Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-06-08 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

EXECUTION OF CAFFREY.  On SaturdaL morning Thomas Caffrey was executed in Kilmainham ol for the murder of Mr. Thomas Burke. He is the fourth man who has forfeited his life for the Placenix.park murder. Next Saturday Tim Kelly, the youngest culprit, aged 19 years, and the last up to the preemie will be hanged. Delany, the whim man who pleaded guilty to the murder, was reprieved. C ,ffrey was deeply penitent. At half-past six o'clock. the Ray. Canon Kennedy and Rev. Mr. Fancily entered the prison, and at once preceede i to the cell of the doomed Ulan, whom they con Mated to the chapel. Here Caffrey eng.ged in religious cx irci.e for some time, and received the Holy Communion. Toe cro d outside the edema numbered 200 persons, oompemed chiefly of boys and women, and members of the labouring ease. Just as the prison clock chimed the first stroke of the eighth hour the little black flag was run no, announcing that Msrwood had completed his work. About 80 or A 100 of th se in the eroWd knelt down' crossed themselves, and effered.up prayers for the repose of the soul of the deputed. C affray'e mother and °trier relatives broke down completely when the awfill signal was displayed. The deceased man's brother suddenly beret into a paroXyarn of grief, and wandered about aimlessly for a few mom.nts. Inside the gaol the proceedings were of the in eat formal but solemn nature. After Caffrey hail heard HI Ms and had performed his final teligious duti ea in the Chapel, the little procession was formed at a quarter to eight. When leaving the chapel Caffrey said he hoped his fate would be a warning to all young moo against joining secret soeieties. Half way te the place or execution he was met by Marwood. Fie did not evince the slightest emotion during the process of pinioning. The culprit glanced hurriedly at the scaffold, a slight tremor seemed to overcome his frame, but it was only momentary, and with a firm step he ascended the steps leading to the platform. Then he turned to the clergymen, warmly shook bands with them, thanked them for their services, and expressing his great expectation of forgiveness in the next world, stood ready for his fats. Death did not result from rupture of the spinal cord, but from asphyxia, so that death was not instantaneous. Caffrey made no statement and left no declaration, 1 bey Aid the one he had made some time since admitting the justice of his sentence. He was twenty-four years of age, and was, like his brother, fir a long period employed as quay porter. At one time he served in the army. His wife died some time since, having one chile, the issue of the marriage. He had been at one time in the employin-nt of Jones Carey, the informer. The inquest on the body was flied for nine o'clock, the coroner being Dr. Hart. and Dr. William Alexander Carte testified that the Cause of death was asphylia, produced by hanging, and a verdict was returned accordingly. The following letter is said to have been written by Caffrey to his mother ;—"Kilmainham Gaol, June Ist, 1833. half-past eight o'clock p.m. Dear Mother,—l write you these few lines for the last time in this world, and hope you will offer up all your sorrows along with my sufferings in atonement for my crime, and all the sins of my past lite. I hope you will forgive all who have done me harm in this world, as I forgive them from the bottom of my bent, as I expect to get forgiveness from my merciful Father in Heaven. Dear mother, I am just after rec dying the Holy Sacrament of confirmation, and I am quits prepared, with the help of God, to go before the judgment-seat of justice. Make sure to mind your religion, yourself, and the child, and I hope to meet you some day in heaven, where there will be no more p tieing for all eternity, and there, in the company of our blessed Mother and all the saints, we will praise our blessed Redeemer for evermore. Tell all inquiring friends that I hope no one will ever throw a slur on my child or anyone belonging to me for the death I had te suffer. and (hope you will never have cause to blush when my name is spoken, as I am paying the full penalty of my crime in this world, and I hope I will not have to suffer in the next. Whenever you see this letter pray for me. No more in this world, from your loving son,