplain we're not permitted
to leave Brixton prison until 6:l5
o'clock. John MacSwiney Immediately
conveyed work to the widow of the lord
mayor, who was staying at west end
hotel with Mr.. and Mrs. O'Brien, the
former being the London executive of
the Irish Self Determination league.
Mrs MacSw,ney, accompanied by
her parents and the Misses Annie and
Mary MacSwiney. sisters of the lord
mayor, arrived at Brixton prison at
$3.50 O'Clock.
News of MscSwiney's death had not
become known in the district around
Brixton prison until after O'Clock.
The usual large contingent of police
was on duty inside the prison grounds
to prevent any demonstration. but out
side, and along the road leading TO the
main highway, there were no unusual
signs of activity. No civilians were
waiting there, as they usually did in
the early days of the lord mayors
hunger strike.
Arrangements are being made to
take the body TO Ireland for burial.
The cause of death was heart fail |
ure, according to a statement issued
at the home office. ....
Unconscious for 50 Hours.
MscSwiney was unconscious for 80
hours before his death occurred, it is
stated. Father Dominic, therefore, was |
unable to give him communion,
but he administered extreme JUNCTION. |
II was expected that an inquest would |
be held at the prison to-day, after
which the body would be turned over
10 relatives.
Officials at the home Office withheld 1
comment on the case. aside from say
ing that every precaution had been
taken and every means resorted TO, in
cluding forcible feeding during the last
few days, in an effort to keep the
prisoner alive.
Terence MscSwiney was 80 years
old and was one of the most promi-
nent Sim FeineTs. He started life as
a diapers assistant. but became a poet.
author and playwright before taking
up politics seriously. Later he became
anti English.
While in Wakefield Jail. Yorkshire. in
1916, he met Muriel Murphy. daughter
of wealthy Cork distiller. who visited
the Jail. and shortly after they were
married. despite much opposition.
MscSwiney VAS elected a. a Sim
Fsin member Of Cork 20 the British
Parliament in 1915. but never took his
sCat. He vas present IT the first ses-
ZION Of the Irish Parliament In 1919.
when he establishment Of the republic
was confirmed. and vas eiccted lord
nlayor of Cork in 1890.
Fur various political olfenscs Dc had
-ccr iu jail. with brief intervals of lib
ny. since January, 1916. and in Ocio-
cr. 1917. SECURED his release from iaiI
.y hunger striking
Announcement by ths bone oHisr
hat hcaFf failure vas the cause =
itstb g. cous idered su Indirect snssrr
n the criticisms n n. Iaslah uldfald. /
physician and rub'icist. uho declared
! wss wrong for the lord mayors doe