National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-05-17
An Instrument of Torture.

An Instrument of Torture.
The knout, says writes VINO saw il
used in Russia consists OF handle
about a foot and half long, with piece
of twisted blue of about the same length.
! To this blue is attached, by loop piece
a thong, prepared to almost metallic
hardness, in length about four or five
feet, perfectly fat, and little more than
an inch broad 1t is changed after every
six or eight blows, as it is considered I'M
fit for use when it becomes at all soft.
The principal eXecutioner having
/ placed himself within five CT six feet
of the prisoner, with the throng OF
the knout on the ground, rather be-
hind him, then crew it forward, raising
it slowly and steadily till it had attained
the proper elevation, when he brought
| it down with tremendous force upon the
middle of the criminals back leaving a
deep crimson mark of nearly an inch
in breadth, extending from his neck to
the waistband OF his trowsers. Upon re.
ceiving the blow, the wretch uttered q
scream, or rather yell Of agony, the in
tensity of which | never heard ap-
BiptR'iNA, NhilC tNNA litIt VI blS bOuN
seemed in violent and instantaneous
contortion. With scarcely any interval,
the blow was repeated, followed by the
same result, the sal1e frightful yell, the
same appalling shudder. The second
mark appeared about an inch from, and
parallel to the first; third, fourth, and
fifth blow followed in quick succession,
when the operator stepped aside and re-
signed his place to his assistant The
blows from the i lter were light, when
compared with those inflicted by the ell
der eXecutloner, more so, indeed, than
the difference between their size and
strength, great as it was seemed to JUS
tify.
After giving eight blows, the assistant
retired in his turn, when his principal,
who in the meantime had fitted on
fresh throng, resumed the dreadful task
He was again succeeded by the young
man, who in like manner had renewed
the efficacy of his weapon by similar
process of renovation. In this manner
did they continue mutually relieving one
another, and, at each relay adding q new
throng, till the destined number of blows
were inflicted on the lacerated back of
the parricide. About the fifteenth stroke,
his struggles having partially losened the
tastenings, 1t was found necessary to
stop and have them fixed more firmly.
From the first to the twentieth blow
each was followed by the same scream
and convuls;ons; from the twentieth till
the tiitieth both gradually became weak |
or-the latter had, indeed, de9enerated |
into a sort of shIvering. After the ff-
tieth, both ceased, the criminals head
fell to one side, and though each touch
of the knout brought with it a convul |
sive shudder, he seemed to be perfectly |
unconscious of pain.
The punishment concluded, the chief |
cXecutloner took some instruments from
his bag and with them marked the male
factor on the forehead, on each cheek,
and on the chin. This, I understand,
was merely form typical Of branding,
which, as well as Sitting the nostlils,
was always inflicted upon a knouted
until the humanity of the En-
peror Alexander prompted him to abol-
ish both practices. The marks are now
made with Il cold instrument, and are, |
believe, easily eflaced.
The criminals back now exhibited
most horrid spectacle. 1t was one man.
oled bloatCd mass, of deep crimson
hue: yet, still manglcd us it was, no
blood ran from it. A common cart hay
ing been drawn up into the square, the
axecutioners united the strap by which
-he maefactor was bound to the ST. G,
md. with the assistance of the guards
,arried him to and placed him in the
art, throwing his shirt lightly over him,
hen his cation, then, over all, mat.
When removed from the stake he was
Iuite insensibe: so much so that ] did
lot suppose he would survive until he
'eacl d the hospital; but was mistaken,
or upon observing him attentively, after
he had been placed in the cart, | per-
'eived he had 20 far recovered as to at
empt to move one arm. l could not
observe any surgeon attending the exc
ution, nor indeed would it have been Of !
ny consequer q, ,as the number of stripes
S specified andwhatever happens, they
must be administered.
He was driven of to prison with the
anne guards and attendants as ut first
he whoie affair from the arrival till de- I
,arture of the prisoner, not lasting twen- !
V minutes. What became of him after /
yard i could not learn, but l have little
oubt that he died in a few days !
rom the fever and modification that
rere likely, or certain, to follow such se- r
ere injury. On the event of his recov- {
ry, he would be sent to end his life in !
he mines of Siberia, and this could ;
be alled the least part of his :
enlistment. Such is the knout