The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-05-03

4
l. s,b A japanese Execution.
The decapitationn. 40 Of fo,u,r,. four M en- &C Tobe
INxokoHarts, FOR athS o6fims rof istealinRR
s9%A aostN 5teaA fip Hslse abopt,ss,pany
Hisss seSs sS5ssRaS s9s Sc.
cukibp groubd was fenced su fn the foru,
OF q corral, and stpodl amidst amidst fields of
eaoIosnre was d ndSs.shsa, Ana lust ont,
side Of itsap ohainoria, group OF, ,trees-+-
ominous, at least, to condemned prison.
ers. for the fast.decaying skulls which
iisaround too plainly telinhe tale or that
BeAueatered spot. The birds and dogs
have been ,at work in this offensive bnry.
hg-placeil and have thearthed ttoss
remhapts OF the dead. The Hxeadl honr
Rppsoipted fQr the sentepced culprits to
exptate their crines is IA. NJ, aud we
Ind t'wants thirty minutes Of that hour
yet. But already numerous and some.
what motley group Of foreigners. and ma
ttves are assembled, and some OF the
more csllore indulge in unseemly con-
versation and rude jokes. While moving
about the spot, we observe the prepara-
lions which have been made for the exc
cutlon. A horizontal bar, upon which
are four ominous spikes projecting up
ward-and whereon, it is readily sur
missed, the heads of the doomed criminals
will be bleaching in the sun for two or
three days-stands nbont two yards from
the fence, near the mat-shed on one side
and the gate on the other. Opposite to
this are two holes in the ground, the di-
n,ensions of which are abnut three feet
by one and a half feet. and some eighteen
inches deep. Beside these. the poor
wretches will have to kneel when bo.
headed, that their heads may full into
them; they also receive their blood.
There is number Of straw mats living
near, In which, we are told, the bodies
will be wrapped and buried. Near one
OF these holes-the one where the e1ecu-
toner will first perform the sanguinary
duty OF his revolving off1ce--is white
handkerchief on a staff. Thus it will be
seen TINT the arrangements are neither
elaborate nor pervaded by that mournful
air which should characterize the occa-
sion. In the hut sits the exeoutioners
and their attendants, complacently await
ing the arrival Of the sorrow full process
slon from the prieou. Anxious to have q
chat with the chief headsmap, o man ap.
parentiy fifty or sixty years of age, we
enter the mat.shed and wish them good
morning, which is politely returned,
light cigars and enter into conversation
regarding the prisoners. We then casu-
silly examined the exeoutioner's sword, q
long, two.handed one, and doubtless of
the best steel. and received an invitation
to look over the prison on some future
occasion. Moving outside again, we
observed the increasing concourse anx-
ious to witness the dying throes of the
unfortunate men.
But, liatenl thut mournful chant,
softly waited DER the fields of grain
which glow IN the morning sunshine,
betokens the approach of the sad pro-
cession. Nenrer and neHrer, though
slowly, it approaches Us; and as it's sor-
fowful lay is echoed by the hills. and
sapplces around, thrill OF ,pain, of
sympathy for those on whom another
sun. another morn. viii never brighten,
!s ielt by almost every heart that's there
Now 1t Is within few yards. Three
men arc carrying as many boards, held
aloft on poles, upon which is written a
declaration OF the grimes committed by
the oniprits; then came three or four
more, having poles with GROSS covered
With spikes at the top-emblematical of
the prison and justice-then follow Il
IsoAAHS ~ NAAoCAo oa0 htbCuuhuCS, III the
midst Of whom are the prison ers-four
very young nen-each dressed in light
oloredkimeno-a long dress fastened at
the waist with . sash or girdle, and CON
trasting strangely with the darker attire
OF the others. Three of them walk with
frmness and strength. but the fourth,
sick and overwhelmed with distress, is
being carried in kango. or baske. chair,
in which tho common people OF Japan
travel. being borne along by Two coolies.
As they pass through the gate, We
being inside the fenoe-see plainly each
man as he comes in, aud are somewhat
surprised to hear one of them, as he
walks close By Us. say, ohago gazan:,aas.'
(good morning) in calm, natural tone
Of voice. and then express his opinion
that the terrible death to which he is
doomed would resemble going to sleep;
he evidently had NO fear OF death. The
three. men (the fourth being in state OF
semi-insensibility) take long, long gaze
at surrounding objects, and tho attend
ents proceed to blindfold them, their
arms having been securely bound behind
them before leaving the Jail. The three
men, eaoh in turn, then gave utteranoe
to q sort OF exhortation and q PRAYER.
The miserable wretch in the ka,aao is now