CHAPTERCLXVIII.AFFECTING FAREWELL LETTERS&C., FROM PEACE TO HIS WIFE AND FAMILY.Peace, for a criminal, was a voluminous letter-writer, and after he had been sentenced to death no restriction whatever was placed upon his writing proclivities, and he indulged them to the full. When weary of writing himself, he enlisted the assistance of one of his warders, who penned at his dictation.More than a week previous to his execution, Peace conceived the notion of writing a farewell letter to his wife, to each of his children and relatives, and to some of his friends, and of handing them to the chaplain when he was on the scaffold that he might post them for him.He employed his time in writing or dictating these letters, and in a few days he had sixteen completed. He then handed them to the chaplain, who posted them as requested.The following letters were addressed by Peace to his relatives:—“From C. Peace. H. M. Prison, Leeds,Feb.25, 1879.“My Dear Dear Wife I have been A bace bad man to thee for many years O Dear if I had taken thy advice may years ago this would not have befallen me I need not ask for thy forgiveness for I know that thow hast already forgiven me for all I have done to them and my Dear I do not only forgive thee but I forgive all Persons for I have not any ill feeling against any Living Person. O my Dear wife I do pray to Almighty God for thee and I do hope that he will prosper thee in all thy doings and bring them to the kingdom of Heaven at the last where I hope that thou wilt meet me at the last. So O My Dear Lass do not forget that our next meeting Place I hope will be in heaven. So do not forget to Prepare thy self to come.“My Dear wife I do send you the coppy of some verses that I made when our Dear little John Died and I was at Woking Prison (Nov.26, 1871, John died)“They told me gently he was deadMy Dar and lovely childThey led me to the lonely graveWhear lay my Darling boyWhen they laid thee in this silent graveI was A convict boundBut now I am free to meet and prayOn this thy sacred groundGreat God in Pity look on meAnd take my life awayAnd turn my body cold as clayAnd lay me with My boyBut hark me thinks I hear a voiceIt is my lovely childHark me thinks I hear him sayI am not fit to dieThou chides me well My once loved oneAnd tells me what I amI am not to live or dieI am such a wretched manSo lay and Sleep My once Loved oneAnd I will live and PraySo fare thee well My Darling boyI’ll meet thee in the sky“O My Dear Wife how can I say good bye to thee for ever but I must say it so.“Good bye Good bye and may my God bless and bring thee to heaven at the last. Good bye for I am gone there.”Later on Peace wrote a second letter to his wife, as follows:—“From Charles Peace“H. M. Prison Leeds TuesdayFebe25, 1879to My Dear Wife“I think that this is a true view of how I stand in this world in the first Place my sentence was Life and with me having ben three in Penerservitue I could not having got my freedom aney more so that I should have to die a misserbel death in Prison at the end. I mite have lived 20 year or more and have died in Prison at the last So my Dear wife I do think that me and you and my children hought to think that it will be for the best of my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will hear my Prayers and for give me my sins and receive my Poor Soul into the Kingdom of Heaven. So think of this and tray to meet me thear oll you my Dear frinds I am husband and farther.“Charles Peace.“God bless you all.”On Tuesday morning after the convict had breakfasted he had a few minutes to spare before being introduced to Marwood, and he employed them in writing the following letters—the last he wrote:—“From Leeds.“H. M. Prison thuesday feb. 25, 1879.“O my Dear wife and famerly I tel you this Grat Joy that I could not tel you yesterday for I could not I have not no fear now for it is all ded up as to ware I am going to I am going to Heaven or to the place ware the good go to that die in the Lord to wate in the Place appointed by God for the good to waite until the resurrection of the dead go do not forget our meeting Place is in Heaven so do come at the last and you will find me thear this letter is wrote 25 minits be fore I do die so I must know say good bye to all so good bye and God bless you all for I am gon to heaven.“Charles Peace.”To his wife he also sent a very beautifully illuminated card. In the centre of a floral wreath was the following:—“The Lord bless thee, and help thee: The Lord make His face to shine for ever upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”On the back of the card the condemned man wrote:—“My Dear Wife this was sent to me bye a Lady from Hull and as she wishes to me I do wish to thee My Dear wife so good bye for I am gone to Heaven.“Charles Peace.”He also sent her a quarto copy of “The Old, Old Story.” It was in two parts—(1) The Story Wanted; (2) The Story Told; with the author’s music. On the last page he had written:—“My Dear Wife, This was sent from London from a Lady at a prayer meeting, where prayers were offered up for me at Eaton-square, London, for to bring before thy poor husband’s face his Saviour, finding him a poor lost sinner, and to bring him to his fold, where I also hope thou wilt be brought.“Charles Peace.”LETTER,&C., TO HIS DAUGHTER.The following is a copy of the convict’s letter to his daughter.“From Charles Peace H M Prison Leeds“tuesday feb 25 1879“O My Dear Jane Ann, My Dear child I send thee this letter from the scaffold, so O my Dear child do act up to it all through thy Life so that thou may bring thy Soul to the Kingdom of Heaven at the last ware I hope that thou will meet Me never to Part from Me no more, So My Dear child do above all things in this world Pray earnestly and continually to that only Great and Powerful God who will bless and Protect thee through Life and bring thee to Heaven at the last so my Dear Dear child Let me beg of thee not to fret for me no more then thou can help for it will do no one any good to fret so.“My Dear child the Darling of my heart I am now compeled to say to thee for ever and ever Farewell for in a few moments time I shall be dead.“So may the Lord Bless thee and thy baby and prosper you both and bring you to the Kingdom of Heaven at the last good bye good bye and God bless you—Your Farther,“Charles Peace.“Good bye good bye I am gone to Heaven.”To Mrs. Bolsover he also sent a photograph, representing the crucifixion, and underneath, in the same handwriting as on the other photograph, is the following; “This man has done nothing amiss. He was wounded for our trangressions.” On the back of the card, Peace wrote:—“For Jane Ann.—My dear child, this was sent from London from a Lady at the prayer meeting in Eaton-square for to bring before thy poor father’s face his dying Saviour that died to save him from his sins. And My Dear Child I hope it will bring thee from thine.—To My Dear Child.