Pierrepoint by Steven Fielding Read Free Book Online Page B

a just one.
    As Christmas approached, Harry accepted an engagement closer to home when he assisted John Billington in the execution of Edmund Hall at Armley Gaol, Leeds. John Dalby, Hall’s father-in-law, lived alone at York. Hall had travelled over from Leeds to see him, and was seen being let into the house. Neighbours subsequently heard sounds of a struggle from next door and went to investigate. Dalby opened the door and collapsed. Hall appeared from inside the house, and – saying he would go for a doctor – leapt over the wall and vanished into the street. Dalby died in hospital later that same day, and Hall, who was known to one of the neighbours, was arrested at York station as he sat waiting for his train to pull out. He was sporting a gold watch and chain identified as one Dalby had been wearing earlier that day.
    The year had almost come to a close without Harry carrying out a single job as chief hangman, or ‘number one’ as they were known. But then he travelled across to Ireland in what was to be one of the strangest experiences of his career.
    John Flanagan had been missing from his home nearClones, Monaghan, since April 1903, and despite numerous searches there was no sign of his whereabouts. He had travelled into Clones carrying a large sum of money, to purchase items at the market. While in town he met up with Joseph Fee, a local butcher, who owed Flanagan £2 from a previous loan. Witnesses overheard Fee promise to repay the debt if Flanagan called at his house later that afternoon. When Flanagan’s disappearance was reported to the police, Fee was questioned but gave them no cause for suspicion.
    It was to be almost eight months later before the body of John Flanagan was discovered. Adjacent to Fee’s slaughterhouse was a large pile of manure, which police had decided was a public nuisance, and Fee was ordered to remove it. He instructed some colleagues to dispose of it but asked them to leave the last few barrow loads, as he wanted to use it on his garden. While they were removing the manure, the men noticed an old boot protruding from the pile and, digging further, unearthed the missing Flanagan. He had been battered to death with an axe.
    Fee was arrested and although there was only what could be termed circumstantial evidence against him he was sent for trial at Monaghan Spring Assizes in March 1904. The jury failed to reach a verdict and Fee was sent for a retrial at the summer assizes. Again no verdict was reached, and in November he was tried at the winter assizes at Belfast. This time the jury believed the prosecution’s version of events – that Fee murdered Flanagan for money and after stealing the £80 he had on him had buried Flanagan beneath the manure pile. The judge was clearly upset by the harrowing story, and was in tears as the black cap was draped on his wig.
    When asked why judgement of death should not be passed upon him, Fee said: ‘Well my Lord, the evidence is all lies.… I am not afraid to meet my death.… I am innocent.’ Fee wasto maintain his innocence throughout his time in the condemned cell.
    Harry was engaged to carry out the execution and copies of the appropriate paperwork were dispatched to him. The identity of the executioner was usually kept secret in Ireland, as it was often a perilous position, with crowds often having little regard for Englishmen who crossed the water to hang one of their own.
    Shortly after signing and sending the papers back to Armagh, Harry received a telegram on 14 December from the sheriff of Monaghan:
    Pierrepoint, 14 Cowgill, Clayton, nr Bradford – No reply; wire immediately. Sheriff Monaghan.
    Harry replied immediately, assuring the sheriff all was in order when two days later, on the 16th, he received a letter dated the 13th.
    Joseph Fee is to be executed at Armagh Prison on Thursday 22d inst, at eight o’clock a.m. You will be required to cross on Tuesday night 20th, and report yourself to the governor of the Prison, Armagh,