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D20. 3, 1881
THE PENNY ILLUSTRATED PAPER ‘ ' 359
'lValli.ng‘ton, where he was living with Mr. and
Mrs. Clayton, and did not return until early
the following morning. He then told ‘his cousin
he had been to Sittingbourne.
Feb. 12, the day after Mr. Roper had been shot,
Lefroy in the afternoon again left Wallington, stating
that he was going to see his sister, Mrs. Briclcvrood,
at Southend, where he would stay till the Monday
following. us did go there and his extraordinary
conduct during the visit enables Mrs. Brickwood the
better to remember it. Throughout his stay he
betrayed an amount of excitement and nervousness
not usual with him. So restless was he that he could
not sleep at night, and his sister was obliged to go to
him in his bed-room. He then begged her to bolt all
doors and bar the windows, so as to make the house
secure. Mrs. Brickwood was so astonished at this
request, and at the general manner of her brother,
that she sat up for a. portion of the night to watch
U
Lefroy, in his interview with Mrs. Brickwood at
Lewes on Saturday, repeated to her his confession as
to the Roper murder. ‘he motive which, in con-
versation,he assigned for the crime was charac-
teristic of his acknowledged vanity. His story was
to the effect that, a few evenings before the murder,
as he was strolling in Pall-mall, he passed two gentle-
men, who wore standing outside a club-house, and
that he nverlicard them speak in disparaging terms
of Miss Violet Cameron, the actress, for whom he
had conceived an intense affection. .Ile imme-
diately remonstratcd with them for slandoring a..
lady whose friendship he had the honour to enjoy.
a nltexcition ensued, and one of the gentlemen
threatened him with summary punishment. Ilo
retorted with a. threat of legal proceedings, and
demanded his anta;v,or.ist's cord, which was ulti-
mately given him, on which born the name and
address of “ Lieutenant Roper, Royal Engineers.”
Such was Lt-froy’s explanation of the circumstances
under which he nmde his victiin‘s acquaintance, and
his statement of the provocation he considered he
had received. He also told his sister that on Feb. 11
he pnrcliased a revolver in the Strand; that he went
to Chatham and shot the man who had in the manner
(lGS( ivon him offence, and that he got back to
Nlhllington between three and four o’clock the next
morning. It maybe mentioned that, some little time
after the murder at Chatham, there was found cen-
coalcd undc-rLefroy’s bed a. set of false whiskers and
mousiacliins, a set quite different from the one pro-
duccd at the recent trial.
RUMOUR. RESPECTING TIIE ENGRAVER,
CLA .
The Governor of Lewes Jail has received a letter
from a lady at Boulogne stating that her husband,
Mr. S. Clarke. an engraver of -Liverpool, had been
mis. up: since the beginning of the year, and that a
convict named Forster, who was in prison -with
Lefroy. had been asked by him to search out "Mr.
Clarke's relatives. The only trace Mrs. Clarke has
had of her husband is a collar sent her by post, and
it is suggested that this may have been osted by
lmfroy. At any rate, it is a stmngevcoinci once that
while living in hiding at Stepney he-axsuniedthe
name of Clarke. A Liverpool telegram, however,
states that the inquiries made there fail -to‘sub-
stanriate any connection between Lefroy and‘ths
poison named Clar s.
NVITHDRAWAL OI? THE CONFESSION
OF LIEUT. ROPER'S MURDER.
Lefroy afterwards retractedhis statement respect-
ing his participation in the murder of “meat. ?Roper,
alleging that it was made in a fit of holluclnation, and
that there was no foundation for the story. 1'l‘ he
Chaplain of Lewes Jail caused the denial tobe sent to
the Home Secretary. The belief ‘was, it may "be
repeated, that the confemion of Lieut. Roper’s'
murder was arose to get the execution -postponed,
which might lead ‘to an eventual ‘reprieve. Dr.
Forbes Winslow had an interview with the ‘Home
Ollice authorities on Monday upon -the subject of
Left-oy’s state of mind. I
EXECUTION OF LEFROY AT LEWES.
so William Ilareourt on ‘Monday .ilnnlly decided
against granting any reprieve to Lefroy, Sir
Williom added that he could ‘see no reason why -the
law should not take its course. WVith respect to
Lefroy’s confession, the authorities, while not stating
definitely the actual emounlrof importance"they
attach to it, took the precaution of sending
Superintendent Coppinger, of Chatbam, to Lewes on
Monday afternoon, with instructions to obtain any
, further ' ‘ormation available with regard to the dis-
closures concerning Lieutenant Roper‘: murder.
