Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-10-30

/ that were somewhat boltened 10 those
not entirely familiar with the mysteri
ous resources Of the language of the
French. We were among the early
arrivals before an iron gate in heavy
stone hatchway, on which a small tri-
color was displayed. On either side Of
the gate was the inscription dccreed
Tor all public buildings in France, in
cluding churches-'1dberty, Equality
Fraternity" The open space in front
OF the gate contains a few chestnut
trees not very thrifty and in the cen
tire of the court are fonr large stones in
the pavement where the frame Of the
fatal knife is erected. About ten min
utes after 3 two huge black vans came
up, and were recognisd a as containing
the machinery Of the executloner.--
With them appeared Rcch, the famous
headsman, who is n stout, hearty, res.
olute.looking man, with very decent
face. He wore new silk hat, appear
ing to think something in the way OF
distinction necessary, was quite at case
and his orders were swiftly and noise-
lessly obeyed by aids, who seemed IA
mlliar with their duties He is face,
tiously called by the mob "Monseign-
eur dc Paris" and is q person of i'm
portance. There is much gossip about
his habits and as many rumors relating
to his private affairs as il he were O
Grand Duke or one Of the pretendert
to the throne.
The guillotine is almost as simple an
affair as ladder. Put up for immc
date service by the light of two Ian
terms and one gas lamp, in the midst o.
curious crowd Of reporters and iriend'
of the authorities, it was not handsome
Recently it has been improved. The
triangular bit of steel, called, indifier
emily, the knife and AK, is concealed by
board when drawn up and this IL
thought to be humane, asst masks from
the condemned theinstrument of death
The second Improvement Is the deaden
ing of the sound of the fall of the knife
by india-rubber. This is supposed ia
be mercy TO the spectators whose
nerves are susceptible to shockso of noise
When erected, the height OF the frame
of the guillotine above the pavement
is perhaps fourteen feet. II is painted
a dingy red, dry blood color and pre-
scnts resemblance to section OF o
freladder At the foot on one side II
large basket, and on the other box
Waiting in the chill morning, in the
gloomy assemblage Of the "priyileged,
by faint light under the shade OF the
dusty chestnuts, was wearisome, and
the minutes passed drearily and slow
ly. About 4 o'clock the "machine'
was complete. The bolts were fitted
in their places, guided by skilled and
steady. .hands. The screws turned with
exactness. The ugly knife glided tC
tho top Of the frame on q trial trip, the
long, acute angle of the edge showing
for second, as it answered the cord
by which it is suspended.
Privileged persons increased IN
numbers, and pressed upon the guarc
in manner not dignified In the dis
tance we could hear the hoarse cries
and murmurs Of the monstrous throngs
kept back by files Of soldiers. The
black vans had told the tale that the
hour of expiration was beyond doubt
at hand. Officers with decorations
and swords moved to and fro. The
Commissioner of Security, | think they
call him, appeared, with sash about
his waist. Indications multiplied that
the grave formalities Of administration
that distinguish all proceedings in this
country were in progress. The police
became irritated by the pressure OF The
crowd, and at last manifested their i'm
portanco by driving back the whole
mass without much hyprocrisy OF po
liteness.
The guillotine was during this time
displayed by the two candles of the
lantern of the worlimen. There wai
the basket halfflled with sawdust tC
receive the heads, and the heavy boS
for the trunks, and the little cradle
about two feet above tho stones, with
the place for the necks of the crimi
nails and as the cord by which tht
knife was raised could be seen between
the posts of the frame, it was evident
that the angle of steel rested on the in
dia- rubber improvement, and was moi
elevated and concealed behind the
other improvement at the top of the
machine. At intervals there were
lights from matches used by smokers
revealing parts Of the dismal congrega
ton and the leaves and burs Of the trees
There was not a star to be seen, or O
breath of air to stir leaf.
The Able Crozes appeared, voner
able man, with whitc hair and sad, be
nevolent countenancc, attended by Of
fccrs and passed into the prison
through narrow door in the gate
This incident caused moment OF emo
tion. IL meant business.
Between the hours Of 3 and there
were many coniectures whether Barre
and Lebiez were aware that they were
30 soon to die, and wakeful and able
TO hear through the thick walls the
deep sounds, like the weird voice of the
ocean, that told of the presence Of q
great multitude. 1t was strange TO re-
fleet that perhaps they did not know
of the frightful apparition at the gate
or the pale faces that turned upon it.
The papers tell us that Barre was
awake, having just finished writing
his memories, but that Lebiez slept
profoundly. They were called at a
quarter after four o'clock, and their
toilet made for the embrace OF the gull
lotinc. Barre wanted wine and cigars
Lebicz did not care for anything.
At last the clouds in the east began
to whiten and we who were waiting
and watching and growing weary, saw
that it was dawn. Then we discover
ed that there were classes among the
"privilegcd"--circles within circles
The favored reporters and the select
important persons were passed through
the lines Of police was not Of them
but made my way to the front rank Of
those behind the police, Tor the second
time. A french crowd is uneasy and
flexible, and pcrsistant push will
gradually prevail. The light incrcas-
cd, and tho masses of men became
strangely quiet At half past 3 the
daylight was clear and the iron gates
slowly turned. A group appeared ad
vancing the central figure was q
short man, clean shavcn, with hair Gu,
short, bis chest naked, his arms pin
ioned, his shoulders covered by a tunic
This was Barre. The most miserable
horror was never more strikingly dc
picted in the face of man than in his n
this moment. The removal of his beart