The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1871-04-28 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

EXECUTION OF THE STRATFORD MURDERER.  The execution of Michael Campbell, for the murder of Mr. Galloway at Stratford, took place on Monday morning within the walls of Springfield Gaol, the county gaol of Essex. The prisoner had made a statement to the effect that he had for many years led a life of crime and dishonesty. For some time he got his living by picking pockets. At an early period of his life he and three other lads were convicted of robbery, and he was sentenced to a term of imprisonment and sent to a reformatory; but he declared that he was innocent of the offence of which he was convicted. When he regained his liberty he had no means of obtaining an honest livelihood, and he soon reverted to his old evil practices, but it was only within the last three or four years that he joined a gang of housebreakers, who chiefly directed their attention to what are called "portico" robberies. The prisoner stated that on the night of the murder he and a man named Galbraith, a third man, and • woman started on an expedition of this character, the woman being with them to keep watch. It appears that they were to take the work by turns, and it was the turn of the culprit to attempt to enter the next house that they intended to rob. In consequence of this the prisoner had in his posses. non a small sharp crowbar or "jemmy," and it was with this instrument that the fatal injury was inflicted. Campbell said he made a stab at the arm of the deceased for the purpose of making him loose his companion, but he missed his aim and struck him in the face. The culprit was a Roman Catholic, and was attended by the Rev. Mr. Batt, a priest, who remained with him until the last moment. On Monday the prisoner wrote a letter to his mother, the only relative who had visited him since his conviction, in which letter he expressed his sorrow for the crime he had committed, and an earnest hope that his fate would be a warning to his two brothers and sisters. Mr. (}p, the representative of the High Sheriff, attended on the prisoner shortly before eight o'clock, and the culprit was shortly afterwards pinioned. At this time he expressed his sorrow for the act he had committed, and a hope that be would be pardoned by God. He shook hands with Captain BCGorrey, the governor of the prison, and the warders who had had him in charge, and thanked them for their kindness towards him. He knelt down when placed under the beam, and appeared to pray fervently for a minute or two. The platform shortly afterwards fell, and after two or three convulsive struggles he appeared to be dead.  Mr Burnand has written a burlesque for the St. James l'heatre.  Mr. Swinbarne ham quite recovered from his re. A' ilt indisposition. "Apple Blosssoms" is the title of Mr. Albery's new comedy, in rehearsal at the Vaudeville Theatre. " Der Letzto Babenberger," a dramatic poem by Herr Raimund Nowak, has been very successful at Ohnutz.  It is announced that a poem by Professor Long. Fellow will appear in the May number of the Atlantic Monthly, The death is announced of Prof. Ruckert, of Jena, well known for his labours in the exegesis of the New Testament.  A second edition of Dr. Ginsbtug's book on the Moabite Stone is in preparation, with additions to !he iwesent time. PRINCE ARTHUR'S MAaOßlTY.—Thecoming of age of hisßoyal Highness Prince Arthur will, it's understood, be celeb rated by Her Majesty and the Royal Family with co nsiderable rejocings at Osborne on the Ist of May. Clirectimn HER lIAJESTT'S