Percy Lefroy Mapleton, or “ Lctroy,” as he has
been more generally named, was executed at Lewes
Jail on Tuesday morning for the murder of Mr. Isaac
Gold on the Brighton Iteilvvay on J une 27. ‘The
sentence of the law was carried out in the pre-
sence of the usual officials and a. few representatives
of the Press. Precautions had been taken to preserve
order and prevent any undue assemblage in the
immediate vicinity of the prison, but these proved
almost unnecessary, as but few persons were to be
seen round the prison gates when the black flag was
hoisted. The jail is situated on an eminence a short
distance from the town of Lewes, on the Brighton
road, and commands a fine View of the South Downs
and the valley of the Ouso as far as the harbour of
Newhaven. As the mist lifted on Tuesday morning
this beautiful panorama was unfolded to those whose
melancholy errand lay with one who would never see
the sun rise again in this mortal existence.
Since his final leave-taking with his friends
Lefroy had become dejected; and when all hope of
arespite had assed from his mind he appeared to
break down a most entirely. After the Chaplain‘s
visit last Monday night Lefroy seemed more resigned
than he had previously been. He passed a com-
paratively quiet night, and slept for several hours.
‘ucsl ay morning he appeared calm and resigned.
Ila rose shortly after six o'clock and was visited by
the Chaplain, who converaed and prayed with him
for some time. o condemned man then took a
light breakfast. No movement was made until a
quarter to nine, when the prison bell commenced
tolling, ringing out clear and sharp the last knell of
the condemned man '1‘ )0V8l'!)Dl' (Captain
Crickett), Deputy-Governor (Mr. l"arr),- and the
Under-Sheriff (Mr. Bull) then entered the con-
demned cell. Lefroy at the time was engaged with
the Chaplain in prayer. On the eprcscntatives of
the Press being admitted through the jail to the
north-east yard, they found Marwood waiting with
the pinioning straps in his hand.
-The con emned man made little or no sign of
showing an interest in the proceedings, appearing
to be in u half-dazed state. It took Marwood but a
very short time to complete this portion of his task.
so that at precisely one minute to nine the mournful
procession emerged from the prison, the Chaplain
reading the burial service in a loud but tremulous
voice. The sad cortigo was preceded by the Deputy-
Governor, followed by the Sheriff, two wardcrs sup-
rting the convict, Marwood, the prison doctor
E Fumer), and two nr three prison officials.
froy‘had a bluish, livid look, and it was evidently
with the greatest dilliculty that he was able to nerve
himselffnr the fearful ordeal. Ilo staggered rather
than ‘walked, although his legs were unbound, and
stared wildly from left to right from beneath his
drooping eyelids. Along the narrow stone walks
through ‘tho courtyards ‘the procession wended its
way to the scaffold.
Marwood at times put forth a hand to steady the
trembling wretch. who had the appearance of a pre-
maturely-wnrn old man. "lien pcarcrl to take no
interest in the burial service, an never once opened
or even moved his li s on the way to the drop in re-
spnnse to the Chap ain‘s reading. On reaching the
scaffold the worders held the condemned man whilst
Marwncd fastcucd hisbrmul leathern strap round the
convict's legs. In an instant more he pulled the
white cap over-'the wrctx.-lia-l man's face, the last cir-
ression seen on it being glm.=tly in the extreme, an
as if he were paralysoul. The Chaplain then turned
his back to the scaffold, moving away a distance of
about twenty feet to the right, whilst the Governor,
Sherid, and other ollicers ranged themselves in front
at about on equal distance from the drop. ‘he
reverend gentleman continued reading the‘Church
service, but without waiting now for the responses,
which never came. o
“Lord have mercy upon us; Christ have mercy
upon us!" the Chaplain cried in trembling tones.
f1‘he worders icft the ronvict's side, and Morwond
olono remained. supporting him by putting his right
hand .upnn efmy’s shoulder. At the last word of
the service the executioner slippedfrom the -mur-
derer's side, and before he vhml time to .give way
pulled the lover which launched Lefroy into eternity.
The body fall with a heavy thud that was echoed by
a murmur i‘roin'tho small asseniblyprescnt. -The
Chaplain was the ilrst‘to break the painful silence
which ensued by c ing " Amen ” in a c ear voice.
Marwood looked down into the pit after his victim,
and seemed satisfied with -his wot-k..for death, appo-
reutly, was instant.-menus. The convict novermoved
in the slightest, but hung like a Ieaden weight at the
end of the rope.
'1‘ 8l.)Oily, after hanging the usual hour, was out
down at ten o'clock by Morwood. The Coroner for
C-4
-East Sussex, Mr. Baxter, convened the jury in the
committee-room at the ‘jail at 10.20, the foreman
being: Mr. George 'I.nn;:rid,r;:-. The jurors then
proceeded to view the body, which was lying in an
elm coffin in the dc.-u]-room. The features werecalm,
save for the nbrmsion of the rope on the neck, a slight
breaking of the skin 'of the clienzk by the bangman's
10 Jmd brass ring used in lieu-of knot. and the
bluish colour of the face, the deceased migzht have
been mistaken for one asleep. The lower parts of the
neck and chest were white, whilst the fingers had it
natural appearance, soft and -rclaxul. Several of
the jurors felt the face and hands of the corpse,
which was pronounced in be still slightly warm.
