The Gibbet on Attercliffe Common
George Drabble, who kept the Arrow public house, which was situated 'about 250 yards nearer Attercliffe than Carbrook Hall', gave an account of the arrival and suspension of Broughton:
During the whole of Sunday, hundreds of people visited the spot to view the post, which was made in the Nursery, and fixed on Saturday, the day of Broughton's execution. At eight o'clock the common was like a fair; a messenger having arrived announcing that the body was within a few miles, caused great numbers to linger late on the spot.
Drabble, who had not been to bed since the first sod was dug for the post, during which time, night and day, his house was crammed with people, about one o'clock on Monday morning, hit upon an idea to clear the pub so he could get some rest. He shouted outside through the back window, "A fight ! a fight ! " which was the signal for a general rush. In less than three minutes, the public house was cleared! Drabble secured the door and went to bed. After about half an hour, the cart containing Broughton arrived, and a post-chaise with the officials, who stopped at the door.
Drabble was called up, and he immediately led them across the common some 200 yards, to the post, with a lantern and candle. In the cart with the body was a ladder, rope, and pulley. Upon hoisting the body up, it was found that the ring at the top of the irons was too thick for the hook in the post; it was again let down into the cart, and held upon its legs - Drabble assisted, while the man at the top filed the hook, which did not take him more than a few minutes, and on the second try it went on.
All the men returned to the Arrow, and a good breakfast was prepared for the four who brought the body.
The gibbet-post, which was the last put up in Yorkshire, with the irons, the skull, a few other bones and rags, was standing as late as 1827 or 1828, when it was taken down.
Drabble, who afterwards kept the Green Dragon, at Attercliffe, used to say that whatever crimes Broughton might have committed before he was hung, he certainly helped sales at the Arrow, he never looked back
When the gibbet had been up about a month, a respectable middle-aged female called at the Arrow, and sat at the window a considerable time, appearing to be distressed. It was thought, from the description given, that she was Broughton's wife.
Source: Criminal Chronology of York Castle By William Knipe