“Good bye, for I am gone.”LETTER,&C., TO WILLIE WARD.To his stepson, Willie Ward, Peace sent the following letter. Those sent to his wife and daughter were in his own handwriting; the first part of the following letter was written at his dictation:—“From Charles Peace.“H.M.Prison, Leeds, Tuesday,Feb.25, 1879.“My dear Son,“I now write to you my last dying wishes and request, that you will take a warning by poor me, and live happy and comfortable with your dear mother. I have handed this to my chaplain when upon the scaffold, and a moment before I die. Oh, let me beg of you in my last moments to give yourself to God, to try and walk in the narrow path that leadeth to eternal life. And may the Great God in His mercy pardon all your sins. And may we all meet in the end at the Right Hand in Glory. I have sincerely prayed to the Great and all powerful God to forgive me all my sins as I freely forgive all who may have sinned against me that those few lines may have their desired effect upon you and that we may all meet in Heaven is the Dying Prayer of your dying father.“My Dear boy do do all that is wright in the sight of God and man and do not forgate that we have fixed upon our meeting place to be Heaven so I must say good bye good bye and may God bless thee My boy.“Good bye good bye I am gone.”To his son he also sent a photograph of a painting representing our Saviour as the Good Shepherd. He has a crown of thorns on his head; no shoes on his feet; in His right hand He has the shepherd’s crook, and on His left shoulder He carries a lamb, with which He is returning from the wilderness to the fold. Underneath, written in capitals, is the following:—“The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” On the back of the card Peace wrote:—“My Dear Child this was sent from London from a Lady at a Prayer meeting where Prayers was offered up for me at Eaton-square, London, for to bring before thy poor father’s face his Saviour finding him a lost sinner and to bring him to his fold and I also hope my son that he will bring thee to his fold.“For William Peace good bye my Dear son for I am gone there.”LETTERS TO HIS SON-IN-LAW.The latter part of the following letter only is in the handwriting of the convict:—“From Charles Peace.“H.M.Prison, Leeds, Tuesday, 25thFeb., 1875.“My dear son Bolsover.—This is my last letter here upon earth. Let me beg of you to take my dreadful end as a warning. May it be the cause of your leading a godly, righteous, and sober life, so that, in the end you may obtain life everlasting. It is the last advice I can ever give to you, for when you receive this I shall be dead. This is handed to the chaplain upon the scaffold for you. May it have its desired effect upon you. I wish you prosperity. May you escape all the accidents to which your profession endangers you. May you live a long and happy life, and at the last, when you are put in the balance, God grant that you may not be found wanting, but that we may all meet at His right hand in glory, there to part no more, is the dying prayer of your poor father, Charles Peace.“So I must say Good bye good bye and may God bless thee for I am gone to Heaven. Good bye.“Charles Peace.”LETTER FROM MRS. THOMPSON.“Tuesday,Feb.10, 1879.“Dear Charley,—Why is it, after all my anxiety and trouble to come to see you after your especial desire to see me, and your letter yesterday, asking me to come at once, and now you don’t see me? What have I done to not merit to see you? You have turned to me in all your troubles since I have known you. Is it because your relations have been? They had the first chance. Or were your feelings too much overcome. I pity you much. I sincerely thank you for your second letter you sent by the governor to read to me. I do forgive you all as you ask me, as I hope to be forgiven. I shall for ever cherish the small scrap of paper torn from your long letter which the governor so kindly gave me in Armley Gaol. As you blame me for all that is being done, in regard to letters and in the papers, let me tell you I am not to blame. How could I have information that you had written to Hannah and Bolsover? You know, dearest, they are no friends of mine, and it is best known to themselves if they were unkindly treated when they came to my house. Had I have been in their position, I would not have come; but that is past. You cannot leave this world without seeing me again. You know I have been faithful and true to you if I have other faults. Now one word—clear your conscience of everything before it is too late.”Across this letter was written the following lines, said to have been Peace’s own composition:—“And while his heartO can the heart grow cold?False ones, the tales that in this world are toldSwell in his voice.He knows not where to end,Like one discouraging an absent friend.”On an enclosure addressed to Governor Keene was written “Please give the enclosed to my poor John.”The convict, absurd as it seems, was of a poetical turn, and he was very fond of reading and reciting poetry. Indeed, he had a weakness for versification, and had in his time written many a jingling rhyme. One of his favourite compositions that he was wont to declaim began with the lines:—“Lion-hearted I’ve lived,And when my time comesLion-hearted I’ll die.”When news of Peace’s arrest, reached the inmates of the house at 5, Evelina-road, Peckham, the Dyson letters, so called, were given by Mrs. Thompson to Willie Ward to burn. Both Hannah Peace and the woman Thompson were in a terrible flutter, as the house contained things that would get them into trouble should the police search the premises. The letters entrusted to Willie Ward were with two or three exceptions all burned, the women foolishly thinking their existence might tend to the incrimination of Peace. This fact was well known to the detectives, it is said. The letters in question destroyed, in whosoever’s handwriting they were, are stated to have contained requests for money, and their contents were not such as could have been written by a pure-minded person.The Central News special correspondent at Leeds wrote that Mrs. Thompson had again made her appearance in Leeds. She was seen at the Post-office. She asserted her faith that she would see Peace before he died. She again wrote to him, as follows:—“15thFeb., 1879.“To the Governor of Armley Gaol.“Sir,-Will you kindly oblige me by giving the enclosed to Charles Peace?—Yours,&c.,S. Thompson.”The following was the enclosure:—“To Charles Peace, Armley Gaol, Leeds.“Saturday, Feb 15, 1879.“My own dear Jack,—What do you mean by turning against me—I who have cared for you? What must I believe? Hannah is admitted to see you as your wife, and you have most solemnly swore to me that she was not. When you and I went to Hull you told her you would and should marry me, as I alone should be your wife, as you could not part with me. Oh, why am I to suffer like this? It is killing me. I am prevented from seeing you, and am pointed at in the streets, ‘Here comes Mrs. Thompson.’ Have I deserved this? You would not have gone out had you have taken my advice upon the 9th of October [the date of his arrest.] It is most terrible that I am not allowed to see you. All your people are doing all they can to prevent me doing so. The magistrates’ committee say I cannot unless you ask for me. John, darling, I must see you once again upon this earth. Darling, remember the last time I saw you. You turned back a second time to kiss me. Oh, I do upon my knees implore of you to see me. I am watched and hunted to death. Is this not fearful? I do not imagine this, this time eight months ago, that I should have gained such notoriety in the world’s history. John, do write me under cover to my solicitor. This is killing me. I have not a friend to whom I can turn upon earth. I cannot write more, for my heart is well-nigh broken. What must I, what shall I do? God bless you.“YoursSue.“Oh, you have spoken harshly to me many times, but, then, when your temper has cooled down, you have come to me. John, Charley, let me see you. I freely forgive you what you ask me in your last letter. I cannot write more. Do ask to see me, John.“Your own,Sue.”A letter was sent by Mrs. Thompson’s solicitor, to the Home Secretary, on 13thFeb., which after stating the result of Mrs. Thompson’s application to the Leeds Justices, states certain particulars as a reason why Mrs. Thompson should be allowed an interview with the convict. It is understood that the request had been refused by Mr. Cross.PEACE AND HIS INVENTION.The “Central News” special reporter at Leeds said the convict pointedly denied, that Mr. Brion ever knew or learned anything in respect of the invention for raising sunken vessels, except what he (Peace) imparted to him. He charged Mr. Brion with ingratitude in the matter, and said that when that individual first received a hint of the plan, he did not rest content until he had got possession of all the details of the invention. Peace’s method for raising sunken ships was to close their hatchways, ports, and any large leaks, and to force air into the hold, a simple trap or valve allowing the water to escape as the air was forced in. He purchased a small model steamer, and having taken out the engines and boilers, altered her to suit his purpose, and attached one of his valves and India-rubber tubing connnected wiih an air pump to the deck. A wooden tank about 7 feet long, 3 or 4 feet wide, and the same in depth was made, and this was filled with water in order to enable Peace to carry on his experiments. The model boat was also on several occasions sunk to the bottom of the Thames, and raised again by Peace’s apparatus, a select party of his own and Mr. Brion’s friends being present to witness these experiments.VISIT OF MR. BRION TO THE CONVICT.The “Central News” special reporter at Leeds telegraphed on Thursday: Mr. Brion, of 22, Philip-road, Peckham Rye, arrived in Leeds to-day about two o’clock. He went to the Town Hall, where he was at once provided with a pass admitting him to see Peace. He immediately took a cab and drove to the gaol, which he reached about half past two o’clock. On entering, he saw Mr. Keene, the governor, who took him to Peace’s cell. The greeting between the two men was not over-cordial. Mr. Brion told him the object of his visit was to get a renewal of the statement that he (Brion knew nothing about Peace, the convict’s past career, or that he was other than what he represented himself to be, namely, a retired gentleman.) Peace said that such was the case, and he called those present to witness that Mr. Brion knew nothing about his doings; and the sole cause of the frequent visits to his house was in connection with the invention of raising sunken ships. Peace then asked a number of questions in respect to the Evelina-road house, and what disposition had been made of the effects therein. Mr. Brion told him that so far as he knew everything had been carried off and disposed of, Mrs. Thompson and Hannah having divided the proceeds. He also expressed himself as willing to turn over to anyone whom Peace should name all the plans and papers belonging to him in his possession. This appeared to please Peace, and he became more communicative. He said he was prepared to meet his fate, and that he should send letters from the scaffold to many of his relatives and friends. He professed the greatest esteem for Mr. Brion, and bade him good bye with a considerable show of feeling, saying that the latter should hear from him again. Mr. Brion returned to London by the ten o’clock train.LETTER TO MR. GOODLAD.Peace was a staunch friend as well as an implacable enemy. Two of his oldest friends were Mr. George Goodlad and Mr. Cragg, and he was much disappointed when he was informed that they could not be permitted to see him at Armley. He promised to write to them both, and he kept his word, Amongst the batch of letters handed to the chaplain on Tuesday morning was the following:—“From Charles PeaceH.M.prison. Leeds, Tuesday,25th February, 1879.“My dear friend George Goodlad, I send you this letter from the scaffold. It is handed to my chaplain when upon the scaffold to send to you. So I hope you will take A. warning from my most fearful fate. You and me have known each other A great number of years, you choose An honest industrious way through life, but I choose the one of dishonesty, villainy, and sin. So my dear friend do take a warning by me for the remainder of your life. I die with the hope that God as heard my prayers and forgiven my many sins, and that in a few moments I may be at his right hand in glory, where I hope we shall all meet at the last Great day. That God may bless and prosper you and your dear Wife and Son and the workmen in your shop and all enquiring friends is the dying prayer of“YoursCharles Peace.“Good-bye and bless you all Good bye.“Mr. George Goodlad, pianist at Milners Concert rooms, and picture gallery off West-bar, Sheffield.”PEACE PREPARES HIS OWN FUNERAL CARD.At the interview that Peace had with his wife he told her he would prepare a funeral card commemorative of his own death. He said he would endeavour to have it ready to give her when she paid the final visit to his cell. He reminded her of the monument at home, made by himself, and said if she liked she might put it on that.When he came to do the card he found that his eyesight had failed him; that his hand had somewhat forgot its cunning; and he was unable to complete it. It is the half-finished design of a tombstone, with a floral wreath across the top. In the centre is the following:—INMEMORYOFCHARLES PEACE,WHO WAS EXECUTED INARMLEY PRISON,Tuesday,Feb.25,1879. Age 47.FOR THAT I DON BUT NEVERINTENDED—The lettering is in capitals, and occupies about half the card. On the other half the convict intended to have written some lines, but he was unable to do so. He gave it to his wife on Monday, with expressions of regret that he had not been able to complete it.LETTER TO PEACE FROM AN OLD CONVICT.The following letter was sent to Peace, and by him handed over to his family on Monday. The original had the signature of the writer in full:—“Saturday morning, ½ past 1 o’clock.