The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-09-21
A French Execution.
From the Figaro.

Gervais, the assassin of Bois-Colmbes,
was guillotined yesterday. at 80 Z. NJ.
on Friday, Marshal MacMahon signed the
death warrant. and five minutes later Sc
crct orders for the execution had been
transmitted to the military commander to
furnish the escort, to tie carpenter to
erect the scaifold, to the protect Of police
to make the necessary details. to the clerk
Of the court, the governor OF the prison.
the chaplain and the eXecutioner. At ,
4 NJ. on Saturday, the police cleared the
streets in the vicinity of the prison, which
has already been crowded with spectators,
many Of whom were women and children.
At 2:l5 the new guillotine, which M,
Roach calls the Bijou, was put together
The pieces are all numbered and fastened
together with wooden screws, SO that
there is no longer to be heard the sound
OF hammering SO ominous to the culprlt
\ gray whiskered man Of lofty stature
superintends the process. 1t IS NJ. Roach,
the eXecutioner. lie smokes a cigar while
narrowly examining the hanging of the
axe, the placing OF the wicker basket. fllied
with bran. for the severed head, and the
buckets of water to clean the scatfold. lie
tries the tall of the axe, but the heat has
made the wood shrink and it does not run
true in the groove, 50 he wedges the
frame till the axe slips satisfactorily.
"Will Gervas resist ~ we ask
Il don't know, but think not. They
are half dead when they come out to me,
and have never had any trouble with one
of them vet
"Will he speak to the crowd?"
"Speak? why they would all speak if
we gave time to do So
Gervas is asleep, believing fondly that
there must be a delay of at least forty
days between the decision Of the court of
appeals and the carrying out OF his sent
ence. Only thirty-two Of these have eN-
pired. He is tranquil; supped heartily
last night played a game OF cards with
the turnkey; beat him, aud went to bed
saying: "ill give you your revenge to-
morrow
4 :05 A. Nj. The guard arrives and is
posted. Arrive also liable Crozes, the
prison chaplain; the Commissioners OF
police and the clerk Of the court Every
body turns pale and is silent until two
women. who have nerVed themselves Tor
the occasion with copiops draughts, fall
off the roof OF the carriage to which they
| have climbed, Thereon every one laughs.
i 10 They enter the cell. Gervais is
sleeping quietly. The turnkey shakes him
by the shoulders he opens his eyes, turns
over, and is again composing himself to
| sleep when the governor says;
Gervais, you appeal is rejected. Cour-
age, man; the time has come
lie does not understand apparently, and
sits on the side of the bed stupidity rub
bing his eyes yawning
impossible y he stammers at last :
''you are only trying to scare met
| The keepers have removed his straight
Jacket and are dressing him rapidly and
noiselessly,
This is horrible.'' be says hoarsely.
Can society commit such a crime?9
While the clerk is reading .he warrant
| HAbbe Cr0Zes embraces and Gains him
and forces him to drink Il glass OF brandy,
Before they bind him he gives the priest
his watch and II lrarcs to be handed to
his children. As they cut away the neck
OF his shirt and he feels the cold steel of
| the scissors. he shivers conyusiyely and
means:
Il am innocent, this is murder"
At this moment an official covered with
| tuSl, HuIllt0 ~ INC tiit4, 'he' oNSiS OIiN
without mistakes him for the bearer OF a
reprieye. 1t is only Il fireman fresh from
a small FIRE. DESTROYS of reporting to the
chief OF police
1913, The door opens and the con
| demned man appears, supported by two
keepers, and accompanied BY the able.
He walks firmly but turns his eyes convul-
sively away from the axe. The able en-
braces him; NJ. Roach lays his large hand
on his shoulder
NO, 10; not SO soon-onc moment"
lie is strapped to the plank. bat not 50
firmly that he cannot slightly move has
head, and when the axe falls j! shears
away the base OF the skull. Prom the time
that The door opened fourteen seconds
have elapsed; six only since NJ. Roach
laid hands OBJ him