Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-09-05
From Figaro, August 18th
A FRENCH EXECUTION.
The Notorious AssassiR-GCrvais
Bcheaded at pariS-A Model
TAkinT-Otf

Gervais, the assassin of BOis CO.
lombes, was gullOtincd yesterday. At
2.3O p, NJ. on Friday Marshal Mac
Mahon signed the death warrOnt, and
five minutes later secret oders for the
execution had been transmitted to the
military commander to furnish the
escort to the carpenter to erect the
eCatlOld, to the Prefect OF Police to
make the necessary details, to the
clerk of the court, the governor Of the
prison, the chaplain, and the eXecu-
toner. AT a. NJ. OF Saturday the
police cleared the streets in the vicinity
of the prison, which had already been
crowded with spectators, many of
whom were women and children. AT
2:l5 the guillOtinp, which NJ. ROch
calls the BiiOu, 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 hamnIering so ominOus to
the cuIprit. y gray -whislIered man of
lofty stature superintends the Process.
1t j. NJ. ROch, the cXecutinncr. He
smOkrs Il cigar while narrowly exam
lining the hanging Of the axe, the
placing of the wicker basket, filled
with bran. for the severed head, and
tho buckets OF water to clean the seat
fold. Hu tries the fall of the axe, hut
the heat made the wood shrink, and il
does not run true in tho groove. so he
wedges the frame till the uXe SLIPS
satisfactorily.
"Will Gefvais resist?" We ask.
II don't know, hut / think not
They are half dead when they come
out to Inc, and have never had any
trouble with one of them yet"
"Wili he speak TO the crowd?"
Speak? Why, they would all speak
if we gave them time to do So"
Gervais 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 sentence. Only thirty-two
of these have expired. He is tranquil;
supped heartily last night; played n
game of cards with the turnkey; beat
him, and went to bed saying:
III give you your revenge to- NOR
row."
4:O5 A: M.-The guard arrives and
is posted. Arrive also pAbbe Croaes,
the prison chaplain; the commissioner
of police, and the clerk of the court.
Everybody turns pale and is silent till
two women; who have nerved them
selves for the occasion with copious
draughts, fall Off the roof of the car
rage to which they have climbed
Thereon every one laughs.
4:lO.-They enter the carriage
Gervals is sleeping quietly. The turn
key shakes him by the shoulder; he
opens his eyes. turns over, and is again
composing himself to sleep, when the
Governor says:
"Gervais, your appeal is rejected.
Courage, man; the time has come"
He does not understand apparently,
and sits on the side of the bed stupidity
rubbing his eyes and yawniug.
"lmpOssible!" he stammers at last;
"yOu are only trying to scare mel"
The Keepers have removed his strait
jacket and are dressing him rapidly
and noiselessly. ... -.0
''This is horrible" he says hOarsely
"Can society commit such n crime?'
While the clerk is reading the war
rant pAbbe Crozes embraces and calms
him, and forces him TO drink q glass
Of brandy. Before they bind him he
gives the priest his watch and seven
and half francs 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 cOnVul-
sively and means:
II am Innocent this IL mul der!"
At this moment an official, covered
with dust, hurries to the Jail. and
every one without mistakes him for
the bearer of reprieve. 1t is only
fireman fresh from a small fire desir-
GUS of reporting to the chief0f police.
4!3S.-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 convulsively away from the axe.
The abbe embraces him; NJ. Roch lays
his large hand on his shoulder.
mo, no; not so soon-one momentp
He is strapped to the plank, but not
so firmly that he cannot slightly move
his head, and when the axe falls It
shears away the base of the skull
From the time that the door opened
fourteen seconds have elapsed; six only
since nj. ROCh laid hands on him,