“My Dear Friend,—You will I trust Pardon Me for Breaking in and Intruding upon you Now at this Most Awfull and Most Solemn time—Most awfull Because you and Me are about to Leave—I may if it be the Will of God Leave this Earthly Tabernacle off before you (this Perishing world for Ever—Luke 21.33), But we Must Both Stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ Dear Friend Your position is fearful Here—But what will it be then. How Shall we appear Before the Judgement Seat of Christ—For I too Dear Friend have a fellow Creatures Life then to answere for and it may be More than One—my Life and yours here as indeed been a Life of Sin and crime O that it had been Otherwise—But We Can Do Nothing—or Recall the Past—But Blessed be God He Has Shewed both you and Me a Way of Escaping all Bitter torments for the future—Yes only one Way John 14ch6v3ch14 to 18 verses Isaiah 1-18 57ch15v66ch2 verse Matthew 11.23 Psalm 146.3 verse Matthew 10.23—Ah My Dear Friend Many there are that Shew a Cold Shoulder to us Now May God have Compassion and Shew them Mercy for Jesus Christ’s Sake—Yes our friends or Most of them in the time of trouble Desert us—But there is a friend that Sticketh Closer than a Brother Proverbs 18.24 and He that Best of all Friends has told me and you to call upon Him in the time of trouble and He will Deliver us—I beg of you Dear Friend to Listen to the Chaplin May God Reward and Bless his Endeavours to bring you to understand your Position—these few Remaining Days I beseach you to Spend in Prayer—and in the Reading of Gods Most Holy Ward—I have indeed found very Great Comfort by Reading that Sacred Volume after asking our Heavenly Fathers forgiveness of the Past—and to open My Eyes to the Blessed truths Contained therein—and I have found in times Past in a Prison Cell that Peace which the World Cannot Give—twenty five years of My Past Life have I spent in Prison—But to be with you Now Dear Friend I would very Gladly Spend five years more—Shall I tell you why Dear Friend Because you and Me are by ourselves Lost—But Jesus Christ Says I came to Seek and to Save that which was Lost—only trust Him He will Save you—Have faith in God. May the Almighty and Merciful God forgive all Our Sins and Grant You and Me a Place in his Kingdom at the Right Hand of Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate is the Ernest Prayer of Your Friend“W. O.“Mile End Road London.“Farewell Dear Friend I do so much want to Me you in Heaven. Do Come Mercys Door is open for us and Gods hand is Stretched out Still.”FROM A LITTLE GIRL.The following is a copy of another letter sent to Peace, and on it he wrote, “this was sent to me bye a little girl”:—“Jesus Christ says He came ‘to seek and to save that which was lost.’ ‘I came not to call the righteous butsinnersto repentance.’ When he was dying he prayed for those who killed Him. ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,’ and now Jesus, Our Lord is in Heaven praying to God foryou. He died on the cross foryou, because he loves you and ‘wills not the death of a sinner but rather that all should come unto him and have Everlasting Life.“Oh, don’t think you are too great a sinner for Jesus to save. He is ready and willing ‘to save to the uttermostallwho come to him.’ He is longing for younowto believe in Him, and be safefor ever. He has promised ‘Him that cometh unto me I will inno wisecast out,’ and all you have to do is to repent and ask God to forgive your sins for Christ’s sake. We have no need of doing that; we have all sinned and grieved our loving Saviour many times.“Then think of what follows after this life.Everlastingbliss and happiness with Jesus. But if you refuse to come and be washed in the Blood of the Lamb it is awful to think of what follows—aneverlastingpain in hell with devils and damned spirits where ‘the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.’“Oh, don’t let such an awful fate be yours—you can prevent it if you will. When Jesus is readynow, this minute, to save you, why do you delay?“What keeps you back?“A man in the Bible wanted to be saved, but he did not know how to say a long prayer, so he just said, ‘Lord, have mercy upon me;’ and God heard him and answered his prayer. Oh, may God helpyou, and may you be able to really believe that Jesus loves you, and is waiting to save you.“We will all pray for you that for our Saviour’s sake you may be saved, and we shall then meet you in heaven with Jesus.“February 10th, 1879.”TELEGRAM FROM IRELAND.On the 22ndinst.the convict received the following telegram from “M. J., Londonderry, to Charles Peace, Armley Prison, Leeds. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.”When the telegram was handed to Peace he read it, and said—“This is from Kate Dyson’s sister. Her initials are ‘M. J.,’ and I’ll be bound she has sent it.” The message seemed to give him a good deal of pleasure; but the impression is that he was wrong as to where it came from.
Peace, for a criminal, was a voluminous letter-writer, and after he had been sentenced to death no restriction whatever was placed upon his writing proclivities, and he indulged them to the full. When weary of writing himself, he enlisted the assistance of one of his warders, who penned at his dictation.
More than a week previous to his execution, Peace conceived the notion of writing a farewell letter to his wife, to each of his children and relatives, and to some of his friends, and of handing them to the chaplain when he was on the scaffold that he might post them for him.
He employed his time in writing or dictating these letters, and in a few days he had sixteen completed. He then handed them to the chaplain, who posted them as requested.
The following letters were addressed by Peace to his relatives:—
“From C. Peace. H. M. Prison, Leeds,Feb.25, 1879.
“My Dear Dear Wife I have been A bace bad man to thee for many years O Dear if I had taken thy advice may years ago this would not have befallen me I need not ask for thy forgiveness for I know that thow hast already forgiven me for all I have done to them and my Dear I do not only forgive thee but I forgive all Persons for I have not any ill feeling against any Living Person. O my Dear wife I do pray to Almighty God for thee and I do hope that he will prosper thee in all thy doings and bring them to the kingdom of Heaven at the last where I hope that thou wilt meet me at the last. So O My Dear Lass do not forget that our next meeting Place I hope will be in heaven. So do not forget to Prepare thy self to come.
