The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-01-01
The Whipping Post.

n correspondent IUuS UeEcflDeS the
whipping of four burglers at Newcastle.
Delaware It was rumored in Newcas-
tie that l, 300 men would come down
from Philadelphia to rescue the pris-
oners. The Sheriff established an arm
ed patrol, and the entrances,to the town
were picketed. No disturbance occur
| red. The concourse of people was i'm
mense, and shortly after 10 o'clock,
when the jail-yard doors were opened.
surging crowd, impatiently waiting in
the street outside, pressed in and filed
the narrow space in moment. A guard,
armed with Springfield rifles, and de-
tachment of police were stationed to
keep order. AT about 1920 Carter and
Hope were brought out of prison and
put in the pillory, which accommodates
two at time. The Sheriff and dep
uty fixed their necks and arms in the
holes. Hope being shorter than his
| companion, who is known as big Frank,
and is a very tall man, was suffering
from phthisis, and was allowed to stand
more erect than Carter. In his case,
too, the stocks were not fastened by
the usual hooks, but were held down
with strings. Carter was securely lock-
ed III them, placing his long, sandy
beard under his throat as an easy rest
for the neck. At the end of the hour
they were released. Carter complained
of pain in the chest from standing in so
bent a position Hope spoke more of
the soreness of his wrists. Lawler and
Hurlburt were put in next, and their
| hour expired about 1926. All this was
decorously done. The crowd was dis
posed at one time to jeer at the cul-
prits, but the Sheriff quickly interfered,
saying that no remarks would be allow
ed from the spectators, as the punish
ment itself was sufficient for the pris-
oners to bear. The men had their hats
on their heads and blankets or coats
were thrown over their shoulders, the
day being raw and cold. Upon the re-
lease of Lawler and Hurlburt they were
taken back to prison, and the four were
then brought out one at a time, and
whipTed. Before commencing this,
the Sheriff, coming forward with the
old-time hardened "cat " in his hands.
made proclamation that 10 disturbance
or remarks would be tolerated. "Big
Frank " was whipped first. He came
out, already stripped for the purpose.
with a coat loosely thrown over his
shoulders. This being removed, he
was fastened up, and the Sheriff ap-
! piled the "cat to the extent Of the
forty blows, deputy standing at one
side, and counting them off in an audi
bic voice.
The culprit stood with his head bowed
between his arms and took the castiga-
tion without finching. His back was
considerably Redeemed, and slight welts
were raised, but no blood was drawn.
Hope was whipped next. He stood
| erect, and there seemed to be a slight
yielding OF lis body under th- woieb b ;
Of the blows. Closing his eyes. he
threw his head back little, and several
times shivered perceptibly. as though
in much pain. No blood was drawn.
although red welts were raised across
his back. Lawler was brought out next.
He was, apparently, more severely pun
lshed than his companions, for velts
were raised which turned black. and
under few more blows would have
opened and sent a stream of blood.
Hurlbert received his punishment last.
He dropped his head between his arms.
and his face was hid from view. He is
man Of powerful built, and did not
| finch under the lash. Large red welts
were made across his back, but no blood
was drawn. This ended the perform
ance. The evident expectation of many
/ persons was that the Sheriff would be
very severe. But he applied the whip
very moderately, and this produced no
little disappointment. The four men
now begin term of ten years impris-
onment. Garter is said to have com
mitted a house burglary at Trenton.
and to have helped rob the Beneficial
Savings Fund in Philadelphia, after
ward killing one of his confederates to
compel him to give up the plunder
Hopes real name is said to be James J.
Watson, and he is reported to be a
graduate Of Yale College and a man of
/ reputable family. He is a brother-in-
law to Jimmy Haggerty, who was killed
by Ready the Blacksmith of New York.
He has been'concerned in several burg
laries, and escaped from Sing Sing
last summer. Lawler is also called
James Howard. and is from New Eng
land. He was sent to Sing Sing in 1871
for grand larceny. and escaped about a
| year ago. Hurlbert, or Brady, is a
| well known burglar, who has been fire.
| quently imprisoned, and is also said to
have escaped from Sing Sing two or
/ three months ago.