The Haslingden Gazette. — 1903-08-08 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

OOO. Sentenced to penal servitude for life, they made a desperate bid for liberty whilst detained at Newgate, and had. it not been for the clumsiness of a certain member of the gang. there was very little doubt at the time but that at least two of them would have got clear away. As it was, a misunderstanding led to the discovery of the plot and, on their removal to Pentonville Prison, each convict was placed in it specially-guarded cell, and subjected to extraordinary supervision. I convened with the junior member of this forging fraternity (Austen Byron Bidwell) at Chatham Prison some years later ; and then learned much of the private history of that remarkable prisoner. One little incident is worth recording here, as illustrating the proverbial nu-smoothness of the course of true litre. Bidwell was enamoured of a -young lady of great personal beauty. to whom he was subsequently married at the English Embassy in Scarcely had the nuptial knot been tied ere the " bolt from the blue " fell ; the fraudulent practices of the conspirators were suddenly discovered by a mere accident, and Bidwell, with his bride, fled to Cuba, from which " loophole of retreat " he looked forth and thought he cinda clef)' the limbs the law wisp were in pursuit a the gang. ~ • Ile had reckoned without his Lost ! A spteial extradition treaty was speedily passed, Cuba gave up the fugitives and the " Batik forgers " had to face the pitoc at the Old Bailey, with the re•igt niagnied above. Yearly nineteen years later, the still ardent lover was released by a special order of the Home Secretary (in consequence of a conspicuous net of bravery by which he saved the life of fellow-prisoner) and once more rejoined the wife of Ins young days ; but they were again separated, by death, shortly afterwards. Contemporaries with Bidwell at Chatham Prison, were the two Irish soldier's, O'Brien and McCarthy, who were also undergoing the dreadful " life " sentences, for an offence against military discipline committed in Dublin during the " Fenian agitation, in the " sixties.' I knew John O'Brien personally, and indeed, with Bidwell, we formed is kind of triumvirate which, one has good reason to believe, exercised an wholesome influence upon sowe fellowprisoners. Of McCarthy I saw but little whilst at Chatham. lie woo, however, a most quiet, inoffensive man, and his sad end recalled the very worst days of " the slaughter house," as that prison win then appropriately called. When the Irish prisoners were released it may be remembered that is public reception was given to them on their return to Dublin. The large building in which the meeting was held, was packed front floor to ceiling, and the greatest excitement prevailed amongst the vast audience. Poor McCarthy rose to his feet, in response to a call from the chair, and, having given a brief but pathetic account of his prison experiences at Chatham, was about to resume Ws seat when he fell dead upon the platform Sudden deaths, murders, suicides and mutila• lions were much more common in those days than they are now, an a more humane spirit has been infused into the administration of out prisons, but, even in these latter days, some tragic scenes are often witnessed by the inmates of all penal establishments.  and pounced upon the aggressor, who was at once taken to the punishment cells to await trial by the " Director," who always has power to deal with such cases. Warder M— only suffered from shock, and was soon able to resume Isis duties, whilst the convict was sentenced to 14 days bread and water diet, put in legsirons, I awl deprived of all " class " privileges for three months, in addition to which he forfeited 720 remission marks. The latter pent of the sentence slid not, however. affect the prisoner, as, within 12 mouths of the occurrence, and before he had completed three years of Lis original sentence, he w.s one day found dead in Lis cell—having committed suicide by cutting his throat. - - -----