Daily globe., 1879-01-27
HOW MoNCAsI WAS sTRANGLED.
The Woald-Be Regicide P,sb1icly Ga,7'cted
/ Madrid Correspondence of the London Stan
Iar1 =

dard.
Long before daylight stream of people
poured out of Madrid on the roads leading to
the saladero prison. and to the spot called
Campo de Guardias," beyond the northern
suburb of Chambery. It is a lonely, wild
dreary field, something like common. in
view of the distant chain Of the Guardarrama,
and full in sight of Madrid. 1t stands be-
tween two high roads, and the scaffold had
been raised about three feet above the ground
upon large square blocks of stone. 1t is rude
sort OF platform, upon which rises a pole or
gibbet, and wooden bench. The prisoner is
made to sit against the gibbet, and is there
rapidly strangled by two or three executioners.
They had been down to the Campo de Guardias
during the night to prepare the scaffold, and
they were waiting at day ybreak at the Saladero
prison to go through the formality of asking
pardon of the convict. In the Saladero it had
been sleepless night with the authorities and
those who watched the doing criminal. Be-
fore the day had broke on that cold, chilly
morning the priests had aroused Juan Olivia,
and had said three masses in succession, while
he knelt at last, quite moved and weary, we
are told by the vicar himself. He, however,
never, in the course Of those twenty-four hours.
expressed any repentance at having attempted
to kill the king. He submitted almost cheer
fully to be ,obed in a dark-colored penitent
dress and cap. Around his waist was a cord
belt and on his hat a cross. He had his hands
bound, and he very quietly told his executioner
that he willingly pardoned him. At s o'clock
precisely Judge Molina gave the. signal, and all
the soldiers in the halls and passages of the
Saladero stood to attention. The prisoner was
led down stairs by the priests and brethren of
the Pazy Carload. Many of The warders seemed
much moved as Moncasi passed. and he nodded
to one or two of them. At the door of the
Saladero prison strong detachment of soldiers
| N a
rlage drawn by two mules. An uncouth-look-
ing and ragged driver was the box, and
Moncasi rstepped into it without assistance.
The two priests sat by his side, and the officer
gave the order to march with fixed bayonets.
First in the sad procession went two strange,
pale individuals, accompanied by warders
They were the Calcrafts of Valladolid and Jaen,
he of Madrid having died lately. Next came
the brotherhood with lighted tapers, and a
priest in robes bearing aloft crucifx. Next
| was the coach, surrounded by the brethren and
double line of soldiers and police. The crowd
became silent, and then took their caps off as
| the procession moved slowly past. 1t is Curl
| Gus that the vast ma ajority of those present on
the road and at the Campo de Guardias were
women and young boys. Such a collection of
young rogues and ragged youths could hardly
be imagined. The female part Of this herd
was mostly composed Of young girls from the
populous suburbs, and here and there you
could catch sight of sight.seers, who inspire
you with the idea that they oftener than they
choose pay the Saladero visits of a permanent
character The crowd on the spot of the execu.
tion, hear from trustworthy authority, was
! so great that it was impossible to approach the
| scaffold. The prisoner was led in the carriage
and amid profound silence, within square
formed around the scaffold Thy hussars and in.
| fantry. He alighted with the priests, and
! stepped up to the gibbet very coolly. He sat
down, quite surrounded by the priests and
| Of %ho po7 IoI +ba1,1 1afI
bis side the Valladolid Calcraft had done his
work, and Juan Olivay Moncasi had ceased tc
live. The crowd very soon dispersed, and not
many people remained to gaze on the body,
which is exposed until dusk, according tc
Spanish law, with face uncovered. This even.
ing it will be inferred. In the crowd on the
route and during the execution some sympathy
was expressed for the death of SO young a
criminal, but no demonstration of any kint
took place.