The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1880-10-16

EXECUTION OF TuE KISa.

q picturesque Pen, but IT rs I'M
possible not 10 feel that the exeeu-
toner 1as placed in q aposition to
describe details with greater mi
nuteness than probably any other
person-in a certain sense more
than even the chaplain himself
and that he must have observed
many things that would have es-
capped the eyes of others. giae
The Sansons were in great force
upon this great and solemn occa-
sion. There vas Charles Henry,
the head of the family; Henry, tho
hist torian's father; besides Charlie
magae Samson and another brother,
provincial exeeutioners, who had
volunteered their assistance. Hen
rvs father had TO attend in uni
form as member Of one of the
battalions supplied by each section
on that eventful day, and We are as
sured that he was ready to have
acted in favor Of q rescue had the
occasion presented itself. The rest
Of the Sansons were armed TO the
teeth, and that under thick OYER
coats in which they were en- yeloped.
They were also prepared for q res
cue. -
The subsequent details are given
in the words of Charles Henry
Samson, the executioner:
/ left Mt eight o'clock this morn
ing, The says), after having en-
braced my poor wife and my son,
whom l had no hopes of oversee
ing again, and l stepped into q
hackney carriage with my two
brothers, Charlemagne and Louis.
The crowd in the streets was so
dense that it was nine o'clock be-
fore we arrived at the Place de la
Revolution. .Gros and Barre, my
ASSISTANCE had got the machine up,
but IwAs 80 filed with the idea
that it would not be wanted, that
I scarcely looked at it. My broth
ers and myself We're we'll armed; !;
we had under our wrappers besides
our swords, daggers, four pistols,
powder horns, and our pockets full
Of balls. We felt convinced that
an attempt wonld be made to de-
liver the unfortunate prince, and
that we could not be too well armed
to second such an effort If made.
Arriving on the Place, l looked
about for my son, and l saw him at
some distance with his battalion.
He looked at me expressively, and
seemed to encourage me ins my be.
lief that l should not, upon this
occasion, drink the cup to the dregs.
| also lent an anxious ear TO any
| noise that might forewarn me OF
one Of those attempts at succor
which had been announced to me
the day before. / even rejoiced in
the idea that, perchance, by. that
time the King had been torn from
his escort, and was flying under
the prot sction of devoted friends
unlssS the inconsistent and mobile
populace, whose sentiments are sc
easily changed, had taken him un'
| der their own all.powerful protec.
tion, and had converted the pun.
ishment that had bean prepared
for him into an ovation.
| was aroused from indulgence
in these vain illusions by the pain
full consciousness Of the approach
of the procession.
Ny eyes had turned once Ol
| twice anxiously in the direction Q
the Madeleine. SuAdenly I saw I
body of cavalry. come forward
With a carriage drawn by tw,
| horses, surrounded by . crowd y
horsemen. There was no doub
now about the matter; it was th
martyr who was fhas brought y
the scafSold. My sight became con
fused, an involuntary shudder per
vaded my whole frame; I looked Q
my son, his face was .fvidly pale.
Il The carriage in the meantim
had arrived. The King vas seatet
in the back with . priest, his con
fesser.s whilst on the front sea
| were 6wo gend'armerie. The doc
was opened, the gspd'srnes cap
down first, followed By The venss
able priest, ACQUIRED in the pre-
scribed garments which ! had no
seen for . long time, and then tn
King, more dignified, calm and ma
fljes6c thsn | had ever seen him q
tho Taileries.
On seeing him led towards th
, steps, l cast . glance of despai
) around me but { could see moth
ing but soldiers. The populae
: was. kent, back in the rear, and ap
| pssrod Is if struck with stupol
preserving gloomy silence.
Where are those fberators 30 OF
tentatiopsly announced? Charlie
magne and I were in . state ofcoE
sternation; Louis. younger an
more intrepid, advanced, and takin
on Ma haf in the most respectft
manner. observed to the King tbs
it would be necessary TO remov
his coat.
II He replied; II is useless, 4
: them finish me as / am.