“My Dear wife I do send you the coppy of some verses that I made when our Dear little John Died and I was at Woking Prison (Nov.26, 1871, John died)
“They told me gently he was deadMy Dar and lovely childThey led me to the lonely graveWhear lay my Darling boyWhen they laid thee in this silent graveI was A convict boundBut now I am free to meet and prayOn this thy sacred groundGreat God in Pity look on meAnd take my life awayAnd turn my body cold as clayAnd lay me with My boyBut hark me thinks I hear a voiceIt is my lovely childHark me thinks I hear him sayI am not fit to dieThou chides me well My once loved oneAnd tells me what I amI am not to live or dieI am such a wretched manSo lay and Sleep My once Loved oneAnd I will live and PraySo fare thee well My Darling boyI’ll meet thee in the sky
“They told me gently he was deadMy Dar and lovely childThey led me to the lonely graveWhear lay my Darling boyWhen they laid thee in this silent graveI was A convict boundBut now I am free to meet and prayOn this thy sacred groundGreat God in Pity look on meAnd take my life awayAnd turn my body cold as clayAnd lay me with My boyBut hark me thinks I hear a voiceIt is my lovely childHark me thinks I hear him sayI am not fit to dieThou chides me well My once loved oneAnd tells me what I amI am not to live or dieI am such a wretched manSo lay and Sleep My once Loved oneAnd I will live and PraySo fare thee well My Darling boyI’ll meet thee in the sky
“They told me gently he was deadMy Dar and lovely childThey led me to the lonely graveWhear lay my Darling boy
“They told me gently he was dead
My Dar and lovely child
They led me to the lonely grave
Whear lay my Darling boy
When they laid thee in this silent graveI was A convict boundBut now I am free to meet and prayOn this thy sacred ground
When they laid thee in this silent grave
I was A convict bound
But now I am free to meet and pray
On this thy sacred ground
Great God in Pity look on meAnd take my life awayAnd turn my body cold as clayAnd lay me with My boy
Great God in Pity look on me
And take my life away
And turn my body cold as clay
And lay me with My boy
But hark me thinks I hear a voiceIt is my lovely childHark me thinks I hear him sayI am not fit to die
But hark me thinks I hear a voice
It is my lovely child
Hark me thinks I hear him say
I am not fit to die
Thou chides me well My once loved oneAnd tells me what I amI am not to live or dieI am such a wretched man
Thou chides me well My once loved one
And tells me what I am
I am not to live or die
I am such a wretched man
So lay and Sleep My once Loved oneAnd I will live and PraySo fare thee well My Darling boyI’ll meet thee in the sky
So lay and Sleep My once Loved one
And I will live and Pray
So fare thee well My Darling boy
I’ll meet thee in the sky
“O My Dear Wife how can I say good bye to thee for ever but I must say it so.
“Good bye Good bye and may my God bless and bring thee to heaven at the last. Good bye for I am gone there.”
Later on Peace wrote a second letter to his wife, as follows:—
“From Charles Peace“H. M. Prison Leeds TuesdayFebe25, 1879to My Dear Wife
“I think that this is a true view of how I stand in this world in the first Place my sentence was Life and with me having ben three in Penerservitue I could not having got my freedom aney more so that I should have to die a misserbel death in Prison at the end. I mite have lived 20 year or more and have died in Prison at the last So my Dear wife I do think that me and you and my children hought to think that it will be for the best of my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will hear my Prayers and for give me my sins and receive my Poor Soul into the Kingdom of Heaven. So think of this and tray to meet me thear oll you my Dear frinds I am husband and farther.
“Charles Peace.
“God bless you all.”
On Tuesday morning after the convict had breakfasted he had a few minutes to spare before being introduced to Marwood, and he employed them in writing the following letters—the last he wrote:—
“From Leeds.“H. M. Prison thuesday feb. 25, 1879.
“O my Dear wife and famerly I tel you this Grat Joy that I could not tel you yesterday for I could not I have not no fear now for it is all ded up as to ware I am going to I am going to Heaven or to the place ware the good go to that die in the Lord to wate in the Place appointed by God for the good to waite until the resurrection of the dead go do not forget our meeting Place is in Heaven so do come at the last and you will find me thear this letter is wrote 25 minits be fore I do die so I must know say good bye to all so good bye and God bless you all for I am gon to heaven.
“Charles Peace.”
To his wife he also sent a very beautifully illuminated card. In the centre of a floral wreath was the following:—“The Lord bless thee, and help thee: The Lord make His face to shine for ever upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
On the back of the card the condemned man wrote:—
“My Dear Wife this was sent to me bye a Lady from Hull and as she wishes to me I do wish to thee My Dear wife so good bye for I am gone to Heaven.
“Charles Peace.”
He also sent her a quarto copy of “The Old, Old Story.” It was in two parts—(1) The Story Wanted; (2) The Story Told; with the author’s music. On the last page he had written:—
“My Dear Wife, This was sent from London from a Lady at a prayer meeting, where prayers were offered up for me at Eaton-square, London, for to bring before thy poor husband’s face his Saviour, finding him a poor lost sinner, and to bring him to his fold, where I also hope thou wilt be brought.
“Charles Peace.”
LETTER,&C., TO HIS DAUGHTER.
The following is a copy of the convict’s letter to his daughter.
“From Charles Peace H M Prison Leeds
“tuesday feb 25 1879
“O My Dear Jane Ann, My Dear child I send thee this letter from the scaffold, so O my Dear child do act up to it all through thy Life so that thou may bring thy Soul to the Kingdom of Heaven at the last ware I hope that thou will meet Me never to Part from Me no more, So My Dear child do above all things in this world Pray earnestly and continually to that only Great and Powerful God who will bless and Protect thee through Life and bring thee to Heaven at the last so my Dear Dear child Let me beg of thee not to fret for me no more then thou can help for it will do no one any good to fret so.
“My Dear child the Darling of my heart I am now compeled to say to thee for ever and ever Farewell for in a few moments time I shall be dead.
