Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1885 — SENTENCED FOR LIFE [ARTICLE]

SENTENCED FOR LIFE

Burton and Cunningham, the Irish Dynamiters, Convicted and Condemned. The Two Prisoners Protest Against Their Conviction and Bravely Face Their Fate. [Cable dispatch from London.] The trial of Cunningham and Burton at the Old Bailey has been brought to a conclusion. The court-room was crowded with people to hear the Judge’s charge and to see the termination of the case. Among the notables present were the Lord Mayor and United States Minister Ph- Ips. There were many ladies in the room. The prisoners wore an anxious look and followed Judge Hawkins’ charge with intense interest. The drift of the charge was clerrly against the prisoners. Mr. Phelps sat beside Justice Hawkins while he was sentencing Cunningham and Burton. Justice Hawkins, in charging the jury, said the prisoners had been ably defended and that their trial had been fairly conducted. In sentencing the prisoners, Justice Hawkins said that they had been convicted of a crime as bad, wicked, and cruel as had ever entered the heart of man. The jury then retired. They remained out not longer than fifteen minutes and returned with a verdict of guilty against both prisoners. The deep sdence following the announcement of the verdict was broken by the Clerk, who said: “Prisoners, you are found guilty of treasonfelony. Have you anything to say?” Immediately Cunn ngham, with flashing eyes, and in a sharp, harsh tone, almost defiant, made a speech. Leaning forward, he vigorously protested his innocence. He thanked his counsel and friends, and concluded his remarks with the bitter exclamation: "You may destroy my body, but it is impossible for you to hurt my ■oul!’’ Next Burton rose, nervously, and spoke in more collected and bitter language than Cunningham. and with some dignity. He also protested his innocence. “English prejudice,” he said, “sends me to eternal punishment.” The Judge then, with stern look, and much impressiveness of manner, am d nrotound silence, sentenced the prisoners to penal servitude for life. Theo stillne.-s yielded to applause, which the attendants vainly attempted to suppress. Cunningham and Burton maintained a cheerful appearance after being taken back to Newgate Prison, and chatted freely with the warden. They still insist that they are innocent, but say that the verdict and sentence are no more than they expected, especially after the Judge’s charge, rs it was evident the court was organized to convict.

Tho Crime. The crime for which Burton and Cunningham have been convicted and sentenced was complicity in the recent Tower and Parliament House explosions in London. The trial excited much public interest. Daily the Crim nal Court-room in the Old Bailey was densely packed with spectators. So great was the crush, and so much was an attempt to rescue the prisoners feared, that only those having passes from the proper authorities were admitted to the court-room. Irishmen Indignant. [New York special.] Irishmen in this city express surprise and indignation over the conviction and sentence of Cunningham and Burton. Patrick Ford said: ‘‘The evidence was entirely in favor of the prisoners, and I did not believe that even an English jury would dare convict upon it.” O’Donovan Rossa said: “I am not much surprised at the convict on of the prisoners, for I know English juries well; but I am surprised at the sentence. The Judge must have been thoroughly satisfied of the falsity of the verdict when they failed to hang Cunningham and Burton.” . James G. Cunningham, alias Dalton, alias Gilbert, was until recently a resident of this city. Some years ago he was employed for a considerable time at the Morgan Docks. Cunningham is about 23 years old. He is a native of County Cork, and came to America about five years ago. He has two brotrers and three sisters residing .in this city at present.