Execution of Allen, Gould, & Larkin
At the New Bailey Prison, Manchester, on Saturday, November 23rd, charged with the Wilful Murder of Sergeant Brett, at Manchester, on September 18th, 1867.
This morning, Saturday, November 23rd, the three unfortunate convicts, Gould, Allen, and Larkin, suffered the extreme penalty of the law at the New Bailey prison, Manchester. Since their condemnation the culprits have behaved in a most exemplary manner, and have paid great attention to the Rev. gentlemen who attended them. They continued to declare their innocence to the last, and appeared to think themselves martyrs to a grand cause, and appeared quite ready for the event. The mob was very great, but not so large as it might have been, but for the precautions taken by the authorities, who had erected barricades about every thirty yards, and so prevented the great pressure that would have been. The prisoners were astir at an early hour, and partook of the holy communion, and at the appointed time. Calcraft, the executioner, was introduced, when the operation of pinioning was gone through. The prisoners the meanwhile showed wonderful confidence, and appeared to be the least concerned. They all shook hands together and affectionately embraced one another, and declared themselves ready. The mournful procession was then formed, and at once proceeded towards the scaffold, where on their appearance there was a slight manifestation of applause. Everything having been prepared, the ropes adjusted, the signal was given, and the unhappy men were launched into eternity. The prisoners appeared to die very easy.
You true friends of liberty, and sons of the Emerald Isle,
Attend with an ear of sympathy to what I now relate,
And to my sad story, I’d have you to list awhile,
Its of those poor unhappy men who now have met their fate;
Its Allen, Larkin, and Gould I mean, who of treason have convicted been,
Coupled with the crime of murder, for which we all deplore,
To the scaffold were condemned we see through struggling for liberty,
Of that poor unhappy country, the poor old shamrock shore.
Now its well known that Irishmen have oft upon the battle field,
Nobly fought our battles, against old England’s foes.
And with the hearts of lions have forced her enemies to yield;
But to friends they are warm-hearted, as all the world well knows.
Its but for their rights they crave, old Ireland’s honour for to save,
That has led to this calamity, for which we all deplore,
But by treachery they were betrayed, and these poor men have the forfeit paid,
And Allen, Gould, and Larkin, alas! are now no more.
It was at Manchester, as I now state, they sought their comrades to liberate,
And where is the man in such a state, would not have done the same?
Those poor men they were taken, for whom many hearts are aching,
For there is no one in reason their conduct can well blame.
It was in the midst of that strife, that poor Brett he lost his life,
That has caused the sons of Ireland most deeply to deplore,
And through that sad unhappy day, there’s many a pitying heart will say,
Poor Allen, Gould, and Larkin, alas! are now no more.
These men they were convicted, and by the judge was sentenced,
And for murder and treason they were condemned to die,
And left to meet their fate to the gaze of all spectators,
Tho’ that their lives would be spared it was the country’s cry.
To God I recommend them, in his mercy to defend them,
May their souls shine in glory upon that blessed shore,
Safe within his keeping where there will be no weeping,
Now Allen, Gould, and Larkin, alas! are now no more.
H. Disley, Printer, 57, High Street, St. Giles, London.