A FENIAN ALARM.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1138, 22 February 1884, Page 3

A FENIAN ALARM.

The day after O’Don'iell’s execution vehicles containing contingents of Flintshire constables came dashing through the vil’age of Hawarden at a furious pace from the Qneens f erry radwav station, much to the surmise and alarm of the inhabitants. The firs* par y to anive was Inspector Applin, fr >m Khyl, who was accompanied by two po’ice constables. Wh hout waiting to walk up the hill from the station to Hawarden village, the inspector secured a horse and vehicle and lefc immediately for Hawarden Castle, only a mile and a-half dis ant. By the next tiam stopning at Qaeen«feny there arrived half-a dozen morn constables, all or whom left in the same lurried way. The men prof, ssed to have no knowledge whatever of the purpire tor which they had been severally called off their beats. The telegraph had, however, where necessary, been brought into requisition, m u being instructed to proceed to Hawarden Castle with the least possible delay. Mr Peter Brown, chief constable of the county himself arrived and drove off to the castle. When he reached Hawa den be found himself in command of at least a dozen men, ail of whom were armed with six-barrelled revolvers besides their staves. Detective Wh'lhers. who is a residen in the village, th n, in the absence of the Premier, held a conference with the chief constab'e of Flintshire, and the men were dispersed about the castle ami along the various avenues from H (warden. During the night a most careful watch was maintained by patiols In the meantime most painful rumours we r e cm rent in Hawarden. It was declared that 'he Premier’s life had been threatened, that Invinciblea were coming d wn from London to murder him, and teat he had been removed secretly to a place of grea'er safety. As a fact, Mr Gladstone had been seen to leave the castle at dusk in a carriage shortly after the arrival of Inspector Applin and his two men. The inspector ha tim me 1 lately divided his forces, leaving one man in charge of the castle and taking a conveyance and the other constable with him for the protection of the Premier. Mr irladstnne did not return to the castle for the night., hnt it now appears he left on a visit to Mr John Scott, honker, at Luughten Hall, Mortoop, about three miles distant from Hawarden and the same from HolyI well.