New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-15
TUE HEADSMAN or PARIS.
From The Lon6on GLohe.


NJ Deber the PARIS executioner, enjoys a sine
cure. Since NJ. GTevy was called to the presidency
of the Republic. the ideas of Victor Hugo have been
allowed TO prevail, and no executions have taken
place, The actual gulllotine differs consid
eraby from that which is seen at Madame ruSsauds
and is supposed to have rendered such sangulnary
service To the first Republicans. AS Monsieur de
Paris remarks 1t is perfection itself, and none but
chur would refuse to place his neck III the iHRe6
"a line with the bright Sharp knives which are kept
locked leather case at the private residence of
the dread official, close to La Roquette Nj. Deib.er
is a quiet man, impressed with the functions ill.,
trusted to him. lie is of retiring disposition, rs if
that the Office he holds places him beyond the
pale of ordinary men, and causes hun TO Dc looked
down by the rest of his fellow creatures. No one
would think, while visiting HIM IN his quiet home
that he has been the means OF hurrymg hundreds
into eternity, or would remember how TrOppmann,
the murderer of the knck family, hal bitten bin 10
the bone when he assisting at the execution of
one of the most cOd.bloOGed aSsassiDs of modern
times. The apartment he occupies Is over the stable
where the guilotne is kept packed away until III
wanted for use and those who describe their visits
to the executioner, and relate how he cut truss Of
straw in two to show the working of bis instrument
have every reason to be thankful for well-de-
velOped imagination. NJ. Delbler Is tailor by trade,
and moro than workingman in the quarter OF
La ROquete has had his clcthesTepalred by him. He
is not communicative man, and the idea that his
name VIII appear III print makes him nervous for on
one or two occasions he has been taken 10 task by
the Pansian journalists. who have accused him of
unnecessary roughness. His looks hardly bear ont
such charge, for there is nothing of the bully
about him, ard those who meet him Of q Sunday
afternoon, when he takes lis wife ont for walk
with him along the boulevards. would take him TO
be an ordinary workingman bent on enjoyment
There Is nothing picturesque about him. Ihe
tights and the red leather erkin of his predecessor
are quite unknown 10 him. lie thinks IL due to tho
soemnlty of the occasion, when his services are re-
quired, to q suit Of black clothes and stove
pipe hat lie is II plan, matter-oi-iact man. none
too brave if what his wife says true. Tie requires
according to her version, considerable number Oh
" Dutch drops before his courage can be raised 10
concert pitch. He accepted the post the reSigna-
ti0n of NJ. Hendrich, whose valet he had been for
many years. Custom has not hardened bim ite
seems to feel the responsibility of shedding the
blood of fellow creature, moro especially IN eases
with prisoners like Moreau the herbllist OF SAINT
Denis, who declared at the foot of the glilllotlne
that he died innocent Most of those who have
passed through the hands of the present execuoner
have admitted their guilt, but even so he remains
gloomy and silent for several days afterwards. Tho
Government pays HIM about EGO per annum. Ont
of this sum he has to provide his assistants and no
perquisites are attached TO his Office. The con-
demned man is brought out of La Roquette with his
coat thrown over his shoulders hide tue vest and
shirt which have been cut away so as not to impede
the downward stroke of the knife. The COATS
removed when the criminal is pushed against thd
plank which throws him forward on to the guillo-
tine, and this garment is tho only guerdon Of tho
executOner.