“So may the Lord Bless thee and thy baby and prosper you both and bring you to the Kingdom of Heaven at the last good bye good bye and God bless you—Your Farther,
“Charles Peace.
“Good bye good bye I am gone to Heaven.”
To Mrs. Bolsover he also sent a photograph, representing the crucifixion, and underneath, in the same handwriting as on the other photograph, is the following; “This man has done nothing amiss. He was wounded for our trangressions.” On the back of the card, Peace wrote:—
“For Jane Ann.—My dear child, this was sent from London from a Lady at the prayer meeting in Eaton-square for to bring before thy poor father’s face his dying Saviour that died to save him from his sins. And My Dear Child I hope it will bring thee from thine.—To My Dear Child.
“Good bye, for I am gone.”
LETTER,&C., TO WILLIE WARD.
To his stepson, Willie Ward, Peace sent the following letter. Those sent to his wife and daughter were in his own handwriting; the first part of the following letter was written at his dictation:—
“From Charles Peace.“H.M.Prison, Leeds, Tuesday,Feb.25, 1879.
“My dear Son,
“I now write to you my last dying wishes and request, that you will take a warning by poor me, and live happy and comfortable with your dear mother. I have handed this to my chaplain when upon the scaffold, and a moment before I die. Oh, let me beg of you in my last moments to give yourself to God, to try and walk in the narrow path that leadeth to eternal life. And may the Great God in His mercy pardon all your sins. And may we all meet in the end at the Right Hand in Glory. I have sincerely prayed to the Great and all powerful God to forgive me all my sins as I freely forgive all who may have sinned against me that those few lines may have their desired effect upon you and that we may all meet in Heaven is the Dying Prayer of your dying father.
“My Dear boy do do all that is wright in the sight of God and man and do not forgate that we have fixed upon our meeting place to be Heaven so I must say good bye good bye and may God bless thee My boy.
“Good bye good bye I am gone.”
To his son he also sent a photograph of a painting representing our Saviour as the Good Shepherd. He has a crown of thorns on his head; no shoes on his feet; in His right hand He has the shepherd’s crook, and on His left shoulder He carries a lamb, with which He is returning from the wilderness to the fold. Underneath, written in capitals, is the following:—“The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” On the back of the card Peace wrote:—
“My Dear Child this was sent from London from a Lady at a Prayer meeting where Prayers was offered up for me at Eaton-square, London, for to bring before thy poor father’s face his Saviour finding him a lost sinner and to bring him to his fold and I also hope my son that he will bring thee to his fold.
“For William Peace good bye my Dear son for I am gone there.”
LETTERS TO HIS SON-IN-LAW.
The latter part of the following letter only is in the handwriting of the convict:—
“From Charles Peace.“H.M.Prison, Leeds, Tuesday, 25thFeb., 1875.
“My dear son Bolsover.—This is my last letter here upon earth. Let me beg of you to take my dreadful end as a warning. May it be the cause of your leading a godly, righteous, and sober life, so that, in the end you may obtain life everlasting. It is the last advice I can ever give to you, for when you receive this I shall be dead. This is handed to the chaplain upon the scaffold for you. May it have its desired effect upon you. I wish you prosperity. May you escape all the accidents to which your profession endangers you. May you live a long and happy life, and at the last, when you are put in the balance, God grant that you may not be found wanting, but that we may all meet at His right hand in glory, there to part no more, is the dying prayer of your poor father, Charles Peace.
“So I must say Good bye good bye and may God bless thee for I am gone to Heaven. Good bye.
“Charles Peace.”
LETTER FROM MRS. THOMPSON.
“Tuesday,Feb.10, 1879.
“Dear Charley,—Why is it, after all my anxiety and trouble to come to see you after your especial desire to see me, and your letter yesterday, asking me to come at once, and now you don’t see me? What have I done to not merit to see you? You have turned to me in all your troubles since I have known you. Is it because your relations have been? They had the first chance. Or were your feelings too much overcome. I pity you much. I sincerely thank you for your second letter you sent by the governor to read to me. I do forgive you all as you ask me, as I hope to be forgiven. I shall for ever cherish the small scrap of paper torn from your long letter which the governor so kindly gave me in Armley Gaol. As you blame me for all that is being done, in regard to letters and in the papers, let me tell you I am not to blame. How could I have information that you had written to Hannah and Bolsover? You know, dearest, they are no friends of mine, and it is best known to themselves if they were unkindly treated when they came to my house. Had I have been in their position, I would not have come; but that is past. You cannot leave this world without seeing me again. You know I have been faithful and true to you if I have other faults. Now one word—clear your conscience of everything before it is too late.”
Across this letter was written the following lines, said to have been Peace’s own composition:—
“And while his heartO can the heart grow cold?False ones, the tales that in this world are toldSwell in his voice.He knows not where to end,Like one discouraging an absent friend.”
“And while his heartO can the heart grow cold?False ones, the tales that in this world are toldSwell in his voice.He knows not where to end,Like one discouraging an absent friend.”
“And while his heart
O can the heart grow cold?
False ones, the tales that in this world are told
Swell in his voice.
He knows not where to end,
Like one discouraging an absent friend.”
On an enclosure addressed to Governor Keene was written “Please give the enclosed to my poor John.”
The convict, absurd as it seems, was of a poetical turn, and he was very fond of reading and reciting poetry. Indeed, he had a weakness for versification, and had in his time written many a jingling rhyme. One of his favourite compositions that he was wont to declaim began with the lines:—
“Lion-hearted I’ve lived,And when my time comesLion-hearted I’ll die.”
“Lion-hearted I’ve lived,And when my time comesLion-hearted I’ll die.”
“Lion-hearted I’ve lived,
And when my time comes
Lion-hearted I’ll die.”
