WINCHESTER
WE DO NOT EXAGGERATE when we state, that more than two thousand persons, principally rustics, were drawn to Winchester for the purpose of witnessing the execution of Eyres and Kemish, a respite of which arrived the day previously. Many of the parties came from a considerable distance—some from Farnham, 27 miles N.E. of Winchester —others from Christchurch, 35 miles S.W.—and others from Ringwood, Andover, Alton, Petersfield, and Portsmouth; but more especially from the neighbourhood of Romsey. Up to this time (Friday night), the wretched men have made no acknowledgment of their guilt, and buoy up their spirits with the hope that they shall obtain a reprieve.
Hampshire Independent - Saturday 27 Match 1852
THE EXECUTION OF EYRES AND KEMISH.—The news of the respite of these unhappy men for fourteen days, which we noticed in last week's Independent had not reached many rural districts in sufficient time to prevent several hundreds of persons from coming to the ‟Hang Fair,” as an execution is called by the country folks. As early as six o'clock many persons had taken up what they considered good positions to see the expected sight, and their numbers were augmented for some time by fresh arrivals who, though told to the contrary, would scarcely believe but that the men would die. However, at last, as there was no gallows, nor anything else to be seen on the top of the gaol, they slowly left, and we were glad to see that many of them employed their holiday in examining the contents of the Museum, and we do not think that there was one of the whole number but must have been better for the disappointment. Though more came from the farthest part of the New Forest, troops of boys from Southampton, and other persons (including many females) on foot, from all parts of the county. A few came by rail, but the great majority must have had a weary walk home on Saturday night. It appears that th men sentenced to die, though thankful for the respite, have but little anxiety about their awful situation, and eat and drink as usual. The authorities hold themselves in readiness to carry out the sentence of execution on Saturday next, the 3rd of April, as, from the enquiries since made, both by the learned Judge who tried them and the Chaplain of the Gaol—who have both visited the scene of the murder of Mr. Soffe, at Romsey, with the special object of testing, by actual observation, the testimony given at the trial—there appears to be no reason to doubt the prisoners’ guilt.