The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-02-20
VOL. 1l.---NO. 40.
Japanese Mode Of Execution.

L
nal was about 20 be publicly put to
death. and the morbid curiosity
which has more or less stronghold
upon most of rs induced ne 70 sal
ly forth aHd witness the execution.
This Is what saw:
When reached the place ap-
pointed to carry into effect the capi-
tai sentence, the unfortunate convict
a fine-leoking Japanese. in the prime
of youth aad strength, was standing
under huge post in the middle or
a little posse of guards. The post
had cross.piece. Nearly nude. he
was standing erect, but as motion-
less as q statue while his fearless
but dreamy eyes gazed straight into
the distance before him, - if he was
looking ab some far off object visible
only to his abstracted vision. There
was no token of terror in his determ
ined face, no sign OF shrinking in his
quiescent but stensely strung body.
Presently there was a movement
| among the little knot Of those sur
rounding him. His jailors moved
aside, and there strobe into the cir
Gle q gaunt repulslve loo king native,
clad from head TO foot in dresa of
di2gy yellow The executioner=-
for it was he-Was accompanied by
q couple of assistants, who carried
some half dozen long, round bambOo
rods, about a couple OF fingers
thick at their largest end, and taper
ing to half that size at the other,
which was sharply pointed. The
rods were laid upon the ground, and
the trinity of death clapped hold Of
the living statue before them. In a
trice the human efigy, who made no
attempt at resistance, and who, as
far as observed. never even open
ed his lips. was gritnly dangling on
the post, his arms stretched:out right
and left along the cross-piece.
There was now q slight pause.
The exeoutioners dallied with the
bambOos, and the poor creature
spread.eagled on the post sill looked
into the shadowy dis ancs, still was
dumb; but thought could detect
a yellow pahor stealing up his face.
Perhaps he was collecting all his
resolution to meet the terrible or
deal he knew was close upon him.
The principal executioner. who
meanwhile had selected couple OF
bsmboos to his mind, now stepped
to the left side of his expectant VIC
tim, spat upon the point OF one Of
his weapons. and with a twisting.
pushing motion. thrust it easily into
the flesh about halfway between the
hip and the arm-pit. The poor
wretch upon the GROSS turned his
gaze slowly down upon his tOrmen-
tor, and his lips slightly opened.
But he made no struggle, he uttered
no cry. His resolution, his courage
we're superhumau. Hooked at the
executioner. He was canly contiRu-
ing to push aud wiggie the bamboo
further into the bsdy. In couple
of minutes, though it seemed much
longer the bloody poiptofth the instru-
ment emerged from the top of the
sufferers shoulder.
There was slight exclamation Of
satisfaction from the crowd, Just the
sort of hum that escapes from those
watching q daring swimmer when
his head appears above the surface
after o. long dive; and the fend at
the other end of the bamboo stop
ped wiggliag, let go his hold. and
and stepped back.
Now, thought, he is going to
give the poor tortured creature his
coup de grace. Not a bit of it. He
crossed to the opposite side Of the
post, camly inserted the second
weapon in the same spst ON the suf.
ferer's other flank, and worked away
till it, too, came out above the arm
pit. All this time not o single
groan, not one desparing cry for
mercy escaped the man thus doubly
impaled. His head dropped q little
upoa his chest and his eyes were
half closed, but he was evidently
alive and conscious.
At this moment. to my amaze
msnt, the exeeutioner and his assIs.
tapts. picking up the unused BAN
boos began TO walk away.
'.What," ! asked, lis the execu-
tion ended? Are they going to
leave the man I'm that fearful
agonyr' s4 fafa
"Oh, yes" was told; ''alI is
over. The criminal ia finished with.
He will die presently--in an hour,
two hours. or, as he seems very
strong, perhaps not till nightfall;
but nobody will tench him any more.
The bamboos will be left in him, and
| when he il quite exhausted he will
expire
| could bear no more. / was
powerless to interfere. but. sick at
| Tbe harhorn,,a nrnoifv had fnaf