The Cotton Factory Times. — 1888-06-15 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

THE JOURNE/ TO MANCHESTER.  As the train started punctually out of Bradford Station, there was a little groaning, but nothing in the way of a marked demonstration. Ile prisoner was handcuffed, and was guarded in the saloon carriage by Chief Superintendent Hicks, Inspector Johnson, Inspector Potts, and Sergeant Girdham, of the Manchester detective force. They had no trouble with him on the way, and the demeanour he had shown all through the day was wll preserved. He was evidently greatly depressed. Every precaution, however, had been taken to prevent the prisoner from attempting any escape.  At the various stations at which the train stopped along the line the news had spread that the murderer was in the saloon carriage, and at Low Moor, Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, and Todmorden, scores of curious people flocked round the carriage, and tried to get a glimpse of the notorious inmate. There was less curiosity shown at Rochdale station, but the people there did not seem to have had any prior intelligence of what was taking place. When the train arrived at Victoria Station, Manchester, at 2 40, it was plain that the murderer's arrival had been made known. As the train ran forward to the No. 7 platform it was seen that a strong body of police under the Chief Constable (Mr. Malcolm Wood), were drawn up, in addition to a large number of railway porters. LI spite of all their efforts a tremendous rush of excited people took place towards the carriage, overcoming for the time the resistance of the police and the porters. A more excited and eager crowd is not often seen. Superintendent Hicks looked out of the window, and did not appear to like the prospect with the responsibility attaching to him. Acting upon instructions, however, he and his assistants at once brought the murderer out of the carriage, the police and porters succeeding in making a way for the moment. As soon as a sight of Firth was caught the crowd gave vent to loud groaning and hooting, which continued as the police hurried with their prisoner—apparently startled at his reception—along the platform. They passed on so rapidly that only a slight glimpse of the prisoner could be obtained. At the top of the carriage way leading to platforms 6 and 7 the Strangeways prison van was in waiting, and towards this he was conveyed along the length of the platform. On the box of the van and behind were several detectives, while an experienced driver was on the box. Into the van the prisoner and the four detectives who had bloaght him from Bradford instantly stepped, and the van drove away at a swift pace along Great Ducie-strizet. At this time crowds of people thronged the approaches to the station, and the excitement was very great. Many police officers ran beside and behind the van, as it proceeded along Great Dacie-street in the direction of the Assize Courts and the prison. At first the driver turned his horses up Southall-street under the impression that he had to go to the prison gates. This error was at once corrected, and the van was turned round, and driven farther along Great Ducie-street to the end of the Assize Courts, where, in Cotham-street—the street where the unfortunate warder lived—is the front entrance to the Manchester County Police Court. Although the intention of the police had been closely concealed it was now obvious that the prisoner was to be brought up at this court, which has jurisdiction over the prison, owing to the fact already stated that the Strangeways Prison is by Act of Parliament made part of the county division. In front of the court a large force of the Manchester comity police were awaiting the arrival of the van. The doors were immediately flung open and the prisoner, accompanied by the detectives, stepped out and was taken hurriedly through a narrow doorway leading into a passage from which the cells under the courthouse are reached. There was an immense crowd of people soon gathered round the door of the police court, but only a few be sides those immediately concerned in the case gained admittance.