The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-07-19
An Execution in Russia.


a spectator Of the execution of Solo
yieif, the young Russian who attempted to
assassinate the Gar, sends to the London
Netos tue following description.
" A platform something less than three
feet 10 height, had been erected 10 the
field about one hundred yards from the
Great Prospect. On this we're placed two
upright posts, aud cross.bar was affixed
TO these, with duplicate arrangements Of
ropes, which certainly seemed very slight.
The second was evidently provided in case
Of any accident with the other. Toward
the back part Of the platform, and 10 the
middle, was third upright post, against
which subsequently, the prisoner stood.
It is called By the Russians the "post Of
shame" There was also block of wood,
two to three feet in height, on which It was
evidently intended the prisoner would be
placed. At Ga. NJ. probably some fifteen
hundred people had assembled, mostly
from the immediate neighborhood, attract
ed by the preparations that had been in
course Of completion through the light
summer night. No soldiers had arrived
up to this time, nor any large number Of
police. These gradually increased, and
about o'clock two prison vans arrived,
containing two ccnvicts in prison dress,
brought from the fortress, whose functions
we're to assist the executioner as he might
require assistance. BY 8 O'Clock a con.
siderable body Of troops had arrived. AL.
together three batalions Of infantry, two
sotnias Of Cossacks and large BODY Of
mounted gendarmes were on the ground
These and the police kept the Great Pros.
pect clear Immediately and for some little
distance in front of the field where the
scaffold was erected, and also guarded the
''lines" at right angles as well as the ground
behind At 9 o'clock the general 10 com
mand arrived, and at halfpast 8 the Minis
ter Of Justice, the Governor General OIL
St. Petersburg and the Police Prefect.
AT ten minutes to 10 the condemned
man and his escort appeared, the Cossack
leading, then a company Of grenadiers, anC
then cart (''telega," as it is called sur
rounded by mounted gendarmes. The
prisoner was seated on an elevated bench
with his back to the horse and his hand
tied to rods fixed in the cart He was il
the ordinary dress Of criminal of tn
privileged class-black coarse cloak, blacI
cap, without peak, and white trousers
On his breast was large black board
with the words estate Criminal writteI
in white letters. The executioner at one
approached and assisted him to alighi
The prisoner then with firm step ascend
cd the platform, standing at the post 9
shame with his hands tied. The orde
was given to "present arms" the execu
toner took of Solovieff7s cap, and the SCI
tence was read. During reading the pr
soner appeared unmoved, and looked re
peatedly on the crowd from side to sid,
Immediately the reading of the sentcnc
was finished, priest assembled the steps
the platform with a cross in his hand an
advanced toward the prisoner, who move
his head and said 81 do not wish il
do not wish it. The priest bowed as
retired, and the prisoner acknowledged b
farewell greeting in the same way. Th
placard was then taken of, the drum
rolled, the hands Of the prisoner we're vi
tied, the exeeutioneer put on long whit
dress which covered his head and reachC
to his feet, the hands being wrapped
underneath. He then conducted the CO.
demned man to the block, where be stoo
after the cord was adjusted, aud in fe
seconds all was over About halfan hor
afterwards black coffin was brought
the platform. The assistants helped II
executiOner to place the corpse in it, th
medical officer Of the police certified as |
the death, and, under an escort of Co
sacks aud mounted gendarmes, the cofi
was carted away to be inferred, as ! al
Informed, In the burial ground for su
cides.