Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-27
THE GU1LLOTINE.
Hurat Halstead describes How Two
Murderers Had TT cir Heads Chopped

LII
nurat Halstead .-scribes How Tw'
Murdsrers Had =. cir Heads CHOPPED
Cores ondence Cincinnati Commercial.
Opportunity occurred this morning t
witness the execution of two criminals
and I was at pains to improve the occa
sion. The condemned were murderers
who had killed an old milk-woman 70,
her money. She had, by fifteen years
hard work and close saving, accumulated
$4,000, and furnished milk to the men,
one of whome was a notary and a writer
for the press, and the other medical
student. The notary had knowledge of
money matters, and the old woman told
him of her wealth, with view to its bet
ter investment. He proposed to the doc
tor the killing, and division of the money.
There was much care taken to do the job
artistically. The notary struck the vic
tim on the back Of the neck with a
sand club, and the doctor used surgical
instrument to penetrate the heart and pro-
duce internal bleeding. They were named
Barry the notary, and Lebeiz the doctor.
When these int ligent and bloody
scolndrcls had been detected, tried and
condemned, all of which happened with
in few weeks, the marshal president
refused to interfere with the execution of
the sentence of death. It is the French
fashion to execute those thus doomed to
die with the guillotine in the public
street in front of the prison without max
ing known the exact time. It is the cos
tom to use the knife.aXe at day break,
and the prisoners are not notified until
wanted. The people understand that
very soon after the prayer for mercy Of
those under capital sentance is refused
the guillotine will be used, and those
seeking to enjoy the spectacle are watch
full accordingly. The representatives of
the press are allowed to know the ar
rangements Of the authorities, that they
may certify that the work has been done.
Hearing that the execution would take
place at half past o'clock this morning,
I started for the spot about Having a
rendezvous with some journalists at a
cafe where black coffee was the favorite
beverage of the hour, though brandy was
In competition as refreshment.
When we arrived, few minutes be-
fore 8 o'clock, within 800 yards of Ella
Roquettc," the streets were filed with
people, who were restrained by strong
force of police from crowding upon the
prison doors. There we're many sinister
faces in this mass of men and women
and the excitment was ftrce. All streets
leading to the prison were guarded by
police in force, backed by cavalry. The
lott 1uara Cpoo ,,o,.I - Il -.
charge to drive back the violent multi
tude. Only the few knew that the exc
cution was positively fixed for that morn
ing. The many had conjectured that
there would not be further delay, and it
was the the third nj ght that they had as.
sembled at midnight and waited in strag
Cling crowds for the dismal drama.
As the privileged persons passed
through the line of police they were
greeted with storm of imprecations that
were somewhat softened to those not en-
tirely familiar with the mysterious re-
sources Of the language of the French.
We were among the early arrivals before
an iron gate in a heavy stone archway, on
which we read, depot of the Condemned, !"
and over which small tri-color was dis.
played. On either side of the gate was
the inscription decreed for all public
buildings in France, including churches
"Liberty, Equality, fraternity" The
open space in front of the gate contains a
few chestnut trees, not very thrifty. and
in the center of the court are four large
stones in the pavement, where the frame
Of the fatal knife is erected. About ten
minutes after 3, two huge black vans came
up, and we're recognized as containing
the machinery of the executioner. With
them appeared Roch, the famous heads
man, who is stout, hearty, resolute-l look
ing man, With a very decent face. Hewore
new silk hat, appearing to think some
thing in the way Of distinction necessary,
was quite at ease, and his orders wete
swiftly and noiselessly obeyed by aids
who seemed familiar with their duties
He is facetiously called by the mob 'Mon-
seur de Paris and is person of import.
ance. There is as much gossip about his
habits, and as many rumors relating tc
his private affails as if he were q grand
duke or one of the pretenders to the
throne.
1HC SUlllOttuC Is dlulOSC SS SllH PIC az
affair as ladder. Put up for immedi.
ate service by the light of two
lanterns and gas-lamp, in the mids,
of curious crowd of reporters and
friends OF the authorities, it was not hand
some. Recently it has been improved
The triangular bit OF steel, called indif.
ferentIy he knife and the axe, is conceal.
ed by board when drawn up; and this
is thought to be humane, as it MASKS
from the condemned the instrument oil
death. The second improvement is the
deadening OF the sound of the 1all of the
knife by india-rubber. This is supposed
to be mercy to the spectators whose
nerves are susceptible to shocks of noise
When erected, the height of the frame Of
the gallotine above the pavement is per.
haps fourteen feet. 1t is painted dingy
red-a dry blood color-and presents 8
resemblance to section of a fire ladder
At the foot Of one side is large basket
and on the other a box. Waiting in the
chill morning, in the gloomy assemblage
of the .'privileged," by faint light
under the shade of dusty chestnuts, was
wearisome, and the minutes pa sec
drearily and slowly. About 4 o'clock The
"machine" was complete. The bolt.
wero fitted in their places, guided By