Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-05-01
THE SECRET BEHEADING.


On the 9TH of May, 1777, the public
executioner of Colmar was imprisoned
for having left the town without the per.
mission Of the authorities; he was several
times brought up for examination before
the magistrates, and here is the account
that he gave of his absence: He said that
one evening at the end of April he was
alone in his house-his wife and as.
sistants being out-occupied in some
duty OF his office, such as repairing hand
cuffs, or putting gibbet together, when
he heard q loud knock at the door. He
opened without hesitation-an execu-
tloner could scarcely be timid-expect-
ing some messenger from the magis,
trate, no other person ever visiting his
condemned dwelling. Instead of the
familiar form he had expected, he saw
before him three men enveloped in
cloaks, while carriage slowly advanced,
surrounded by six or seven others. The
executioner saw all this at glance; he
was astonished, but not frightened.
" You are the public executioner, .
said one of the strangers
=" Yes, monsieur, was the reply.
7" Are you alone We wish to speak
to you in private" ," -
" [ am quite alone, will you walk in,
gentlemen2" ....
lie thought that they were messengers
from some neighboring tribunal, and
drew back to let them enter the house.
But he Lad scarcely finished speaking.
when these men sprang upon him.
gagged him, bound him hand and foot.
SO that he could not move single limb.
and placed him in the carriage. The
three men whom he had seen first got in
also, while the others mounted their
horses, and all set off at full speed.
they preserved profound silence while
they We're passing through the town, but
as soon as the smoothness of the way
would allow their voices to be heard. the
man who had first addressed him touch
ed the arm of the executioner and said
" listen to me; you have nothing to
tear-you will receive no hurt. You are
only required to perform an act of JUS
tice; and we will answer for your safety,
provided that you do not attempt to
escape or try to penetrate a mystery
with which it is not necessary that you
should be fully acquainted No ques-
ton OF yours will be answered; every
thing thatsyou require will be given to
you; and when your task is accomplish
ed you shall be brought back to your
home, and receive two hundred louis as
compensation for your trouble" .,
The executioner breathed more freely
after ne was told that his life would be
spared, though he still suffered extreme
ly, not being able to more his limbs.
: L am going.to remove the gag and
bonds" said the same voice, "and YOU
will no longer be subjected to any per
sonal restraint except a bandage, which
Will be placed over your eyes during the
day, and removed at night; but this is
only ON condition that you are perfectly
obedlent and do not speak. At the first
cry you dare to utter you are dead
man |"
lie telt the muzzles of two pistols and
the point of poignard touch his breast.
which easily convinced him that he had
no choice but to submit implicitly; and
as soon as his mouth was free and he got
permission to speak, he swore with q
thousand oaths that he would obey them
In ell things and would abide by the
conditions they imposed upon him.
" In that case, =" said the same person.
" you have nothing to fear."
From this moment not word was
spoken. They often changed horses,
but always in some retired place, where
they always appeared to be expected.
Although the blinds of the carriage
were closed firmly, his eyes were ban
daged at the first appearance of day, and
the same menaces repeated in case he
should attempt to discover in what part
of the country he was. He was other
wise well treated; they gave him ashare
OF their provisions and wine, which were
both excellent. They sometimes alight-
ed, but always in forest OF some by
place. where they would run no risk of
being remarked by passers-by.
This continued for two days. 1t ap-
peared to the poor executioner that dur
ng this time they had crossed the Rhine
and assembled several mountains. On
he evening of the second day, after
hey had been ascending rising ground
or some time, the carriage stopped.
He heard q drawbridge descend, and he
knew from the sound of the wheels that
they crossed deep moat. Although it
was perfectly dark, the bandage was
again placed upon his eyes, while they
entered, as it appeared to him, into a
large courtyard. The door of the car
rage was opened, and two men, taking
the executioner by the arms, led him up
several steps. He heard around him
sounds, as If several battle-axes or
muskets were laid upon the ground.