The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-02-27

TIE AWFUL END OF THE BABY FARM
HRS OF ,NAP1Es.-The two baby farmers
Of Naples, whose, appalling crimes have
already been narrated, recently paid the
penalty for their deeds on the block in
the Castle d'Novo. near Naples. The
prisoners were brought before Judge
and jury, and after q brief trial, during
which the most revolving details Of their
terrible crime were ELECTED. both Roso
Porro and Margarite Coraldi were SEN
tenced to death. The scene in the court
room on their being pronounced guilty
was affecting in the extreme, the women
sobbing hysterically and kneeling in the
dock to supplioate for mercy.
Towards half-past 6 the prisoners,
hanked by nn escort of ten gentlarmcs
and preceded by three clergymen,
moved from the chapel to The van in
front OF the prison door. Tho van con.
tanned tho prisoners, tho chaplain and
assistants, two Sisters Of Charity, the
prefect and his lieutenant, and the
usual guards OH the outside. While the
van was rolling over tho pavement GU its
way to the Castle d'Novo, many harsh
comments were made FROM groups Of
stragglers, while an occasional nerciful
one vouchssfed al ejaculation such as,
"The Lord have mercy upon them!" for
we'll they all knew the mission Of the
rusty wheeled black van OF the prison.
At the close Of the prayers for the dying.
the executioner appeared, wearing u
black mask and black singlct shirt. In
tho centre Of the platform stood block,
with little bolt or hook in front for
fastening the neck securely. The un-
fortunate women when confronting this
scene prayed aloud and cried hysterical-
y. The e1ecutioner, though evidently
a young man, seemed familiar with the
paraphernnlia OF his sorrowful craft.
He drew forth large glistening axe.
with blade like colossal razor. and
took up his position on the rear of the
platform. The criminals eyes were
band"ged with long strips of linen,
which left enough to bind tho head to
the block. Rose Porro WAS first con-
Quoted to the block. Marguerite Coraldi
was removed to the entrance OF the
yard, aud prevented from witnessing her
accomplice's death. The prison bell Of
Castle d'Novo was now toiliug slowly,
the clergy and nuns were praying fer.
vently, and Rose Porro's white neck was
made fast to the block and exposed to
the glittering axe of the execntioner.
The executioner, whose mask had been
staring weirdly at the sheriff awaiting
the signal, lifted his weapon and stepped
to the left side Of the prisoner. He
raised the axe about one foot from the
neck of Rose Porro, by way of taking
aim, and then swinging it above his
head. he brought the heavy blade down
with all his might, aud the head dropped
over the block The trunk rosc nearly
foot and u half, as il living, by tue
sudden spasmolic action Of the severed
nerves. A litter wasi Immediately at
hand, and the trunk and head of what
was Rose Porror, the infamous baby
farmer, were 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 fatal stand, when she uttered IL
brief, nervous scream. Her head was
not completely severed with the first
blow. The skin OF the front of the
neck remained uncut. and the body,
springing back, exposed ghastly gap
which made every spectator shudder,
and caused the platform to be smeared
with blood. A pail was thrown over the
body and its head, and both were re-
moved on litter to await, like Porro's
corpse, burial il unconsecratcd ground.
The fulfilling of the e1ecutioncr's con-
tract was to wipe and whet the axe he
used, and replace it in the scabbard tit
for future emergencies.