EXECUTION OF THE BUSHRANGERS CLARKES, AT SYDNEY

Colonist, Volume X, Issue 743, 12 July 1867, Page 3

EXECUTION OF THE BUSHRANGERS CLARKES, AT SYDNEY

The Empire of the 26th June says:—Thos. and John Clark were executed together within the precincts of Darlinghurat Gaol, yesterday, a few minutes past 9 o'clock, in the presence of about one hundr,d and twenty spectators, and a l!irge detachment of city police The execution was conducted in a very prompt and brief manner. The procession was formed exactly at 9 o'clock. Thomas Clarke was accompanied by the Key Father John Dwyer, and John Clarke by the Rev Father O'Farrell. The prayers said by the clergymen were in a low tone. Both prisoners walked with their heads bowed down, and with their eyes partially closed. They looked very careworn and much dejected. They paid no attention to the presence of so many spectators, upon whomi they did not so much as cast one look. Their minds seemed to be fully absorbed in meditation and prayer. On arriving at the foot of the gallows they both knelt briefly in prayer. The Rev Father Dwyer then proceeded up the ladder to the scaffold, fol-

lowed by Thomas and John Clarke, and the Hey Father O'Farrell. The prisoners, especially John, manifested slight trepidation. John was placed to the left of his brother. When the rope was adjusted on John's neck he looked momentarily at his brother, whose eyes remained closed. The rope was then adjusted round Thomas' neck. A few more prayers—very brief, were said, when the KevFather.Dwyer took Thomas' left and John's right hand, bid them farewell, and left them. The Rev Father O'Farrell held the crosa to each of their lips; and both kissed it—their eyes being dosed. Both clergymen having departed, the hangman placed a white cap over each of the culprits' faces and drew the bolt. Both fell suddenly to a depth of nine feet—their necks were dislocated—and- they died instantly without a struggle, and without any perceptible muscular spasm. There are some facts in connection with these two executed criminals deserving of notice. It is well known that their solicitor, '■' Mr. Joseph Leary, spared no personal effort in defending them, and in endeavoring to procure a mitigation of their sentence. He procured two very eminent counsel at their trial; and when sentence was passed, moved, the full court in arrest of judgment. Failing in this he went personally on Thursday and had an interview with his Excellency's private secretary, and pleaded ably for mercy, especially for John Clarke. Feeling that it; would be necessary to submit his case in writing he drew up an elaborate statement, which his Excellency placed specially before the Executive Council on Monday. There was a full meeting of the council— the ■ further report of the Chief Justice, and the opinions of the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General being considered with Mr. Leary's statement. The result of a most anxious deliberation, however, was that the two criminals should be left to their fate.