The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-09-19
4 FIJI EXECUTION.
BIundering with Ii Noose-A Revolt
Ing Spectacle.

The first attempt made In Fiji to carry a
capital sentence into effect brought about one
Of the most remarkable Incidents to be found
in the annals of public executions. The Fill
Times, OF June |, furnishes the following ac-
count:
A horrible and b%rutalizing scene was wit.
messed last Tuesday morning by a NUMBER OF
persons who went to zee the execution OF the
man Franks for The murder OF Thomas Muir
on board the Marion Bonnie He lad BEEN
sentenced to suffer the extreme penalty OF
the law, and WAS 10 have been hanged Oh
Monday, the 9th ultlino, but q gross miscar-
rlage OF Juetlce was allowed to occur. The
lime appointed came and went, but the exc
cution did not take place. for the simple
reason that 1t did not suit the private con.
yeniepce OF the sheriff. The poor
wretch, who had by anticipation suffered the
horrors of death, was then left In oil the mar
rowing aud ~nnimagiDable anxiety and uncer-
tainty as to his fate from hour to hour until
late In the evening, when he was informed
that he must be hanged In the morning at SIX
O'Clock. Every preparation was made the
previous night, the rope fixed, and the moose
adjusted. Rain fell, however, and Wetted
the rope, which was % very thick one. n In
the morning It had to be dried before q lire.
The lime came, the rope. was again liked, tue
culprit and the hangman were on the scaffold,
and before slipping the moose over the
wretched mans head the haDgman had 10 cit
down and place one of his feet In and pull
with all his might to make the knot run; Then
alter placing 1t over Franks's head ne had The
utmost difficulty in making 1t fit anything
like tight, but not nearly go tight as 1t should
have been. Then the drop fell, and when
the rope lightened with q low dull thud,
Franks was apparently dead for about.
three minutes, when Ills limbs began to move
and he gave several 5roans, and then spoke.
he prayed of those around him to put him
out of his agony, to "let him meet his Maker
In peace" Then, through being Improperly
plnioned, he raised one arm and got hold of
the rope, aud 80 partly relieved himself from
the fearful strain upon his neck. He still
continued to beg to he put out OF his misery,
telling them he forgaTe them for the .black
Iobn they had made ot 1t. But the frighltnl
scene was not yet over. One OF the OIL
clals, 1.-THE deputy WIS not TO be tound,) on
the impulse of the moment, ran and cut the
man down, when he:f3ll heavily to the ground,
there not being any attempt to catch him In.
bis fall. Franks Wal then removed to the
prison. Thus ended this "black job" which
tor horror is almost unparalleled. Its effect
Idol The spectators was such that one strong
man actually tainted away: Thus LIE
majesty OF the law at FIJI has been as.
serted. Its most horrible senLenceSdeath-
has been attempted 10 be inflicted and signally
failed. The wretched man, after the terrible
ordeal through which he passed, has been re-
prIeyed. Had another attempt been made to
hang him, 80 strong was the feeling of lndlg-:
nation on the banch, we fully believe there.
would have been O riot. The question arlsesl
as 10 what must be done with the man. He
has to all iatents and purposes suffered tile
penalty of the law. Twice he has eXpe-
rienced horrors, the like OF which no man can
Imagine, and alter being hanged and cut down
by the officials surely hls punishment has
ceased. The sentence was that he was to be,
hanged until ''dsad," but the officers OF The
cut him down before death. The man
should be free, for It must be clear that
the law cannot punish him twice for the
same offence. The best way TO 40 now
would DO to pay his passage out OF
the country, and be rid OF such o fellow from
among us. Franks states when The bolt was
drawn and he ieIl, hs thought he felt some.
thing break at the back OF his neck. and he
F FSsn n En- l%s% aea 51e 81 ! Week Hsk af }fo And 1 hfieEfGns5
was rescued passed before his mind. He saw
bimselfcling to the chains I'LL washed away,
then Selling q rope attached to o floating spar.
and clinoing to It until washed back again on
The deck by a heavy sea. All the details OF the
wreck passed through his mud, and then
the thought, why do not Ole = AnG
finding he could breathe he suspected lonl
play and An intention 10 torture MIN oy pro,
longing his sufferings. Then he spoke ana
clutched the rope, willing and Wishing 10 Ole,
but not a prolonged death.