Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-02-13
Cruel Punishment


E. Wheelock, n gentleman who re-
sided on Puget Sound for several
yeas, and specialized in real estate
both in Seattle and Olympia. About
seven years since he left Seattle for
South America and the last heard
from him is through the ST. Louis
Republican, which publishes the toll
lowing details of his sutferings
while near the equator: "John 4.
Wheelock, e respectable resident of
Brooklyn, who arrived from Venezu-
ella, tells frightful story Of torture
bv the authorities. He had been a
mine superintendent, and on prepar-
ing to start for home he inadvertant-
~ showed to Giovanni Patroni,
whose guest he was, 5000 in cash.
The next day he was arrested on
the charge of robbing Patroni's safe
of 81, 200. General Sotillo, who
arrested him and acted as magistrate,
on hearing his plea of not guilty,
passed rope through his arms and
hanged him up on the wall in such
II position that soon put him in great
agony. All the time his tormenters
said if he would tell where the stol-
en- money was concealed they would
release him. This being OF no avail,
they then hanged him up head down
ward by the ankles until he became
unconscious. They dashed water
in his face, and he revived and
begged of them to kill him. After
hours of torture they cast him into
prison, and three days afterwards
released him. He made complaint
to the American Consul at Bolivia
and the authorities did what they
could to atone for the outrage, dis
missing Gen. Sotillo from the SER
vice. This statement made by him
can be relied upon as true, as he is
eminently truthfuly and straight
forward in his daily life; and our
Government should see to it that lie
is amply compensated for the suffer-
ings and insults heaped upon him.
MIR. S. T.. Northcut of Marion
county, Oregon, while On his way
home from Portland, with $4,000 in
his possession, the price of his crop
of wheat, was stopped by a man
with shotgun within u mile of his
own home, in broad daylight, and
robbed of the whole amount. Mr..
N. made no resistance, doubtless be-
ing unarmed and distressing his
aoility to repel the bold highwayman.
If Gov. Ferry hadn't ruled out the
proxies at the late meeting of the
Republican Central Committee, the
recommendation for his own appoint
ment as Governor would not have
been uanarimous. The Governor
knows how to organize conventions
and run committees.
ALAND-sLIDE on Frazer river, few
days ago, precipitated about thirty
acres of land into the stream. 1t
has formed an island sourrounded
by deep water, with forest trees
growing upon it. A farmer named
Edge received serious injury from
the moving debris.
OREGoN seems to be gaining an
unenviabe notoriety for the perpe-
tration of capital offersos. Portland
papers OF the past week contain the
sanguinaty details of two murders,
one committed at Monmouth and
the other in Clackmas county.
!
-
TIE New York Express says that
| frauds in velvets have been discovered
in tue Custom House. That's moth
new. Frauds in velvets can be
found in almost any city, and you
don't have to look in the Custom
House for them, either.
THERE are some people in this
world who imagine they find happi,
ness in forcing other people to he
unhappy. They'll discover their
mistake in the hereafter, however.
THE Steilacoom Express is now the
official paper of Pierce county, the
MtcNigcnccr having relinquished the
contract awarded it last May, in IA
vor Of Mr.. Maxwell.