The Governor and the oil physician gave the usual
legal testimony M to t e trial, exccution and death
of Lefmy, the doctor stating that death was in-
stantaneous. The jury returned a verdict in accord-
ance with the evidence. The convict’: body was
subsequently interred. in quick Lima in the grave
ready described.
:.....
EXECUTION OF THE PRESTON
MURDEBBB.
A young man named John Aspinal Simpson, who
was condemn to death at the last amizes at Man-
chester for the murder of a young woman at Preston,
was executed last Monday. ' .
W12 .i‘1l1'ish11mt.
.:.:.
TIIE I LAND BILL AND IRISH
MANUFACTURE.
J oumuzrrso through the rural districts in Ireland,
either by Rail or the national J aunting Car, the
observer cannot fail to be struck-and very forcibly-
with the once stately, but now ruinous, buildings
and decayedmoiseless millwheelstelling of a departed
prosperity, which meet his eye on almost every turn
of the road. These buildings some years back were
each centres of great commercial life ; and the little
tumbled-down villages near by, with an air of faded
prosperity still hanging round them, are sad monu-
ments ofadeparted golden age. -These mills onoe
teamed with busy life; manufactures of various sorts
were carried on in them, ‘bringingwvealth into the
country and giving labour ‘to almost every class.
The manufacture of paper was once a vast source of
income to the people ; nowu paper mill, with the
exception of one or two,‘is‘not‘to befound in the
country, and the industry is almost dead.
Largewoollcn and tweed factories at one time gave
employment to thousands of hands; now , such
factories are few and farbetween ; but, nevertheless,
the few that remain uphold the good character of
the home manufacture. And the question forces
itself upwards-why this sad decline? Tliisxleoay
in Irish manufactures was initiated by legal restric-
tions and heavy duties, both on the raw material and
on the manufactured article. 'l‘hcso 're.=trictions
developed a want of enterprise amongst speculators,
and in the lapse of years ca ital was drained 'from
the country and sent abro into more flourishin
fields;‘and today the In'sh'home speculator with
cnpllall and enterprise combined is scarcely to be
DUI] .
The consequence of the late Land Bill when’ fully
developed will 0 toleave a large amount of money
in the country which would othcrwise, I and used-in
formertimes, tobe sent abroad. And when this capitdl
becomes an established fact, peace -will.follow.pm-
sperify as a. natural . and ‘commercial
enterprise, with healthy speculation, will once more
bring back the good days of old The now tuml7led-
down ruins will be rebuilt, and the idle wheels be set
in motion; and when each man ‘has
country it will be his interest to be loyal.
TIIE ELECTRIC LIGIIT IN DUBLIN.
A company for the purpose of supplying the electric
light for public and private purposes has been estab-
ished on a substantial -basis ‘in ‘Dublin, ‘and ‘the
demand for shares’ tells well forths public belief . in
the light of the future.
ILLEGAL ‘DRILLING. .
iscven men have ‘been arrested at Dunmore, in the
county or -' Galway, for illegal drilling. 'On‘ in;;
brought before a magistrate they were retumed for
trial. It is feared that secret organisations will now
take the place of the goe, which will give
the Government more trouble and ‘the country more
cause for alarm than the League ever did .
TIIE COERCION ACT.
Arrests under ‘ the Coercion .Act still continue‘ in
almost every district, and-the
many lrishmen deprived of their liberty on‘ the
-very shadow of-a suspicion. lln this,‘ the latter en
of the nineteenth centuryyit-is a terrible thinv‘-to
imagine that even the most peaceful and law-abiding
can, upon the-me:-est whisper ofva revengeful. and
malicious policeman, be draggul from ‘his home and
his business and thrust into a ,prison -cell on
“ suspicion," without a chance or an opportunity to
clear his name before the world. -
BURGLARIES. ‘
The residence of Lord Viscount Gough, St.3Ilelens
Boolcrstown, in the county of Dublin, was enter
by burglars last week, ,nnd a. '1argeJainount‘cf
UST '
valuable property carried ad. -
Cnoooann is often very iamely adulternted. but every
cake bearing the name of Uansvnr is guaranteed to consist
o y of Pure Cocoa and white sugar, and is, therefore, the
moat wholesome and nutritious confection sold. Maker: to
the Queen,-[Aav-r.)
The lnorrnnus sale of lIcR!ilA‘5'l Pun Tn‘ by some
Agents (Chemists, arc.) at once testifies to the-high
approval it has realised for its oombinedly atrouz, delicious,
and iavicoraung qualities.-'-[Aavi-.)
Iiirrisncnumins -Kent, called Elie Gsrdcnvcf in -
n
‘2
L
rants. and Wine Store-. Iauuiactuxer, Thomas Grant,
Distiller, hlaidstona.-(Anvr.l
a stake inthe '
-mu