Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-06-03

Ten Prisoners Ia the Stocks and the Cat.
e'.nine.iails Laid on Wcil-..Rsvoltins
scenes.
The ponderous iron gates of the New
Castle (Del.) Jail were thrown open at
ten o'clock in the morning, and 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.
tenoes Of the court. It is feature par.
ticularly characteristic of these exhibi-
tions, says 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 a
savage delight in the writings of the
human body al they are tortured by the
descending lash as it strikes the flesh
with an unnatural sound. Coarse jests
and unfeeling remarks are INDUCED in,
and it is made with many Of tho farmers
holiday occasion, whole families
arriving in wagons to witness the per-
formanoe. 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 store, standing III 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 tho 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 tho name first called
out by the sheriff, and he came forth, a
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 cato tails, asked if
all was ready, and commenced to rain
on the blows, thirty in number,
which were counted by deputy as they
fell. The quivering flesh Redeemed at
first, and finally the blood found its way
to the surface, while the prisoner writhed
in his agony, and his face was the very
picture OF suffering and despair. He was
taken back to his cell, stiff and sore.
James Bradley, who was the accomplice
Of Rash in the crime, was also hit thirty
lashes by the sheriff, but bore it with
great deal more fortitude than the other,
and Notwithstanding the blows foil
thick and fast not a muscle of his face
changed, and he in no way gave evi
lence of the intense pain he must have
James Darah had stolen a
pocketbook containing SO, and for this
stood up to the whipping post in a very
leiant manner to receive twenty lashes,
which were PUT on with heavy strokes.
Charles Harrison, colored, for larceny,
received ten lashes without murmur.
Thomas Hyde was whipped with twenty
ashes for stealing lot of old clothing.
Isaac Hoyden, fine specimen of manly
orm, had taken beefsteak and a small
OF of scrappel from farmers wagon,
md for this received twenty lashes with
intense suffering. The prisoner twisted
md almost fell upon his launches in his
'ndcavors to escape the blows. His
back was terribly scared, and he went
back to his cell in great agony. Thomas
Davis, for robbery, was given twenty
ashes that burst the flesh, and Samuel
Bush was given the same number for
anticipation in the theft William l..
Jooper, colored, had stolen buffalo
ODE and received twenty lashes, and
David Reed, colored, for larceny, also
eceived twenty lashes. Tn addition to
he whipping each of them has to under
% term OF imprisonment, pay restitu-
ion money, and wear convict's jacket
or six months after their release. The
light was apparently much enjoyed by
be spectators. There was large batch
'hipped on the Saturday previous,
1any of whom cried piteously for mercy
nd begged the sheriff to desist.