New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-11-06
The GUILLOrINE.
Aurat Halstead .sescribes How Two
Murdrrers Had T cir Heads Chopped
-#4 or.

Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial.
Opportunity occurred this morning to
witness the execution of two criminals,
and was at pains to improve the coca
sion. The condemned we're murderers
who had killed an old milk-woman for
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 notary and writer
for the press, and the other q medica
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
,artlstically. The notary struck the vic
tim on the back Of the neck with a
sand club, and the doctor used a surgical
instrument to penetrate the heart and pro-
duce internal bleeding. They were named
Barry the notary, and Lebeiz, the doctor.
When these inte ligent and bloody
scoIndrels had beer detected, tried and
condemned, all of which happened with
in a 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,
sand the prisoners are not notified until
wanted. The people understand that
gerry soon after the prayer for mercy Of
those under capital sentance is refused
ho
seeking to enjoy the spectacle are watch
full accordingly. The representatives OF
the press are allowed to know the ar
engagements Of the authorities, that they
NAV srtify that the work has been done.
Hearing that the execution would take
place at half-past O'Clock this morning.
started for the spot about Having a
rendezvous with some journalists at
cafe where black coffee was the favolite
beverage Of the hour, though brandy was
in competition as refreshment.
When we arrived. few minutes be-
fore o'clock. within 800 yards of La
Roquette,' the streets were filled with
peop.e, who were restrained by strong
force of police from crowding upon the
prison doors. There were many sinister
faces in this mass of men and women
and the excitment was Fl rec. ALI streets
leading to the prison we're guarded by
police in force, backed by cavalry. The
latter were once used in a Gathering
chargc 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 cenjectured that
there would not be further delay, and it
was the the third night that they had as.
.sembled at midnight and waited in strag
sgling 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 ia heavy stone archway, on
which we read, depot of the Condemned"
and over which small tri-color was dis.
played. On either de of the gate was
the inscription decreed for ali 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 were recognized as containing
the machinery Of the executioner. Wieh
+ them appeared Rocb, the famous heads
man, who is a stout, hearty, resolute- look
ing man, with very decent face. He wore
a new silk hat, appearing to think some
thing in the way of distinction necessary,
vas quite at ease, and his orders were
3wiftly and noiselessly obcyed by aids
who seemed familiar with their duties.
&c is facetiously called by the m b .'Mon-
eur de Paris, and is a person of import
.nce. There is as much gossip about his
habits, and as many rumors relating to
his private affairs as if te were grand
duke or one of the pretenders to the
throne.
The guillotine is almost as simple an
affair as ladder. Put up for immedi-
ate service by the light of two
lanterns and a gas-lamp, in the midst
ola curious crowd Of reporters and
friends OF the authorities, it was not hand
come. Recently it has been improved
The triangular bit of steel, called indif.
ferently he knife and the axe, is conceal
ed by board when drawn up: and this
il thought to be humane, as it MASKS
from the condemned the instrument OF
death. The second improvement is the,
.deadenipg of the sound Of the iall' of the