Date: May 21 1840

Connaught Journal
Printed and Published in Lower Cross-street by Barthw. O'FLAHERTY
Galway, Ireland
Thursday, May 21, 1840

Humane and Intrepid Conduct- Son Sunday evening last, between the hours of 9 and 10 o'clock, an alarm was raised by some countrymen in the vicinity of Barrington's bridge, that a female was drowning in the river Mulcair, which was heavily swollen from the rains of the preceding night. Their cries fortunately reached the ears of two young gentlemen, James and Joseph Wickham, sons of John Wickham, of Madeboy, who happened to be near the bridge, and immediately ran to the spot from whence the cries proceeded, where they beheld a female struggling in the stream, which was conveying her along with the greatest rapidity. One of the young gentlemen Mr. Joseph Wickham, instantly plunged , dressed as he was, into the torrent and swam to her assistance, and seized the unfortunate creature as she was sinking, but she in the death struggle grasped him by the neck, and both instantly sank to the bottom. In a few seconds, having succeeded while under water, in releasing himself from her grasp, he reappeared, supporting her on one arm and swimming with the other to the opposite shore, which with considerable difficulty, owing to the impetuosity of the current, he managed to reach; but there the eddy was so strong and deep, and the bank so steep and slippery, that both were in danger of perishing, when Mr. James Wickham, perceiving the imminent danger of his brother, plunged in, and swam to his assistance, when, by their united efforts, they contrived with considerable difficulty, to bring their burden to the land, apparently dead. She was immediately conveyed to the police barrack where she was received with the greatest humanity and every possible attention to being paid to her, she revived in the course of an hour, and she was then put into a bed, where she remains in a very precarious state, under the attendance of Doctor Heffernan, of Barrington's bridge. Her name is Judith Magrath, and she was on her way to her home near Castle Connell, when it is supposed that from the swollen state of the river, she had mistaken her path, and was precipitated into the water. She still remains insensible and unable to speak. The humane and intrepid conduct of those two gentlemen is certainly deserving of the highest praise.

SECOND VISIT OF THE VERY REV. MR. MATHEW TO LOUGHREA.

... In the evening the Loughrea Temperance Society gave a Soiree, to which the Rev. Mr. Mathew was invited. The Assembly Rooms contained about 500 persons and were crowded to excess. The temperance banner placed at the head of the tables, reflected the greatest credit upon the singular talents and exquisite taste of Mr. John O'Flaherty, our distinguished artist and townsman. Among the Ladies we recognized Mrs. P. Skerrit, Mrs. John Smyth, Mrs. Cloran, Mrs. M. Lynch, Mrs. T. Macklin, Mrs. Hoir, Mrs. L. Fahy, Miss Lynch, &c. Among the gentlemen Messrs. R. and J. M'Dermott, Ramore, Messrs. Paul and Henry Dolphin, Mrs. L. Fahy, T. M'Lin, A. Bandfield, James Lynch, Guy Armstrong and brothers, Mr. Hudson, John Lynch, T. Lynch, M. Coghlan, W. Mulkerrin, Esqrs. Dr. Hartnett, Messrs. Hensworth-Clergyman, Rev. Mr. Mathew, Mullony, Macklin, Fahy, Ford, Burke, Whelan, Agnew, Winter, &c.

LOUGHREA NUNNERY

On Monday last, two highly respectable young ladies, connected with many families of rank in this county, and daughters of the late Counsellor Dolphin of Turoe, took the veil, and are now sisters of the pious and exemplary community of the Loughrea Nunnery. The interesting ceremony of reception was performed by the venerable Catholic Bishop, Doctor Coen.

GALWAY PROVINCIAL BANK

The Directors of the above prosperous Establishment have it in contemplation to build immediately a beautiful and spacious house. The site selected is the waste plot at Eyresquare, adjoining the House and store of James Costello, Esq.

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The judgment of the House of Lords in the case of Persse v Persse, was erroneously given by the Sun newspaper, the fact being that their Lordships reversed the decree of the Irish Court of Chancery granted an injunction to prevent waste of the Castleboy estate, and an order to ascertain the extent of damage done, thus ruling in favour of Mr. Dudley Persse, and not for Mr. Robert Persse, as stated in the Sun's report.

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The remains of the late Lord Ashtown were interred on Wednesday at the family burial place adjoining the demesne of Woodlawn, Galway. The inheritor of the splendid property and title of this good nobleman, with his uncles, brother and cousins acted as chief mourners. The charitable bequests to the tenantry are magnificent.

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His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant has been pleased to approve of the appointment of John Caulfield, Esq. to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the Roscommon militia, vice Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd, deceased.

ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM CORK GAOL.
From our Correspondent

One of the most daring attempts at escape from prison was sought to be effected here, and was very nearly being achieved on Monday morning by Casey, the murderer of Constable Lawlor. It appears that when he learned the determination of Government to suffer the extreme penalty of the law to be carried into execution upon him and his guilty accomplice, Hartnett, he received it with great composure; but it was observed, that from that period he refused to see his spiritual adviser, the Rev. Mr. O'Sullivan, R.C., Chaplain of the goal, from which it might be inferred that he contemplated some desperate effort when the hope of pardon had vanished. His first proceeding was to effect the filing of the bolt of his cell, whilst the Governor and officers of the prison were attending divine service on Sunday last. It must be stated that his wife was permitted to see him subsequently to the dreadful announcement of his fate, and that she, in the most artful manner possible, conveyed the instrument, a file, which she concealed between the inner and outer sole of her shoes. The folding doors of the prisoners cells remained partially opened for the benefit of ventilation, and so exposed to a hand inside, a portion of the bolt lying across. The file was applied so effectively as to suit his purpose. He was locked up, as usual, the turnkey not perceiving from the outside the impression made on the bolt; and when all were retired to rest, Casey next directed his attention to the bar at the end of his stretcher, which he succeeded in breaking, and placing under the door in such a manner that by using pressure, he broke the bolt, already nearly filed through, and burst open the door. He not wound himself in the corridor of the yard, and next succeeded in breaking the lock of his comrade's (Hartnett) cell, and liberating him. Immediately in this situation he commenced operations on the angle bar of the corridor window, and with the assistance of Hartnett, succeeded in working it out. This afforded an exit so circumscribed, that he must have been forced through it by his comrade, who, being a larger and grosser man, could not follow him through the same aparture. The leg bolts, at this period, had been filed off both of them. When Casey got out he found that this window looked into the day-yard, only about five feet from him, but he had then to ascend a high wall, outside of which, however, is divided by a check gate with chevaux de freize. He effected the escalade, and dropped about six feet from the wall, down upon the chevaux de freize, over which he crept to another wall of about six feet, which he had to get over, and from which he dropped twenty feet into a place called the stone-yard, from the prisoners being employed at hard labour there in breaking stones. He then forced the lock of the stone-house, and brought therefrom several implements which he tied up with his blankets and essayed to hoist them over the main wall of the prison, in the hope of catching a grip at the other side. Matters were so far favourable, that he succeeded through the agency of this contrivance in reaching nearly to the top of this high wall, when, at this critical moment of his ascent, the prison bell rang for six o'clock, the hour when the prisoners must rise. Whether this circumstance had the effect of making him too hasty in pulling over his ligatures, or that struck with fear he delayed too long on their frail support they gave way when he was within arms length of the top and he fell off, receiving a severe injury of the leg, and suffering a loss of blood from the bruises inflicted in his descent. He, however, mustered strength to return to the stone-house, and conceal his blanket there. From thence he went to a water closet, and hid himself within it. Thither, in a short time, one of the servants came, and perceiving something white below, and that it moved, the alarm was given, and an officer procured an iron scraper, with which he struck violently several times before the unfortunate man cried out. He was then immediately captured, and replaced into custody.
A Board of the Gaol Committee assembled at once, and after the examination, the officers of the prison were accounted as not in the slightest degree inculpated in the transaction.
The unfortunate men, Casey and Hartnett, die on to-morrow (this day).

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT- On Wednesday last a very fine young woman, daughter of John Lynch of Chapel-street, Castlebar, while engaged in bathing some clothes in the river at the foot of her own garden, fell in, and was drowned. She was not missed by her friends for nearly two hours-when on search her body was discovered- life of course having for ever fled. We understand that the deceased was subject to occasional illness, and that she was probably thus visited at a moment when no one hand was near to rescue her from an early death. She was an exceedingly interesting young woman, aged about twenty, and by her propriety of conduct and sweetness of temper was much endeared by all who knew her.--Mayo Mercury.

Laying the first Stone of the Ballinrobe Union Workhouse.- This ceremonial was performed on Thursday last, by Valentine O'Connor Blake, Esq., D.L., the chairman of the Ballinrobe Board of Guardians. The site, which is admirably placed, contains four Irish acres, and was presented as a free gift to the union by Col. Nesbit Knox, of Castle Lacken, the proprietor of the town of Ballinrobe. Mr. Browne, the contractor for the building, having made the necessary preparations, presented Mr. O'Connor Blake with a trowel and hammer, when that gentleman executed the task assigned to him- having first placed in a cavity in the stone a series of the current coins of the realm and a temperance medal.

Awful Death- On Thursday the 14th instant, a man named M'Greal, shepherd to the Marquis of Sligo, residing near Delphi Lodge, on missing some lambs belonging to his flock, went to search of them. On ascending one of the neighbouring mountains, he discovered a fox's den, at the mouth of which lay some lambs heads, together with part of their skins. on stooping to examine them, a rock of immense size which overhung the den fell down, and buried him into the earth. The cries of his two favourite dogs, who were with him at the time, perceiving their master was killed, alarmed other shepherds who were on the mountain; on repairing to the spot, they there found the body of M'Greal, with one of the dogs lying on his feet. An inquest was held on his remains on the 16th, at Westport.- M'Greal was a young man of excellent character, and is much lamented by all who knew him- and particularly by his sister, whose only support he was. It is supposed his Lordship will take the loss she has sustained into consideration.

