The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-05-22
The Whipping Post and Pillory.

ELkTON, MAY ~, 1868.
The Whipping Post and Pillory.
Little Delaware has succeeded in drawing
the eyes of the whole country on her lately,
by her semi-annual exhibition at the whip
ping post and pillory. The little Diamond
has been catching it from all quarters about
her summary mode of dealing with thieves
and other perpetrators of petty crimes. In
the exercise of her "peculiar institution"
Delaware justice pays no respect to color,
but lays the cat on black and white, with
the total disregard of the finer feelings of
the superior race. The Democracy of the
State is very radical in its impartiality to
age, color or condition, when brought to
the whipping-post by some petty larceny of
a loaf of bread or pair of breaches. By
running over the list of crimes which
brought their bare backed perpetrators I'M
der the terrible cato -nine-tails, we notice
that they are mostly of the petty order, and
we are inclined to think that Delaware JUS
tice, like that of most other States, while
it secures the small depredator, and makes
of him terror, indeed, to evildoers, the
big criminals break through and escape.
The sidol," as some of the reporters of
the press term the peculiar instruments of
punishment of the little State, having
grown old and dilapidated, a new whip
ping-post and pillory were erected at New
Castle, and in readiness to receive the Of
tenders of the majesty of Delaware law at
the recent term of court.
The following despatch to the Philadel-
phia Erening Telegraph of Saturday last,
gives list of the victims, who were to be
made acquainted with Delaware's peculiar
mode of treating petty criminals, with each
offenders sentence:
James Edwards, a gentlemanly- looking
white man, about twenty-five years of age,
who pleaded guilty to the larceny of an
overcoat, pair of pantaloons, and a pair
of boots, for which he is to pay double res
titution, receive fifteen lashes, and suffer
one years Imprisonment.
John Peterson, colored, who appropriated
pig, and had no defense to make for so
doing; sentenced to pay restitution, receive
twenty lashes, stay in Jail one year, and
wear convict's jacket for six months after
his release.
John Willis, white man, who pleaded
guilty to stealing suit of clothes, receives
twelve lashes, nine months in Jail, and
convict's jacket for six months after his
release.
Morris L. Helmes, a white man, who
pleaded guilty to the larceny of an assert
ment of bacon, valued at $1.20, for which
he receives the same punishment as the
preceding, with an additional fine of 81. 40
by way of restitution.
John Pierce, a gentleman of color, who
was found in possession of a set of harness,
but protested his innocence of having stolen
it, sentenced to pay double restitution. re-
ceive twenty lashes, stay in jail one year,
and be decorated with Convict Jacket for
six months after his release.
John Bush, white man, who admitted
that he drove off bull and two cows, for
doing which he has to pay $500 restitution,
receive twenty lashes, and suffer a years
imprisonment.
John Reeley, colored individual, who
was found in the possession of a lot of silver
spoons, an overcoat, shawl, and other wear
ing apparel, and for being so found pays
$500 restitution, stands in the pillory an
winds up with two years tenancy of New
Castle Jail.
Aaron Conner, a colored boy, who plead
ed guilty to assaulting white girl, with a
view of committing an outrage on her per-
son, and is sentenced to pay fine of $500,
stand one hour in the pillory, receive thirty
lashes, and suffer an Imprisonment of four
years.
George w. Thompson, a white man, who
stole horse and forgot to remove the hal
ter before he drove the animal off For
stealing the horse he was to pay $500 resti-
tuition, $500 fine, stand one hour in the pill
lory, and receive twenty lashes. For not
removing the halter he has to pay So resti-
tuition, the costs of prosecution, receive ten
lashes, he imprisoned one year, and wear u
convict's jacket six months.
Timothy Doran. a white man, who stole
ham worth $3.50, and has to pay So resti-
tuition and costs, receive ten lashes, live in
Jail six months, and wear convict jacket
for six months after his release-making
the ham rather expensive one.
Promptly at the appointed time, 10
o'clock, the jailor threw open the gates, and
ADMITTED an eager and expectant audience
of pepper and salt complications who were
in the highest state of excitement to wit
ness the grand show provided for them
gratis by Delaware justice. The majority
of the crowd were small boys, upon whom
the exhibition could not fail to have a
most salutary effect. To say that they
highly enjoyed the performance would
scarcely express their delight at the crack
of the whip and the cries of the victims. as
the lashes descended upon the trembling
flesh. Ten colored women were present,
who alone appeared to have any sympathy
for the sufferers, and they gave utterance
to many EXPLANATIONS of pity in under
tones, as if they feared that outspoken ex-
pressions Of opinion at the barbarity of the
whole affair would subject them to a SINH
lar punishment.
Cannon and Kelley were in the pillory
when the gates were opened; they remain
ed there one hour, and as the weather is
warm and pleasant, they apparently suffer-
ed but little. When Thornton the horse
thief. was placed in the pillory he also re-
manned one hour, and evidently did not
relish his position. He appeared to suffer
more than the other men, but stubbornly
refused to utter any cries. At I o'clock
these three, and the seven others under
sentence, were fiogged. This interesting
ceremony was postponed until the after
noon by the Sheriff, after he had had lis
dinner, as he felt uncomfortable about the
job, and did not wish to undertake it Oh an
empty stomach.
Postmaster General Creswell has rcor-
rr~nizod tho xpl,ola c,,ao;oI wall ..,,-;oo - 6