When news of Peace’s arrest, reached the inmates of the house at 5, Evelina-road, Peckham, the Dyson letters, so called, were given by Mrs. Thompson to Willie Ward to burn. Both Hannah Peace and the woman Thompson were in a terrible flutter, as the house contained things that would get them into trouble should the police search the premises. The letters entrusted to Willie Ward were with two or three exceptions all burned, the women foolishly thinking their existence might tend to the incrimination of Peace. This fact was well known to the detectives, it is said. The letters in question destroyed, in whosoever’s handwriting they were, are stated to have contained requests for money, and their contents were not such as could have been written by a pure-minded person.
The Central News special correspondent at Leeds wrote that Mrs. Thompson had again made her appearance in Leeds. She was seen at the Post-office. She asserted her faith that she would see Peace before he died. She again wrote to him, as follows:—
“15thFeb., 1879.
“To the Governor of Armley Gaol.
“Sir,-Will you kindly oblige me by giving the enclosed to Charles Peace?—Yours,&c.,S. Thompson.”
The following was the enclosure:—
“To Charles Peace, Armley Gaol, Leeds.
“Saturday, Feb 15, 1879.
“My own dear Jack,—What do you mean by turning against me—I who have cared for you? What must I believe? Hannah is admitted to see you as your wife, and you have most solemnly swore to me that she was not. When you and I went to Hull you told her you would and should marry me, as I alone should be your wife, as you could not part with me. Oh, why am I to suffer like this? It is killing me. I am prevented from seeing you, and am pointed at in the streets, ‘Here comes Mrs. Thompson.’ Have I deserved this? You would not have gone out had you have taken my advice upon the 9th of October [the date of his arrest.] It is most terrible that I am not allowed to see you. All your people are doing all they can to prevent me doing so. The magistrates’ committee say I cannot unless you ask for me. John, darling, I must see you once again upon this earth. Darling, remember the last time I saw you. You turned back a second time to kiss me. Oh, I do upon my knees implore of you to see me. I am watched and hunted to death. Is this not fearful? I do not imagine this, this time eight months ago, that I should have gained such notoriety in the world’s history. John, do write me under cover to my solicitor. This is killing me. I have not a friend to whom I can turn upon earth. I cannot write more, for my heart is well-nigh broken. What must I, what shall I do? God bless you.
“YoursSue.
“Oh, you have spoken harshly to me many times, but, then, when your temper has cooled down, you have come to me. John, Charley, let me see you. I freely forgive you what you ask me in your last letter. I cannot write more. Do ask to see me, John.
“Your own,Sue.”
A letter was sent by Mrs. Thompson’s solicitor, to the Home Secretary, on 13thFeb., which after stating the result of Mrs. Thompson’s application to the Leeds Justices, states certain particulars as a reason why Mrs. Thompson should be allowed an interview with the convict. It is understood that the request had been refused by Mr. Cross.
PEACE AND HIS INVENTION.
The “Central News” special reporter at Leeds said the convict pointedly denied, that Mr. Brion ever knew or learned anything in respect of the invention for raising sunken vessels, except what he (Peace) imparted to him. He charged Mr. Brion with ingratitude in the matter, and said that when that individual first received a hint of the plan, he did not rest content until he had got possession of all the details of the invention. Peace’s method for raising sunken ships was to close their hatchways, ports, and any large leaks, and to force air into the hold, a simple trap or valve allowing the water to escape as the air was forced in. He purchased a small model steamer, and having taken out the engines and boilers, altered her to suit his purpose, and attached one of his valves and India-rubber tubing connnected wiih an air pump to the deck. A wooden tank about 7 feet long, 3 or 4 feet wide, and the same in depth was made, and this was filled with water in order to enable Peace to carry on his experiments. The model boat was also on several occasions sunk to the bottom of the Thames, and raised again by Peace’s apparatus, a select party of his own and Mr. Brion’s friends being present to witness these experiments.
VISIT OF MR. BRION TO THE CONVICT.
The “Central News” special reporter at Leeds telegraphed on Thursday: Mr. Brion, of 22, Philip-road, Peckham Rye, arrived in Leeds to-day about two o’clock. He went to the Town Hall, where he was at once provided with a pass admitting him to see Peace. He immediately took a cab and drove to the gaol, which he reached about half past two o’clock. On entering, he saw Mr. Keene, the governor, who took him to Peace’s cell. The greeting between the two men was not over-cordial. Mr. Brion told him the object of his visit was to get a renewal of the statement that he (Brion knew nothing about Peace, the convict’s past career, or that he was other than what he represented himself to be, namely, a retired gentleman.) Peace said that such was the case, and he called those present to witness that Mr. Brion knew nothing about his doings; and the sole cause of the frequent visits to his house was in connection with the invention of raising sunken ships. Peace then asked a number of questions in respect to the Evelina-road house, and what disposition had been made of the effects therein. Mr. Brion told him that so far as he knew everything had been carried off and disposed of, Mrs. Thompson and Hannah having divided the proceeds. He also expressed himself as willing to turn over to anyone whom Peace should name all the plans and papers belonging to him in his possession. This appeared to please Peace, and he became more communicative. He said he was prepared to meet his fate, and that he should send letters from the scaffold to many of his relatives and friends. He professed the greatest esteem for Mr. Brion, and bade him good bye with a considerable show of feeling, saying that the latter should hear from him again. Mr. Brion returned to London by the ten o’clock train.
LETTER TO MR. GOODLAD.
Peace was a staunch friend as well as an implacable enemy. Two of his oldest friends were Mr. George Goodlad and Mr. Cragg, and he was much disappointed when he was informed that they could not be permitted to see him at Armley. He promised to write to them both, and he kept his word, Amongst the batch of letters handed to the chaplain on Tuesday morning was the following:—
“From Charles PeaceH.M.prison. Leeds, Tuesday,
25th February, 1879.
“My dear friend George Goodlad, I send you this letter from the scaffold. It is handed to my chaplain when upon the scaffold to send to you. So I hope you will take A. warning from my most fearful fate. You and me have known each other A great number of years, you choose An honest industrious way through life, but I choose the one of dishonesty, villainy, and sin. So my dear friend do take a warning by me for the remainder of your life. I die with the hope that God as heard my prayers and forgiven my many sins, and that in a few moments I may be at his right hand in glory, where I hope we shall all meet at the last Great day. That God may bless and prosper you and your dear Wife and Son and the workmen in your shop and all enquiring friends is the dying prayer of
“YoursCharles Peace.
