The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-03-06

s'MlSerere,' chanted by the Sisters In their
choir, could be heard gloomily waiting
through the long corridors The prisoners,
still in black. knelt near the altar. ard at
the appointed time received their last COM
munion, the viaticum, so called, because
it is meant to be taken with them on the
road to the other world.
TO THE EXECUTION
Toward half-past 6 the prisoners, fianked
by an escort of ten gendarmes and proceed
cd by three clergymen, moved from the
chapel TO the van in front of the prison
door. The van contained the prisoners.
the chaplain and assistants, two Sisters of
Charity, the Project and his lieutenant
and the usual guards on the outside.
While the van was rolling over the pave
ment on its way to the Castle d'Nuovo,
which is built right on the edge of the Bay
OF Naples, many harsh comments We're
made from groups OF stragglers, while an
occasional merciful one vouchsafed an
ejaculation such as, "The Lord have
mercy upon them" for well they all knew
the mission OF the rusty wheeled black
van OF the prison. During the tedious
drive the prisoners prayed and sobbed al
ternatelv, and spoke little and only in
whispers to the kind Sisters of Charity.
who never ceased offering them religious
consolation. guard of policemen occu-
pied the gates OF Castle q Nuovo, and
dotted their hats when the van drove up
and the Project made his appearance.
he gates being thrown open, the trem-
bling prisoners were led through a long,
stony passageway darkened by high walls
pom reaching the rooms OF the taller, the
Sisters, assisted by other women, re-
moved the cloaks and bonnets OF the
prisoners. The priests, Sisters of Charity.
and prisoners then knelt any prayed, the
officials standing round with bowed and
uncovered heads
PREPARING FOR DEATH
At the close Of the prayers for the dy-
lng, the executioner appeared, wearing a
Mack mask and black slnglet shirt AS
sisted 10y the jailer, the eXecutioner pin
joned the arms of the criminals The
plain white collars around the doomed
Womens' necks were removed. and all be-
ing ready the cortege moved through two
FassagewaYs until the place OF execution
presented itself. It. was a very unique
sight. AT the extremity of small, stone
surrounded and stone bottomed yard is a
flat rock shaped into platform about
eight feet square and two IN height. On
one end of this old stage, upon which
only the last act is ever performed, there
IS very narrow step. for only the execu-
toner and his help, the iailer, use it. In
the centre of the platform stood block
the Old block mentioned above. with u
little bolt or hook in front for fastening
the neck secnreIy. The unfortunate wo-
man when confronting this scene PRAYED
,al l
prayers were rected and when concluded
he taller passed to the pxecntioner long
Instrument in an ancient looking scahbarl
A leather covered with steel and brass
pIatnGs. The executoner, though evil
with the paraphernala Of his sorrowfui
rratt. He adroitly uncasped the heavy
ec;thbard, drew forth
THE GLISTENING AXE,
with blade Ike q colossal razor, and took
mp his position on the rear of the plat
form. The criminals eyes We're bandao-
ed with long strips Of linen. which lett
enough to bind the head 10 the block
Rose PorrO was first conducted to the
block, and when the taller was about to
place the linen over her eyes she stag
gered back and made a violent movement
with her hands, as if she would burst her
pihions; but the chaplain's voice Gained
her, and according to his atlmoniton she
repeated the divine PRAYER, Into Thy
hands, . Lord, | commend my spirit, =
and tell upon her knees. Margarine Cor
add was removed to the entrance of the
ward, and prevented from Witnessing her
arcompice's death. The prison hell OF
Castle d'Nu0yo was now tollino slowly,
the clergy and nuns were praying tervent-
", and Rose Porr0's white neck was made
last 10 the block and exposed to the gilt
terlng axe of the eXecutioner. The chief
warden of the castle, who may be called
sheriff, came near the platform in com
pany with two medical men and the Sind
AGO. A number OF prominent people, in
Guiding members of the principal Neapo-
Titan and provincial papers. We're admitted
barely in time. The chief warden mo-
TONED to all present to preserve strict 81
lence and then turning toward the execu-
toner he raised his right hand the sig
nal for
THE FATAL BLOW.
The executioncr, whose mask had been
staring weirdIv at the Sheriff awaiting
that signal lifted his weapon and stepped
TO the left side Of the prisoner He rails
ed the axe about one foot from the neck
q Rose Porro by way Of taking AIM and
then swinging it above his head, he
brought the heavy blade down with all hi,
might, and the head dropped over the
block. The trunk rose nearly a foot an(
half as if living, by the sudden spas
mode action of the severed nerves.
litter was Immediately III hand, and the
trunk and head of what was Rose Porro
the infamous baby farmer, We're removed
and Margaret Coraldi was led to the block
She prayed constantly and did not evinct
any great fear until her head was forced
or the fatal stand, when she uttered
brief, nervous scream Her head was no
completely severed with the first blow
The skin of the front of the neck remain
"a uncut, andthe body springing back ex
posed CHASTITY cap which made ever,
spectator shudder, and caused the plat
form TO be smeared with blood. pal
was thrown over the body and its head
and both We're removed on litter t.
await, Ike Porro's corpse, burial in un
consocrated ground. The fulfilling of tn,
eXecutioner's contract was to wipe an(
whet the axe he used and replace it in tn,
sen bbard fit for futurp ouprpencac