Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-02-12
EXECUTION OF PIRATES.
Chinese Method of Getting rid OF
CrinAinalA.

Criminals.
A correspondent writing from Shang-
hai says 81 went to see six Chinese
pirates boheaded yesterday. The open
square where all the executions take
place was filed with Chinese of all ages
and conditions, and few Europeans
among them. The prisoners were the
most forlorn starvelings | ever saw, and
betrayed no more fear Mt their approch-
ing fate than if they were to be specta-
tors of an execution. A huge Tartar
officiated as executiouer. He was armed
with native sword, and stood on n small
platform i'll the center of the square.
After the criminals, with their hands
tied behind, had been taken upon the
stage, the executioner took one of the
pirates by the arm, brought him to the
edge of the platform, hit hlm sharp rap
with his hand ON the head, which caused
the poor fellow to bow his head, and
then the executioner's sword went up,
was poised III the air full half minute.
and with q sweep the glittering blade
descended, and the poor criminals head
went on in one direction and the body in
the other. One by one the others met
their death IN the same way, the Tartar
making Il very short, busincss-hke Job of
it, merely turning to receive the plaudits
OF the crowd after each head rolled oil.
and responding with grin which showed
every one of his teeth. But the stolidity
of the poor wretches was beyond Iescrip-
| ton.
Not n muscle uuiverod And even
when waiting for the blade OF the execu-
toner to fall could not detect sign Of
emotion. The crowd seemed to enjoy
the sight inmmsely, and set up a yell
Of delight Mt each cut of the Tartar's
sword. | am told that executions are
common here. Sickeuod with the sight
| went down one of the roads, and, com
ing Ia Il prison, went in. OF all the
places III this world believe there is not
one where so much abject wretchedness
can be seen rs in Chinese prison The
criminals serving out sentence get but
one meal week from the authorities.
The rest of the time they are fed by
their friends, if they have any; by the
contributions of visitors, or they s,arve.
! had not much money pith me on going
in, but came out penniless, the poor
creatures SO working ON my feelings.
Some of the prisoners had lost hand
others were heavily moned, and all wore
the same pinched and starved look.
saw three women IN process of execution
for numbering n man. They were hang
cd 10y the neck in u kind of wooden
stocks SO arranged that their feet could
Just touch The ground, and were left in
this condition till dead Sometimes
death ensues very soon, but oftener II
day or two viii pass before the poor
wretch dies, as there is no pressure ON
the neck. wns glad to get away from
this place, too. But the piteous tones
Of the poor prisoners, begging for cum
shaw Ca presently, ring in my ears yet. 7"
The Russian condensed cake forfeeding
horses IN the field being thought to have
proved failure, the boxes of this food
were aold IN Paris soon after the war in
great quantities tor 2H. per box. After
thorough trial IN the iramway stables
and elsewhere, the food has been found
SO valuable that The price has risen TO