Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-06-03
UNDER THE LASH.

49, NHpf
indicating the Majesty of Delaware Law---
Ten Prisoners Ia the stocks and the Cat
O'-nine-taiIs Laid on WeII---RevOItinE
Scenes.
The ponderous iron gates of the New
Castle Dell Jail were thrown open at
ten o'clock in the morning, and a motley
gathering of men, women and children,
black and white, crowded in to witness
the degrading punishment of lashing
upon the bare back that eleven thieves
were to receive in accordance with SEN
fences of the court. 1t is feature par
ticularly characteristic of these exhibit
tons, says a local correspondent, that
the audience is made up of the coarsest
phases of life in New Castle and the sur
rounding country, who appear to take
savage delight in the writings of the
human body as they are tortured by the
descending lash as it strikes the flesh
with an unnatural sound. Coarse tests
and unfeeling remarks are INDUCED in,
and it is made with many of the farmers
holiday occasion, whole families
arriving in wagons to witness the per-
Torrance. When the gates were thrown
open the first sight that met the eye was
that of two white men, Enoch Rash and
James Bradley, who had been guilty of
breaking into a store, stanting in the
pillory, where they remained one hour
each, and were taken down greatly
stiffened from this punishment. Robert
Harris, colored, was next put into the
pillory, where he remained for the space
of one hour. His offense was assault
and battery with intent to kill. During
this time the crowd had greatly thinned
out, but when the announcement was
made that the whipping would begin
they gathered within the yard again.
Enoch Rash was the name first called
out by the sheriff, and he came forth, q
tall, muscular man, led by deputy.
He was barred to the waist, and apparently
still suffering from the effects of his con.
finement in the pillory, stood bravely
up to the post while his hands were
fastened in the iron clamps. The sheriff
armed with cat-o'nine tails, asked il
all was ready, and commenced to rair
on the blows, thirty in number
which were counted by deputy as they
fell. The quivering flesh redeemed a
first and finally the blood found its way
to the surface, while the prisoner writhet
in his agony, and his face was the very
picture of suffering and despair. He wa
taken back to his cell, stiff and sore
James Bradley, who was the accomplic,
of Rash in the crime, was also hit thirt,
lashes by the sheriff, but bore it with
great deal more fortitude than the other
and Notwithstanding the blows fel
thick and fast not muscle of his fac
changed, and he in no way gave evi
dence of the intense pain he must hav
suffered. James Darah had stolen
pocketbook containing So, and for thi
stood up to the whipping post in o yer,
defiant manner to receive twenty lashes
which were Put on with heavy strokes
, Charles Harrison, colored, for larceny
received ten lashes without a murmu1
Thomas Hyde was whipped with twent
, lashes for stealing lot of old clothing
Isaac Hoyden, fine specimen of mani
form, had taken beefsteak and sma.
lot Of scrappel from farmers wagon
and for this received twenty lashes wit
intense suffering. The prisoner twiste
, and almost fell upon his launches in hi
3 endeavors to escape the blows. Hi
back was terribly SCARED, and he wer
: back to his cell in great agony. Thoma
, Davis, for robbery, was given twent
, lashes that burst the flesh, and Samu,
> Bush was given the same number fc
. participation in the theft. William I
a Cooper, colored, had stolen buffal
9 robe and received twenty lashes, an
3 David Reed, colored, for larceny, ais
received twenty lashes. In addition
the whipping each of them has to unde
+ go term of imprisonment, pay restitl
q ton money, and wear a convict's jack,
for six months after their release. I'll
y sight was apparently much enjoyed
I the spectators. There was large bate
i whipped on the Saturday previou
:. many of whom cried piteously for Nero
g and begged the sheriff to desist.