The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-11-18
A Japenese Execution.
HOW FOUR CoNvICTS WERE DISPOSED OF
AT A TIME--A PECULIAR AND HORRf-
BILE SCENE.

The prisoners were seated i'll baskets
made of bamboo, each borne on the
shoulders of two strong men. Inc
place ofcXecution was raised high above
the road. and seemed to be II fiat cut ont
from she hill. the high bank on the 9th
cr side afforeling the spectators good
view of the proceedings. The PRISON
ers were blintfoldcd on the road in
front of the hill, and were then brought
ND to the raised ground and the kagoes
placed down. Refreshments in the
shane of fish, omlets, cake and wine
were then handed by the attendants to
the prisoners. who seemed to pariake
quite freely. The prisoners commenced
to converse freely among themselves,
calling each other by name, and eXhort-
ing one another to behave firmly Mt the
last moment.
At the centre of the ground was hole
about on foot deep and about one foot
in diameter. The first prisoner was
brought up to the mat and made to
kneel. The executioner prepared his
sword by pouring water down the edge.
The prisoners body was barred down to
the waist, and his arms were held be-
hind his back by Il strong young fellow,
who gained more control over the pris-
oner's body by knceling also, and press
ing his right foot against the feet of the
prisoner. Another man settled the
bandage afresh over the eyes and ears,
while another drew his neck out to the
utmost, holding the head over the hole
till all was ready, when he withdrew.
A slap on the back, just below the neck,
intended TO give rigidity to the muscles
was also the signal for the executioner
to perform his task. He made his bow
to the officials, and gave the coup de
grace with an ease and certainty that
would have excited the envy of any
swordsman. The instant the sword had
passed through, the man behind the
body pressed the trunk toward into the
hole. The executioner retired with Il
bow, and in an instant after the trunk
and head, streaming with blood, were
conveyed to side place to await their
removal by friends.
The second prisoner when approach
cd stated he was ready, and the other
two shouted "!Shihwi ike" (be firm)
to which he replied undauntedly SSH
kari ni'" Il am tirm). His mode Of
treatment was similar to the first, but
he shouted to the last, telling the others
that he was just going, and that he was
firm, while they repeated the same eX-
hortation. A new eXecutioner officiated
and advanced to the front, and upon
the signal being given made his bow.
and with similar dexterity performed
his horrid task. The third prisoner was
a boy, who showed not the least emotion
when informed his turn had come, but
shouted to the last prisoner 81 am 60
ing!" who replied, BE firm" 1t was
painful sight to witness this slight
boy led forward to the mat, but his cour-
age never forsook him an instant, and
he marched as steadily as though he was
being led for an ordinary walk rather
than to the edge of the hole from which
he would be instantly precipitated into
another world. He spoke firmly to the
finish.
The last prisoner, Notwithstanding
his bravado, appeared excited, his face
being very red. When taken from the
kago he marched with a peculiar Etrnt,
throwing his feet out and holding him.
self quite erect. My impression was
that the sale given the prisoners was
drugged to II certain extent, and the last
man being of peculiar temperament,
the wine affected him differently. Hav-
ing no friends remaining to address him
selfto, he sung song, saying he would
follow the others, and that he thanked
the people for coming to see him. He
then allowed his head to he rebandaged.
There seemed to be more than ordinary
time in arranging this man for the ex-
ecutioner. The latter functionary hay
ing approached before the time, the old
fellow who prepared the prisoners neck
asked him to wait. This seemed to
slightly disconcert the eXecutioner, and
instead of performing his work with
cleanness of stroke, he cut somewhat
what high and only partially severed the
head. He had to take second cut and
afterward to saw upwards.
HOMEOPATHIC PIES. - The Boston
1rareiler tells the following on the au-
thority of truth-telling auctioneer of
that city: "A year or more ago the
auctioneer had for sale lot of homeo-
pathic medicines. All these medicines
were dumped into one pile and disposed
of in one lot, there being various kinds
of medicines in the mass A boarding
house keeper bought the lot, and some
days after the purchase the auctioneer
asked her, What did you do with that
medicine. Mrs. -?' She replied. Il
thought could use it, and it was cheap,
and SO crushed it under the roller and
then filled my sugar bowls with it.
The boarders seemed to like it, and cs-
pecially when powdered over pies