The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1873-03-22

the chapel to the van in front ofthe pris-
on door. Tho van contained the prison.
ers, the chaplain and two assistants, two
sisters Of Charley the project and his
heutehant and the usual guards on the
outside. While the van was rolling over
the pavement on its way to the Castle
dNoye, which Is built right on the edge of
inc bay OF Naples, many harsh comments
were made from groups Of stragglers,
while an occasional merciful one youch-
saied an ejaculation such as "The Lord
nave mercy upon them p for we'll they all
knew the mission Of the rusty wheeled
eiack van Of the pr.son, During the to-
sious drive the prisoners prayed and SOB
bed alternately, and spoke little and only
IN whispers to the kind Sisters Of Chari-
WI, who never ceased Offering them reli-
gious consolation.
a guard Of policemen occupied the gates
Of Castle d'Nove, and DOTTED their hats
when the van drove up and the per feet
made his appearance. The gates being
thrown open, the prisoners were led thro
long, stony passageway, darkoned by
nisn walls Upon reaching the rooms Of
the jailor aar5
THE SISTERS,
assisted by other women, removed tho
cloaks and bonnets of the prisoners. The
priests, sisters of charity and prisoners
then krelt and prayed, the officers stand
ing round with bowed and uncovered
heads AT the close Of the prayers for the
dying, the executioner appeared, wearing
q black mask and black single shirt. AS
sisted by the jailor, the executioner pin
Toned tho arms Of the criminals. The plain
white collars around the doomed women's
necks were removed, and oil being ready,
the living cortege moved through two pas
sageways until the place ofexeoution pre-
seh'ed itself, 1t was u very unique sight.
AT the extremity of a small, stone. sur
rounded and stone-bottomed yard is a fiat
rock shaped into platform about eight
feetsquare and two in height. On one
end Of this old stage, upon which only
the last act is ever performed, there ia q
very narrow step, for only the executioner
and his help, the jailer, use II, In the CEN
tire Of the platform stood q block, the old
block mentioned above, with little bolt
or hook in front for fastening the neck Sc
curely. The unfortunate women, when
confronting this scene, prayed aloud and
cried Historically. The usual prayers
were recited, and, when concluded, the
jailor passed to the executioner long in
strnment in an ancient looking scabbard
OF leather covered with steel and brass
platings. The executioner, though evil
IDENTIFY young man, seemed familiar with
the paraphernalia Of his sorrowful craft.
Heladroitly unbiased the heavy scabbard,
drew forth large, haAt n
80 GLIsrENINd AXE. d H
with blade like colossal razor, and
took up his position on the rear Of the
platform. The criminal eyes were ban
daged with long strips Of linen, which
left enough to bind the head to the block.
Rose Porro was first conducted to the
block, and when the jailer was about to
place the linen over her eyes, she stag
garsd back, and made violent movement
with her arms as il she would burst her
pinions. But tho chaplain's voice calmed
her, and according to his admonition she
repeated the Divine prayer, "Into Thy
hands, o Lord, commend my spirit" and
fell upon her knees. ~
Marguerite Coraldi was removed to the
entrance Of the yard, and prevented from
witnessing her accomplices death. The
prison bell Of Castle d'Novo was now toll
ing slowly, the clergy and nuns were
praying fervently. and Rose Porros white
neck was made fast to the block; and ex-
posed to the glittering axe of the execu-
TONER.
The chief warden Of the castle, who
may be called q sheriff, came near the
platform in company with two medical
men and the Sindaco. The chief warden
moiioned to all present to preserve strict
silence, and then turning towards the ex-
ecutioner he raised his right hand--the
signal for the fatal blow. The executions
er, whose work had been staring worldly
at the sheriff awaiting that signal lifted
his weapon and stepped to the left side OF
the prisoner. lie raised the axe about
one foot from the neck Of Rose Porrc w
way Of taking aim, and then swinging
above her head, he brought the heavy blaa
down with all his might and
THE HEAD DROPPED OVER THE BLOCK. b
The trunk rose nearly foot and half,
as II living by the sudden spasmodic 40
ton of the severed nerves. litter was i'm
mediately at hand, and the trunk and
head Of what was Rose Porro, the famous
baby farmer, was removed, and Margarine
Coraldi was led to the block. She prayed
constantly, and did not evince any great
fear until her head was forced on the fa-
tai stann when she uttered o brief, ner-
vous scream. Her head was not complete
~ severed at the first blow The skin Of
the front Of the neck remained uncut and
the body, springing back, exposed ghast-
ly gap which made every spectator shud-
der, and caused the platform to be smear
ed with blood. A pail was thrown over
the body and its head, and both were re-
moved in litter to await, like Porro's
corpse, burial in unconseorated ground.
The fulfilling Of tho executioner's contract
was to wipe aid whet the axe he usedjand
replace it in the scabbard fit for future
emergencies.
Tur Starrp or EnnAR por-Misa