The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-11-23
THE GUILL0TINE.
HOW ITS DEADLY WORK IS DONE.
An Ex.es,Ion In German. at pa,br.ak-A Lusidl
Description Of the Maehlns-Ths Aodus
Opsrandi OF the Exscutitnsr-k Cool
Criminal on the searald. /

Correspondence Of he IRtt1igaeer.
WRIMAR, GERMANY, November 3,-Early
yesterday morning-it was at break Of day
your correspondent wended his way to-
ward the prison where, already, FIVE or six
hundred individuals had gathered and
were guarded by the police. A criminal
was to be beheaded, aud excitement Was
high. Finding the method and ceremony
somewhat different from that in America,
and thinking 1t might prove interesting to
some Of your numerous readers, will de-
scribe It.
The execution took place in the court Of
the prison-a building, by the way, which
has been standing several centurieG-
where were assembled the policemen and
from thirty to forty WITNESSES. But q lin.
tied number OF tickets were issued, and
these were eagerly taken-a number 0f
tho recipients being officials from other
cities.
Tho yard was probably 90 feet square,
guarded on the four sides by the walls of
the prison. A dog house, watering trough,
pigeon house, table and a few chairs were
the sole ornaments t?) save the horrible
guillotne, which was soon 10 deprive q
man o! his life. This was constructed in
the following manner: A box platform
ives built supported by four pillars, mount
ing to which were two steps. From
the centre Of the platform. o frame
work was erected, two posts probably
twelve ieet high and crof s.bar at the top
to hold the knife or sword, in part-the
posts, Of course, were grooved on theinner
sides that the sword might slide. The
latter wGs further held in position by
means Of a bolt, which, being drawn, let
the knife descend. in shape, the blade
was triangular, being the hall Of square.
Its weight was seventy pounds. AT the
bottom OF the framework and on the sur
face OF the platform, rested another sword
also triangular, and forming with that
at the top perfect square. A rest tor the
head was also fixed Just aboSe the lower
blade. Under the rest wal placed chest
full OF sawdust 10 catch the head as 1t fell
from the body. II
THE EXECUTION.
A few minutes before7, appeared the jus.
tices and officers Of the court the tirst and
second attorneys general, judge Of the
court, counsellor Of justice and the clerk,
all with the full insignia OF the positions.
With them came the executioner and his
assistant who stopped to each side OF the
stairway leading to the scaflold. The
physicians ranged themselves, likewise, on
either side the guillotine. At exactly z
o'clock the judges gave the signal, the red
flag was holsted above the building, the
death clock struck, and the prisoner de-.
scended into the court accompanied
by the sheriff and his spir-
| itual adviser. Not muscle trembled
nor q single fear blanched his countenance
COOL CRIMINAL.
With all the grace of o Chesterfield, he
raised his hand in military fashion, saluted
the assembly with "Good morning, my gen.
tlemen," and stepped boldly 10 the guillo.
tine. The esentence being read and the pris.
oner asked If he had anything to reply, the
doomed man answered, INC; may you live
in peace, gentlemen" The clerk Having
once more read the death sentence, and
the prisoner having spoken his last words:
SCOT Ftr9sbe mir" (God forgive me,) the
judge gave him up with these words.
II surrender to the headsman this
criminal for the execution Of the
judgment." The executioner who was
dressed in blsck-full evening dress-white
vest and bare head, es though about TO-
enter drawing-room, with his assistant
took him in charge. The criminal was
stripped OF bis clothing half way down his
breast and bound, while standing erect,
fast to plank with strong bands. Utter.
ing no word Of protest, not o murmer as
the thought OF his impending death must
have rushed upon him, as thus bound, he
was laid horizontally, face downward, and
his head placed In the fatal rest 1mme-
diately the bolt was drawn, the death bell
sounded the doleful tunes, the sword fell
with fearful velocity, and one soul less
breathed Goods air." A sickening sight
It was Is the headman picked from the bas.
ket the head aud held 1t by the hair TO the
gaze OF the company. A prayer from the
minister and the words: "1'he earnest act
OF the law is now ended" from the Judge,
and the last scene oi the bloody drama
was ended. .s.s q
no DELAYS.
But how long did all this takeP Will
you believe it2 From the moment the
criminal enters the court TO the decap-
itation but four minutes passed by; from
the moment he mounted the scatfold but
one minute and forty.ive seconds elapsed
I'LL his head rolled lifeless member from
his body. mo bungling no breaking Of
ropes, no undue procrastination was here.
Formerly more ceremony still was at
tendant upon an execution. Besides what
| have mentioned, soldiers in full uniform
were pre- Ient; drummer boys also, to drown
the sound otthe fall and the death rattle.
But recent, law iorbiis this and gives
tho presence OF the soldiers to the police
dispenses altogether with the drummer
boys and the drums-the death:clocks only.
pealing and ticking away the lapse oftime.
II tho guillotine is more bloody and
therefore more reDulsive to the sight-shll
Is It not better ana more civilized; than the
scal'old? Often In America poor unfor-,
tunate suffers minutes, and by the bungr
ling OF the executioner Is often compelled
10 be hanged twice-yea, even thrice.
Could anything be more barbarous? 80
SWIFT AND suRR DEATH. Frf
Did we have even, as England, a national
hangman who understood his work, who
studies his plans, whoi is by practice steady
in nerve-iar better would It be than as
nova county officer also acts In the
capacity, probably but once in lifetime
overcome by excitement and fear bungles
80 frightiully. In Germany, also, there are
professional executionerg, tho best Of
whom, Krout7, ia as widely known as was
Marwood in England, and who is raid to
be man excelently educated and versed
in the history OF his time.
The question is not debatable that the
guillotine Ia even surer and quicker, and
are not certainty and rapidity what are
wanted? There is no suffering but for the,
moment, no possibility that the neck may,
not be broken. Sensation Ia stopped in an