, 1869-06-11
tcofrespondenee Philadelphia Bulletin.l
THE WHITING POST AND PILLORY.


a post about eighteen feet high, piercing
square platform ten feet frUm the ground
while five feet above the platform are tht
arms of the pillory, the whole forming gi
gantic cross, Each arm. Of the pillory i,
! pierced with three holes, for the neck anC
Wrists. The upper part of the arm lifts tC
admit the victim aud then shuts down upon
him. If be is thin he has room to spare
bnt if his neck is thick he chokes. Below
the platform on each side of the post, an
iron manacle is fastened to hold the arms ol
the person who is Aogged On the old pieces
string were used The prisoners now, as
upon my last visit, stand upon an empty
soap box while receiving their stripes.
THE FLoGGING.
At las O'Clock the Sheriff. arm was suf
6ciently nerved for the task. The doors
opened, and the crowd poured in and filled
the yard. There were more than hundred
little boys present, all eager spectators Of
the scene. The Sheriff took his place with
the nne-taled cat in his hand. The iaior
ran out with the first victim, naked TO the
waist. He was a black man, named John
Pierce, about thirty years Of age. He had
stolen some harness, and bis sentence was to
pay as restitution money $50, the costs of
the trial. be whipped with twenty ashes, be
imprisoned one year, aud to wear a convict's
dress one year after his release
Twenty lashes, Sheriff." said the iailor,
and the tails of the cat we're lifted, descend
ing upon the dark skin, and marking it with
white lines. The man was placid, and bore
the infiction without murmer. He was
trotted off, and John Bush, a colored man,
was introduced. Mr.. Bush had been specu.
lating in stock, to the extent of stealing a
bull and two cows. Sentence: To pay $500,
be whipped with twenty lashes, and suffer
one years Imprisonment. He wore a mel
anchOly face, and he shivered as the Sheriff
lashed his back savagely. The Sheriff kept
his word. He "laid. it on" with a strong
hand.
Mr.. Bush retired in good order, and then
came boy who stood in the pillOry. lie
was severely whipped, also, and as each blow
fell he writhed and contorted, shrinking up
against the post, and crying out that the
Sheriff cut his arms. His awful crime left
but little sympathy for him. He danced off
at last in spirit Of braVado, to excite the admi-
ration OF the crowd.
John Reeley, also an occupant of the pill
lory, came next, and squirmed terribly be-
meath twenty lashes well laid on; but he
laughed as he went away. The next man,
muscular negro Of tremendous strength,
submitted to Awenty blows with calm iudif-
ference. He chewed tobacco during the
ordeal, and when it was over he said,
you done your work well, Sheriff; can
take my share. That's what's the matter"
white man, Mr.. IIemes, took his turn.
He had INDUCED an unfortunate fondness
for dollars worth Of pork upon one occa,
sion, and how he had to pay 81 40 restitution
money, submit to twelve ashes, bear nine
months Imprisonment, and wear convict's
dress for six months in public A most un
righteous and disproportionate punishment
The Sheriff touched him lightly aud the
crowd were dissatisfied. The Delawarean
thirst for justice was unslackeG, and many
were the audible protests against the Sherif's
leniency. Mr.. Helmes was not hurt badly
and he put on his coat with calmness. He
will, we hope, stcar clear of St. PillOry here
after
Timothy Doran came next. He was
white man, about thirty years of age. Tins
othy had taken p ham from its owner. He
had the customary sentence, with ten lashes.
The Sheriff gave him that number of delicate
blows, and the crowd boiled with indigua>
tion.
John, you don't half hit him"
"Sherif, why don't you whack it into
him p
"Pshaw, that's no punishment at ALL"
One spectator fearing that Mr.. Doran
would tail Io.appreciate the Sheriffs human
ity, said to the victim:
"The Sheriff's id kind to you, tell
you"
"John Willis, white man, next received
twelve lashes with a serene countenance He |
cut caper as he went of, and some of the |
crowd laughed. The Sheriff whipped him
gently.
VERY SAD CASE.
The succeeding case was more pathetic.
A young man of twenty-five years was
brought out. He looked like gentleman,
and was said to have respectable connections.
As be strode across the yard with the jailor,
in the presence of the rude crowd, which
contained possibly many of bis old acquaint>
A"NNoi nio wearing CAPtOSSSu luunlLe misery
and detection. His cap was pulled far down
over his eyes, and his lead was bowed as if
be could not bear that the scofing multitude
should look upon his face. He walked
straight to the post, threw aside his coat from
his naked shoulders, placed his hands 10 the
ron gives, and drew deep breath. Fifteen
ashes we're his portion.
The Sheriff swung his "cat" with mighty
lrm, and as the keen edges of the thongs
ell theyfurrowed the white skin into ugly
crimson ridges. Before the work was done
he mans back was covered with purple
Velts half an inch in thickness. The victim
endured the torture without moan or cry,
llthOugh his frame quivered with the terricf
,ain. "
Some Of the bystanders were touched with
'lty for this youth, but there was more
noekery than expressed compassion.
"You're nice specimen of humanity, {