Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-05-20
The Lash.

The first of the spring whippings at New Gas.
Tie came OF ON Saturday, in the presence of the
usual motley crowd of spectators. One of the
clergyHlcn of our city was there to see the bar
barlty for himself with the intention, we trust.
of awakening the sluggish conscences of our
people to the enormity of this outrage on hu-
manity, in tho name of justice. Representatives
from the Bulletin and the Telegraph, of Phiadel-
phia, and the COMMERCIAL, were also present.
/ who, with the Sheriff and turnkeys. were proba,
bly, nearly all not drawn there by mere idle Curl
osity, or keen sense of enjoyment Philadel-
phia contributed one spectator-a burly fellow
who announced that he came on purpose to see
| 1t, and was waIm In his euogies OF this mode of
punishment. There was the usual number of
little boys, and several little girls.
On entering the Jail yard shortly after ten
| O'Clock, we caught our first glimpse of the new
poiy and post. 1t is a rough, substantial struc-
ture built on the model OF the old one, and looks
as though It were built to out-last the lifetime of
those by whose order it was erected. We won
der they did not have their names Inscribed upon
IT, TO perrctuate their fame. The cross bar oil the
new plllory appears TO us somewhat lower than
the old one, and though the plan would have al
lowed one OF the arms to have been made higher
than the other, to avoid unnecessary pain to tall
men who must stand much lower to thrust their
head and hands through the holes, both arms are
made OF the same hight, the object being, we
u.
also to preserve the symmetry OF the machine, and
its striking likeness to a cross
As we entered n colored man named John
Reeley and coloied boy named Aaron Conner
were standing in the pllory. They were taken
out ii O'Clock, and George W. Thompson, com
viced of horse stealing was brought out. He
was quite an old man. appeared very nfrm, and,
we were Informed by the jailor, had been suffer.
Ing with the rheumatism. He had a cloth wrap
ped about his neck to prevent the jagged edges
OT The Wppl from epr.tnhiner him nd 4 Il
way up the ladder onto the platform with much
difficulty and evident pain. Considerable time
was occupied in fixing his neck and arms 10 the
holes, and the Cloth had to be unwrappcd before
his neck would fit. He stood ID for some time
but in about half an hour his torture became so
great that the really kind hearted old jailor went
up and released one ofhis hands SO that the rheu-
matte arm could hang down ut his side. He
stood the rest of the hour with patience, and at
II O'Clock was taken out 10 await his turn at the
post.
According TO the old usages Of the town the
whipping should now have been Immediately
proceeded with, but 1t seems the Sheriff wanted
to foitify himself for his disgusting duty by
good dlnncr,so a recess was taken until o'clock
and the people were invited to leave the yard.
Long before O'Clock large crowd gathered
IN front of the gate eagerly awaiting renewal
OF tile scene. II waslarger than that of the morn
ing. In the midst OF it was noisy drunken man
who has frequently had to be quieted down by
our city police, and with him were bis two little
boys the sons of pious, loving mother, they
being brought by their drunken father to sec the
saow The gates were opened shortly after one
O'Clock, and, with the usual shout aud hurrab.
the crowd mshed In. Conspicuous amongst them
stood a drunken grey-haired loafer who sponges
around the hotels Of this city, who openly ex-
ulted in the suifcrlngs of the victims, and shouted
to the Sheriff to 'lay it on"
The first man brought out was John Wesley
Price, u bright munlto covicted of stealing
set OF harness from Mm. Brady. He had been
sentenced TO pay us restitution money S36, costs,
be whipped with twenty lashes, imprisoned one
year and wear conyict's jacket six months.
He WINGED some under the lash but gave no ex-
preston of pain. The cat was laid on little
heavier than Sheriff Richardson did last year.
He Is getting used to it we suppose.
john Bush, quite black man, was the next
one brought out. He had been convicted of
stealing a bull and two cows from Hugh Began.
He had been sentenced to pay $500 restitution
be imprisoned year,and whipped with 20 lashes.
tie received the logging with stoical indifference
aud appeared nrnnd of his pluck 40 ho back
to his cell.
The next was Aaron Conner, bright looking
colorcd boy, who pleaded guilty to an indictment
for assault and battery and attempt at rape on
little white girl whom he caught on her way to
school. There was quite feeling of exaspera-
tion against him. most people feeling that he had
got of very lightly through the natural shrink
ing OF the unfortunate child from appearing
against him. The impression is that he could
Court sentenced him TO pay fine Of $500, i'm
prsoned four years commencing the 18th instant
and ending the sh day of May, 1873, to stand
one hour IN the pillory, and to be whipped with
thirty lashcs.
The Sheriff shared the popular feeling against
him, and the lashes were well laid on indeed.
The boy twisted and writhei at the first but
made no cry. and when released ran off to jail
with many white score across his back and a
forced attempt ut laughter.
John Kelley. who had DrpyiOusy hpau n fha
pillory, was the next victim. He had broken in-
to Charles Jcffcrson's house in Delaware City and
stole several small articles anda bottle of whskey,
The liquor he attempted for convenience to carry
in his stomach. and so got no farther than
neighhoring barn where he was caught. He re-
ctlved twenty lashes and gaspcd convulsiyely
with pain at each blow, number of the by-stand-
ers laughing at his shrinking from the lash.
The next was John Peterson (coored) who
stole pig from Aaron johnson. He had been
sentenced to pay $40 restitution, be whipped,
with 20 lashes, imprisoned year, and wear
convict's jacket months He was q short stout
fellow, never WINGED, and as he left the post
that's what's the matter"
Morris L. Helms (white) who pleaded guilty Of
stealing some pork from Christian Ginder was
next whipped, receiving ~ lashes with great
composurc, and exciting openly expressed admi-
ration flom the by.sianders for his pluck.
Timothy Doran (whtc) convicted of stealing
ham from VIM. ii. Pierce next received 10 lashes
lightly laid on.
John Willis (white) who stole suit of clothes
from Edward Moore next received IL lashes, very
lightly laid on. He ran back to jail laughing
James Edwards, a tall, handsome young man
of about % or %, who pleaded guilty to stealing
some clothes was next brought out. He walked
with downcast eyes 10 the post, stood the 10
lashes with stole fottitude and walked slowly
back to Jail without SO much as looking around
him.
George W Thomson was next brought out. He
was convicted of stealing horse from Lewis Fl.
Lamborn, and sentenced TO thirty lashes. The
sheriff laid them on apparently quite lightly but
they started the blood through the trembling old
mans thin skin and as he walked feebly of to
JILL several drops were seen trickling down. He
Is very infrm and it is thought. by some, will
not live through his Imprisonment
With another shout tue crowd dispersed.