New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-28
THE
MURDERER BAZAAR
THE PREPARATION FOR THE EXECUTION
INTERVIEW WITH THE PRISONER
SUDDEN HOPE FOLLOWS DARK DESPAIR
REPRIkVE AT TIE LAST HOUR

to death for the murder of Joseph Cobez.
Some two hours before the time fixed for
the dreadful finale, our reporter visited the
Parish Prison. and, by the courtesy of Cap.
tain Swain, Superintendent of the prison,
and the politeness of Captain Emile Ruiz.
Deputy Sheriff, WAS permitted to inspect the
scene OF the coming tragedy, and the pre-
parations therefor.
Everything ywas in complete readiness,
awaiting 1.-THE inevitable hour" when one
more soul would be launched into dark
eternity by q violent and shameful death.
The gallows was erected at one end of large,
oblong paved court yard, surrounded on
three sides by the prison buildings, and on
the fourth side separated by a very high
and massive stone wall. from the alley that
divides the prison proper from that portion
of the gloomy editice at present used as an
insane asylum.
The engine of death, as it awaited
its victim, seemed very simple, and hardly
suggestive of its dread purpose. At least it
was very different from the popular idea OF
the "gallOws tree" as CLEANED from certain
class of romances and sensational picture
books. Three. stout beams of wood pro-
jected about eight feet from second story
window; on the middle beam the fatal moose
was suspended, and the two others served
to hold up the platform underneath, on
which the prisoner was to be placed. This
plALIOTH, SuSthlOtu Ou Cuc NY Two ILL
mense hinges, driven into the prison wall,
was kept IN horizontal position, by two
stout ropes, which. rove through the out
side beams above. passed into the room from
the window of which the Beams projected.
,aThese ropes were then delayed" in such
q manner that at the fatal moment one
stroke Of sharp Ratchet would sever them,
when the platform would fall, leaving the
doomed one suspended in the death strug..
IL l,D live n
that when the platform gave way the body
would fall five and q halt feet, distance
which long experience has fixed as the
proper one to produce an instant deprlva-
ton Of all sensation. As usual on such
occasions as the present, the prisoners were
all locked ND, and chilly stiffness per-
vaded the place, drearilY suggestive OF the
scod obstruction" to which the condemned
man was rapidly Fastening. None were
visible except the few detailed for prison
duty. These moved stealthily and spoke in
whispers, as men do when in the presence
of the dead, and their every movement
seemed weighed down by sense OF the
coming horror.
Although the execution was to take place
within the prison walls, unwitnessed by the
multitude, yet crowds thronged in front OF
tie prison, actuated by strange taste for
the horrible, gazing with loathsome desire
at the frowning walls which stood between
them and the least knowledge of the awful
| drama soon to be enacted within.
Apart from all this, up in the highest
story of the building, where the CONDEMNED
| cell is, seated in front OF the chapel that
| adioins it, was the prisoner, engaged in re-
! ligious exercises in company with his con-
| lessor, the good Father Dufau. Several OF
| his friends and countrymen were with him,
and in the intervals OF devotion he cOnversed
with them and others who stood around.
| When our reporter entered, he was greeted
| by the prisoner in a courteous manner. and
with calmuess Of demeanOr that had in it
something appalling. For no one, if unap-
| priced by surrounding circumstances, could
| have supposed that this was the man who,
| in less than two short hours, would be
numbered with the silent dead-"allke I'M
knowing and unknown"
The prisoner is about forty years of age,
| OF short stature mot more than i've feet
two inches). but possessing great muscu
| lar power. He is Of Malay origin, but was
reared in the island of Manila. His cast OF
features and tawny yellow complexion show
| his race, but there is nothing about him tc
| indicate to the physiognomist the savage
| passions that impei to b'oodshed. HI:
| countenance has very mild expression, and
! his manners exhibit none OF the roughnes:
usually seen in seafariug men. He speaks
| English with very little foreign accent
with choice of words and facility anl
correctness of expression quite surprising
when it is considered that his native Ian
| puapn is a foreign tongue. and that tht
Greater part of his life has been passed a
| sea in company with q class of men whose
| idiom is. as q rule, more forclble thai
elegant.
| He at once entered into conversation will
onr reporter. naturally about his dreadful
situation. He said that his time on eartl
was finished, and, in contrite, humble hope
in his Saviour, he was prepared tor TIT
great change. He had been a sinful man
but he was happy now, for repentance haC
been granted to him. Then he asked ii on
reporter had learned any nerS? The repl.
reply was, that although great exertion
| had been made, there was no reason 10
hone, His countenance fell, and he ap
peared to struggle with inward emotion.
After a minutes silence, he said it wa
hard to die in health and strength; but
God 80 willed it, the blessed Gods will D
done. He was a Christian-he felt it and
feeling it, he was very happy. By the mo
ton of his lips be seemed engaged in menta
nrayar: but Immediately after he asked GU
repOrter il it did not sometimes happen tha
GOOD news came at tie last minute? II
was answered that it would be wrong an
cruel to mislead him with false hopes, tor
was the general conviction that all effort
to turn aside the bitterness OF deatn ma
failed. He bowed his head, and graspln
the cruclfix that hung around his neck, b
pressed it to his lips and family eJacu ated
.Have mercy upon me. my saviour
After q moment he shook our reporter o.
the hand, and with refinement OF name
that would not have been out OF place In re
fined circles, ne asked to be excused 10
awhile. Speaking to one OF the gentiene
present, they went together into the col
| r bnIl n0nVPrEQ1iOT
Soon after he came out OF the cen, al
silently occupied a chair; his clasped hands
his closed eyes and moving lips, 1ndlcatln
That he was engaged in earnest preparation
The minutes sped on, swift and unrelent
inc. In less than one short hour, and the
A deep silence fell upon the sym
pathisiug assembly; none felt 1t rlght 10 ois
turb the prayerfut seeklngs OF the ma
ahout to die. More than one, douol!ess
made inward suplicatlon that uoo "ouio
merciful, to him sinner.
The door opened, and Captain SWAN ap
neared in company with several other gen
tIemen: in his hand he held an open letter
Tie prisoner rose and, with deep fervor
inferred: "Oh, God! my Saviour, support 10
now All stood around and, with uhCoN
cred heads, prepared to hear the areaoi'
death warrant. :, .b;
com mnnitv than Captain Robert Swain, 81
nerintendent of the Parish Prison, ana
pwhn know him know also what goof
hearted man he is. 1t would seem as
Providence, in destining him to rule owe !;
40 crime hardened and the vicious, had
compensation infused into his near!
donble portion of the milk OF human klho
ness so that amidst the stern necesslsles :
his Isy vocation he could still relieve his soul
DING good. soa~d There W,