River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-01-30
now MoNcAsr WAS srRANGLED.
The You'd BE ReGicide Publicly GaTr0ted
Madrid Correspondence of the London Stan

n
Madrid Correspondence of the London Stan
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. 1t is a lonely, wild
dreary field, something like a common in
view of the distant chain of the Guantanamo,
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 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 dc Guardias
during the night to prepare the seaffold, and
! they were waiting at daybreak at the Saladero
! prison to go through the formality of asking
| pardon of the convict In the Saladero it had
| been a 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 iobcd in dark-colored penitent
dress and cap. Around his waist was cord
belt and on his hat cross. He had his hands
bound, and he very quietly told his executioner
that he willingly pardoned him. At 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 a strong detachment of soldiers
of the line drawn up near to a closed car
h npLr
ing and ragged driver on the box, and
Moncasi stepped 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 Yalladolid and Jaen,
he of Madrid having died lately. Next came
the brotherhood with lighted tapers, and
priest in robes bearing aloft crucifix. 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 majority of those present on
the road and at the Campo de Guardias were
women and young boys. Such q 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 permanent
character. The crowd on the spot of the execu-
ton, hear from Trustworthy authority, was
so great that it impossible to approach the
scafTold. The prisoner was led in the carriage,
and amid profound silence, within square
formed around the scaffold sby hussars and in
fantry. He alghted with the priests, and
stepped up to the gibbet very eoolly. He sat
down. quite surrounded by the priests and
brethren of the Pazy Carload When they left
bis side the Yalladolid Calcraft had done his
work, and Juan Oiivay Moncasi had ceased TO
live. The crowd very soon dispersed, and not
many people remained to gaze the body,
which is exposed until dusk, according 20
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 kind
took place.