Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-04-03
Hanging and MhLppIng Afghans.

ranging ana whipping AIRhahs.
A London Standard letter from the
seat Of war in Afghanistan describes the
punishment inflicted upon some native
prisoners, AZ follow: Between the SOL
diers hundreds OF natives could be seen
squatting patiently for the proceedings
to commence, and il was curious TO no.
tice here and there Afghans with their
long black hair, sitting quietly among
the crowd of Hindoos. A party OF low
caste Hindoos we're busy digging large,
square hole close TO the gallows. Every
body understood its use. To the right
the men OF the Hussars were quietly ex-
ercising their horses, and the fields
above them were dotted with soldiers
belonging TO the Sinety-second High
landers, who were quite content 10 see
the execution from a distance. At
eleven O'Clock a company Of the Twen-
ty-firHt marched down to the gallows
with six prisoners in their midst.
Two were to be lashed and four to be
hanged. The four condemned men
were singled out and led TO the front.
Their dress consisted only of long,
blue cotton shirt and loose pygamas
tied in at the ankles. In two Of the in.
stances the shirts we're a mass Of rags
frayed into ribbons at the edges, and
holding wonderfully together. None Of
them wore sandals or head dresses.
There they stood staring curiously
around them with their jet hair hang
ing over their faces and their hands
strapped behind their backs, and all
looking thoroughly desperate ruffians.
The provost marHhAl, n stout-b built ser
geant OF the Tenth Hussars, showed
each man bis plank and made him walk
across il. This all the men did without
much compulsion. They did not appear
TO realize what was about TO happen 10
them, and kept looking over their
shoulders TO see what was going on.
Their legs we're strapped together.
What appeared 70 be their old blue pug
garees or turbans were tied over their
faces, and the nooses were fixed round
their nccks. Then they appeared to
realize what was coming, and all COM
menoed crying. out prayers to Allah.
While they were doing this one Of the
prisoners who was standing behind wait
ing for his hogging shouted out TO them
that they were never 10 mind; he would
be left alive and he would avenge their
deaths. All eyes were turned toward
him, but only for a second, "a the scene
being enacted In front was Of more alb
sorbinR interest. -Four European sail-
ors caught mp ropes attached TO the
plAnking, a signal vas given, and they
pulled Rt the same moment. sweeping
away the scAfTold and launching the
prisoners into the air. But IL vRs only
for second that the condemned men
hung. The cross beam creaked and
broke with a startling crash, and the
four men fell 10 the ground hanging,
half resting their feet upon the earth.
Scarcely had any person time to feel
Mortified at this unfortunate accident,
before the provost marshal drew his re-
volver and sent a bullet through each
mans brain. One of the Afghans was
then stripped naked and tied up to one
Of the poles OF the gallows. A stAlwart
hussar gave him a dozen and Q half
iRshes as warmly as his arm could lay
on, then another hussar completed the
three dozen. The fellow grinned con-
siderably. but bore the logging marvel
ously. He never uttered a groan the
whole time he Was receiving lis punish
ment One OF the hussars threw his
clothes at him and told him roughly to
salaam. This the man did not under.
stand. 1t was a grim joke at the best.
He quietly put on his clothes-they
we're but rags-and coolly asked il he
might go. He Was told that the next
time he was caught with q loaded rife
near n British camp he would not get
of 20 easily, and then he was marched
across the river by two armed SikhE,
who gave him parting push with right
good will. The other man who was TO
have been Hogged was marched back TO
camp in custody.