“Good-bye and bless you all Good bye.
“Mr. George Goodlad, pianist at Milners Concert rooms, and picture gallery off West-bar, Sheffield.”
PEACE PREPARES HIS OWN FUNERAL CARD.
At the interview that Peace had with his wife he told her he would prepare a funeral card commemorative of his own death. He said he would endeavour to have it ready to give her when she paid the final visit to his cell. He reminded her of the monument at home, made by himself, and said if she liked she might put it on that.
When he came to do the card he found that his eyesight had failed him; that his hand had somewhat forgot its cunning; and he was unable to complete it. It is the half-finished design of a tombstone, with a floral wreath across the top. In the centre is the following:—
INMEMORYOFCHARLES PEACE,WHO WAS EXECUTED INARMLEY PRISON,Tuesday,Feb.25,1879. Age 47.FOR THAT I DON BUT NEVERINTENDED—
The lettering is in capitals, and occupies about half the card. On the other half the convict intended to have written some lines, but he was unable to do so. He gave it to his wife on Monday, with expressions of regret that he had not been able to complete it.
LETTER TO PEACE FROM AN OLD CONVICT.
The following letter was sent to Peace, and by him handed over to his family on Monday. The original had the signature of the writer in full:—
“Saturday morning, ½ past 1 o’clock.
“My Dear Friend,—You will I trust Pardon Me for Breaking in and Intruding upon you Now at this Most Awfull and Most Solemn time—Most awfull Because you and Me are about to Leave—I may if it be the Will of God Leave this Earthly Tabernacle off before you (this Perishing world for Ever—Luke 21.33), But we Must Both Stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ Dear Friend Your position is fearful Here—But what will it be then. How Shall we appear Before the Judgement Seat of Christ—For I too Dear Friend have a fellow Creatures Life then to answere for and it may be More than One—my Life and yours here as indeed been a Life of Sin and crime O that it had been Otherwise—But We Can Do Nothing—or Recall the Past—But Blessed be God He Has Shewed both you and Me a Way of Escaping all Bitter torments for the future—Yes only one Way John 14ch6v3ch14 to 18 verses Isaiah 1-18 57ch15v66ch2 verse Matthew 11.23 Psalm 146.3 verse Matthew 10.23—Ah My Dear Friend Many there are that Shew a Cold Shoulder to us Now May God have Compassion and Shew them Mercy for Jesus Christ’s Sake—Yes our friends or Most of them in the time of trouble Desert us—But there is a friend that Sticketh Closer than a Brother Proverbs 18.24 and He that Best of all Friends has told me and you to call upon Him in the time of trouble and He will Deliver us—I beg of you Dear Friend to Listen to the Chaplin May God Reward and Bless his Endeavours to bring you to understand your Position—these few Remaining Days I beseach you to Spend in Prayer—and in the Reading of Gods Most Holy Ward—I have indeed found very Great Comfort by Reading that Sacred Volume after asking our Heavenly Fathers forgiveness of the Past—and to open My Eyes to the Blessed truths Contained therein—and I have found in times Past in a Prison Cell that Peace which the World Cannot Give—twenty five years of My Past Life have I spent in Prison—But to be with you Now Dear Friend I would very Gladly Spend five years more—Shall I tell you why Dear Friend Because you and Me are by ourselves Lost—But Jesus Christ Says I came to Seek and to Save that which was Lost—only trust Him He will Save you—Have faith in God. May the Almighty and Merciful God forgive all Our Sins and Grant You and Me a Place in his Kingdom at the Right Hand of Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate is the Ernest Prayer of Your Friend
“W. O.“Mile End Road London.
“Farewell Dear Friend I do so much want to Me you in Heaven. Do Come Mercys Door is open for us and Gods hand is Stretched out Still.”
FROM A LITTLE GIRL.
The following is a copy of another letter sent to Peace, and on it he wrote, “this was sent to me bye a little girl”:—
“Jesus Christ says He came ‘to seek and to save that which was lost.’ ‘I came not to call the righteous butsinnersto repentance.’ When he was dying he prayed for those who killed Him. ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,’ and now Jesus, Our Lord is in Heaven praying to God foryou. He died on the cross foryou, because he loves you and ‘wills not the death of a sinner but rather that all should come unto him and have Everlasting Life.
“Oh, don’t think you are too great a sinner for Jesus to save. He is ready and willing ‘to save to the uttermostallwho come to him.’ He is longing for younowto believe in Him, and be safefor ever. He has promised ‘Him that cometh unto me I will inno wisecast out,’ and all you have to do is to repent and ask God to forgive your sins for Christ’s sake. We have no need of doing that; we have all sinned and grieved our loving Saviour many times.
“Then think of what follows after this life.Everlastingbliss and happiness with Jesus. But if you refuse to come and be washed in the Blood of the Lamb it is awful to think of what follows—aneverlastingpain in hell with devils and damned spirits where ‘the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.’
“Oh, don’t let such an awful fate be yours—you can prevent it if you will. When Jesus is readynow, this minute, to save you, why do you delay?
“What keeps you back?
“A man in the Bible wanted to be saved, but he did not know how to say a long prayer, so he just said, ‘Lord, have mercy upon me;’ and God heard him and answered his prayer. Oh, may God helpyou, and may you be able to really believe that Jesus loves you, and is waiting to save you.
“We will all pray for you that for our Saviour’s sake you may be saved, and we shall then meet you in heaven with Jesus.
“February 10th, 1879.”
TELEGRAM FROM IRELAND.
On the 22ndinst.the convict received the following telegram from “M. J., Londonderry, to Charles Peace, Armley Prison, Leeds. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.”
When the telegram was handed to Peace he read it, and said—“This is from Kate Dyson’s sister. Her initials are ‘M. J.,’ and I’ll be bound she has sent it.” The message seemed to give him a good deal of pleasure; but the impression is that he was wrong as to where it came from.