Connecticut western news., 1873-12-26
The Whipping-P0st.
Public Flogging of Four COnvicts at New
 Castle, Del.

Public Flogging of Four Convicts at Now
 Castle, Del.
 Four New York and Philadelphia burglars at New Castle, Delaware, re- ceived the following sentence: $500 fine, tho costs of prosecution, one hour in the pillory, forty lashes, and ten years imprisonment. When tho whip ping took place much excitement en- sued. A correspondent describes the scene as follows: The law requires public whipping, but makes the narrow jail-yard the place. The post, a sub stantial piece of oak, six inches square, rises in the middle of the yard about eight feet. Upon it is built platform five feet square, and rising from this is a pillory with accommodations for two necks and four wrists. This is a perma- nent structure. A dispatch from Phila- de}phia had announced that from 600to 1900 roughs, armed and intent upon releasing the men from the whipping post, would arrive at New Castle, and much excitement ensued, but the relief party did not come. Hopo and Garter, two of the men to be whipped, were brought forth. They reached the pill lory platform by ladder, and deputy sheriff opened the jaws of the pillory. Carter's head fitted the groove, but Hopes neck was too short, and the up per segment was left loose on his side of the post. The pillory is not adjusta- ble. If man is not long enough, he stretches; if he is too long, he stoops. Hope had the best of it. When the upper bar hurt him, he lifted it with one of his loosely confined hands and set it over upon his back somewhat. The other man was locked up tight. When the hour was over and the men were removed to make way for the oth- CT couple, Hope said to the crowd as he passed through to his cell, "I reckon you're satisfied now" "No," was the chuckling taunt, "we shan't be satisfied till just about one hour from now" Hope shivered, and passed in to wait one hour for his whipping. Both men had been we'll dressed. But when Law Tor and Hulburt, the other two, came out it was in the glory of standing col lars and kid gloves. They ascended the ladder laughing, and one of them made some sportive inquiry as to "how the old thing worked"
 After standing in the pillory for an hour, the whipping took place. The first man, Garter, was brought out, made fast to the post by iron clamps, and stripped to the waist. The sheriff addressed few remarks to the crowd, and ordered few ambitious spectators to "come down off them gates" Then he advanced, displaying his "cat. The cat had @ handle 8 foot long, and nine rolled leather lashes, three feet long and as thick as a lead pencil. These lashes are solid and hard as iron. They do not break the skin at first, but bruise it and bring out great blue and red blisters of extravasated blood. A backward swing of the arm, then a for ward stroke, and the nine are laid deli cately, almost gently, on the burglars broad back. The sheriff is evidently an expert. The lashes swing. First nine red stripes. With the next blow these are turned to blue then como red and blue alternately, as regularly and accurately the stripes ascend from the waist up while the deputy sheriff counts twenty. Then the whole back is infiamed, and the sheriff goes over it again. The skin begins to bubble and blister, and the burglar winces with each new stroke. "Forty," says the deputy. Big Frank is removed, with his coat loosely thrown over his shoulders.
 A surgeon present volunteers the in- formation that though back may seem to stand it pretty we'll, the heavy leather cylinders bruise severely. Before night" said he, "those backs will be terribly swollen. They'll fester, too, and be sore Ior week.
 The next man brought out was Hope, and the people looked on while the forty blows brought blood. Next came Lawlor, and then Hurlburt. Five min utes did the whole business. The men took their fogging quietly. They suf- fered severely but made no complaint. Their backs were a shocking sight to look upon.