The St. James, from Killala, with emigrants for Quebec, has put into Cove, leaky.

Colonel M'Gregor, Inspector Gen. of Police, arrived at Loughrea on Thursday last, where he inspected the Constabulary Force, and expressed himself highly pleased at the orderly appearance and discipline of the men.

THE ARMY

On Friday, the 69th Rifle Depot from Galway arrived at Cork to embark for Portsmouth. Lieut. Browne , son of John Southwell Browne, Esq., Mount Browne, county Limerick, is Adjutant of the Depot.
Lieut.- Colonel Michell, who has been offered the Under Secretaryship, held by the late Captain Drummond, R.E is a brother of Lieutenant Colonel Michell, R.A. of Limerick garrison.
Saturday last the anniversary of the battle of Albuera where Marshal Beresford, defeated ?????. The troops distinguished in this hard fought decisive victory were the 3d Dragoon Guards; their present gallant Commanding Officer, Colonel Maunsell, having been then attached to the Regiment and throughout the Peninsular war; 4th Light Dragoons, 3d, 7th, 23d, 28th, 29th, 31st, 34th, 39th, 48th, 57th, 6?th and 66th.
Captain Drummond, late 93d succeeds to the Earldom of Perth and Milfort, by the death of his uncle, Cardinal Drummond, who died at Rome.
The 13th Light Dragoons, 11th, 15th, 54th, 1st Battalion 69th Rifles, and 72d Regts. will shortly be added to the strength of our military force in England and Ireland.
General M'Donald, who was so long detained prisoner in the Castle of San Joao de Foz at Oporto, has been liberated.
Major Malcom, 3d Light Dragoons, son of the late Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcom, arrived on Thursday, having under his charge the beautiful Persian gray horses from the Governor of Bombay, Sir James R. Carnse, for her Majesty.
The 19th are to remain in Dublin till August & then to embark from Kingstown harbour for Malta.
Lieutenant Chalmers, 22d Regiment, is about to get his company.
Colonel Rawdon, Coldstream Guards, has left Stanhope to canvass the electors of Armagh in the Whig interest, there being a vacancy by the appointment of Mr. Sergeant Curry to the office of Master in Chancery. The gallant Colonel has the interest of his stepson, Lord Cremorne.
Captain Peshall, Cape Rifles, was tried by court martial for excessive cruelty to his apprentice, and English girl, by handcuffing and flogging her, as a common soldier on the charge of having stolen salt.
Captain Mackenzie, of the New Brunswick militia, has been deprived of his commission by an order from the secretary of state, in consequence of certain representation of the commanding general relative to his proceedings.
The depot of the 18th has returned to Chatham from Tilbury Fort. This depot expects to embark for India in the ensuing month, to join the head quarters of the Regiment.
The Surgeoncy of the 70th Regiment is vacant by the death of Dr. W. Kemis.
Monday, the 60th Rifle Depot embarked at Cove in the Vesuvius steamer, Lieut. Blount, R.N for Portsmouth, having marched into Cork, on Sunday.
The 12th Lancers are, it is said, not likely now to come to Dublin. Prince George does not wish to leave England, and they have so many young horses they do not answer for Dublin.
Lord Tullamore, eldest son of the Earl of Charleville, has entered the army as Ensign in the 43d.
John Caulfield, Esq. is appointed Lieutenant-Colonel in the Roscommon Militia, vice Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd deceased.
Letters from Gibraltar left the troops on the Rock in good health the 8th of May.
A court-martial assembled at Cork. Lieut.-Colonel Townsend, 24th, President, for the trial of Serjeant Gibson, 60th, for desertion whilst stationed at Tipperary on the recruiting service. He was found guilty and sentenced to the ranks, and to be confined three months in solitary confinement.
Four and twenty of the 2d Rifle Brigade died since they went to Windsor, and the Regimental hospital is full. The officers were also seriously attacked.
A gentleman never in the army before, is appointed Riding Master to the Queen's Bays.
Prince Albert only intends to hold the Colonency of the 11th Hussars, until the more distinguished command of the Household troops shall turn in to his Royal Highness.
Private Charles Houran, Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion tried by general court martial for being drunk and riotous in the barrack, and striking Sergeant Macdonald and Rainey is sentenced to transportation for life.
The 5th Fusiliers will get the bear skin caps on the return of head-quarters from the Mediterranean, and the feather also, which is unusual.
Lieut.-Gen. Lord Keane, and Sir Henry Pottlinger, have arrived at Suez, from Bombay, en route to England, also Capt. Robinson, 16th Lancers.
Private Cambden, Royal Sappers and Miners, for striking a corporal of the same corps, is sentenced to 90 days of imprisonment in the House of Correction, Coldbath Fields.
The 53d return home from the Mediterranean without awaiting for a regiment to relieve them.
Government have allocated 75,000l to carry out this year, in part, the recommendations of the Naval and Military Commision.

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The Cork Board of Guardians have closed the Workhouse against any more admissions, the establishment already full.

Peter Boland of Carriganroe, Roscommon, was murdered on Monday by six men, one of whom is in custody.