Souvenir Napkins were issued
Birkett's family had tried to get him a reprieve and his mother had even written to the Queen asking for clemency for her son, as she was widowed and depended on him as he was the "breadwinner". Just as there was great sympathy for Alice's family, equally there was much sympathy for Arthur's mother and family. Indeed the Beetham and Birkett families had made their peace with each other, as they had both suffered terrible bereavements. A service was held at the Birkett house at the time of his execution, (8am) and several hundred people gathered outside the house.
Arthur had written a touching letter to his family shortly before his execution. He told them that he was glad that he was going as he couldn't bear to live now that Alice had gone. He had not wanted to face life imprisonment, as he had enough of prison, during his remand.
Souvenir napkins were issued to commemorate the event showing a photograph of Alice, a short account of the tragedy and a poem about death. This was produced by the Palatine Printing Company of Wigan. They also issued similar napkins to commemorate other tragic events such as a pit disaster in Wigan in 1910 and the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
Diana Rushton
Introduction
"There's only one girl for me..."
"You look crammed... what's to do?"
"She died almost instantly"
Birkett found guilty of murder
Souvenir napkins were sold
Alice Beetham
Arthur Birkett
Jubilee Mill
Account of the Murder by relation of Alice Beetham: Louise McGarry
Newspaper Reports
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