The Cotton Factory Times. — 1886-08-13 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

ANN ZLITLAND, 211 E A.ZIITOIT POISONLZ.  On Monday morning Mary 'Ann Eritlandnvas executed at Strangeways Gaol for the murder of Mary Ann Dixon, at Ashton, on the 14th of May last, two other murders having also been proved against her, that of her husband, Thomas Britland, on the 3rd of May, and that of her daughter, Elizabeth Hannah, on tho 9th of March. The last hope, or rather chance, of respite or commutation of the death penalty was removed when on Saturday morning the following letter marked "Immediate" was received :  Whitehall, 6th August, MG. Sir,—Responting your communication of the 4th Instant, I am directed llv toe Secretary of State to acquaint you that after carefully considering all the circumstances in the case of Mary Ann Brigand. now under sentence of death. he regrets that he is unable to discover any suff, .innt reason to justify his advising any interference with the due course of the am, sir, yours obediently. GODFREY LUtiIiINGTON. J. H. P. Leresche, Esq., Police Court, Strangeways, Manchester. A similar letter was received by Major Preston, governor of the gaol, aud by Mr. F. W. Bromley, solieitor, Ashton, in reply to the petition ho had sent up to the Home Office praying for a commutation of the sentence to one of penal servitude. In truth no other result could have been anticipated, although it was quite proper that snch an effort should be made even on behalf of a criminal in whose case it was scarcely possible to discover any extenuating circumstances. Her friends, however, have clung to her with a devotion which does credit to their charitable cud humane feelings. On Saturday, three of her relatives visited her. These were her daughter, Sneannah, her sister, Jane Hague, and Peter Balker, a relative whose name was mentioned in the course of the trial. Some of the other witnesses also received notice on Saturday that the condemned womau desired to see them, and one of them, a lady, went to Manchester and had an interview with her, during which Mrs. Britland made, it is stated, some statements with regard to the crime which are for the present withheld. This lady states that Mrs. Britland still protested her innocence of administering poison to Mrs. Dixon, but that she bought it. She states that Mrs. Britland seemed to cling very tenaciously to life. She advised her to pray for pardon during the short time left to her, and Mrs. Pritland assured her that she did pray fervcntly, and added that Canon Whittaker had just been to see her. The poor woman expressed a desire that one whose ministrations she had so long attended should visit her, and the letter arrived at Lees on Thursday. It was sent on to Ileekingham the same evening, and, when received, the worthy Canon at once made preparations for acceding to the request. Ile arrived at Birch House, Lees, on Friday evening, and early on Saturday morning he paid the requested visit. Ile found her very penitent, and held an extremely affecting devotional service, praying with her and for her, pointing out the story of the cross, and for whom Christ died. -11 rs. 13ritlaud, the lady added, had changed very much since her trial, and looked very thin and pale.