Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-08
THE WHIPPING POST.
Furnishing a Hardened Criminal
With the Cato Nine Tails"
Counting the Strokes.
A british sIRn-0f-Warsman Stur-
oily WELDING the Lash.

utiy WAeAuAhk tne Lash.
Special to New York Herald.
HALIFAX, N. s., October 2.-For
the first time in the history OF the
maritime provinces the 'cat-o' nine
tails has been used on the back of a
civil prisoner Last evening Andrew
Doyle, a man we'll known about Hall.
fax for his brutal disposition and who
was convicted last October OF an as.
sault on SIX year old girl, received
the punishment above mentioned in
the yard Of the county Jail. He was
sentenced to nine months imprison-
ment, during which time he should
receive twenty lashes on the bare back.
The whipping, which was administered
in the Jail yard, was performed by
sailor belonging to Her Majesty's war
ship Griffin, now at this port. There
were only six persons present, inolud-
ing two newspaper men. An iron tri
angle. consisting of three bars, each
about nine feet in length. was erected
in the yard for the purpose.
DREADING THE LASH.
The prisoner had been dreading the
infliction of the lash, but had not been
informed OF the impending whipping
until the officer entered the jail about
5 o'clock m. When told that the
time had arrived Doyle trembled VIC.
lently. He was directed to strip to |
the waist, which he did. With |
swinging walk he approached the |
dreaded triangle. The sailor who was
to 90 the whipping stood there quietly |
pulling cigar, apparently think n
very little Of the work before him, lie
held 10 his hand two slender cats" |
The whip beyond the handle was a
little over a foot in length, the nine
tails at the end Of each bearing sever
al small, hard knots. The material
was Of no greater thickness than the
ordinary fishing line, but very tough |
Walking over TO where the sailor stood |
Doyle grasped him by the hand, shook |
1t heartily and asked him to be as easy |
as possible and not to strike in one |
place.
TYING UP THE PRISONER
Immediately the work Of securing
Doyle to the iron triangle was per-
formed, his knees and feet being
strapped apart, each to one Of the iron |
bars, and his hands held together. be-
ing held above his head by a suspend |
ing cord; His coat was thrown over a
wooden bar crossing just at his chest,
and onthis the prisoner leaned. DOYLE |
called out that his hands
we're too tightly tied, when |
they we're loosened slightly. and
he said that would do. The seaman
called, Nov, then, are you ready?
Whose going to count2 Read the
warrant" No, never mind the war
rant" said Doyle; hurry up, said
the sheriff, producing the document
mentioned from his pocket, hastily
read it.
THE Cat" DEscENDs
Drawing back couple Of feet from
the triangle, the sailor rolled up the
right sleeve Of his Jacket, and taxing
one OF the two eats" in his right
hand, it was raised above his head
Count" he cried to one of those
present, and the whip descended with
a sharp report on the prisoners naked
back, striking right across about four
inches below the shoulders. At once
the lash was raised again, and the sea,
man continued to perform his work
as calmly as possible until twenty
lashes had been inflicted, the time
occupied being little more than half
minute. A spectator called each
stroke aloud as it fell. On the lash
being lifted the second time a narrow
streak was visible on Doyle's back,
and slight shudder passed through
his frame, but he at once regained his
forced composure But on the lash
having fallen the fifth time, Doyle be. |
gan TO writhe and squirm.
CUTTING INTO The FLESH,
Though as yet he had uttered no
sound his back was beginning to look
rather red but no blood had appeared.
On the thirteenth, however, an ago |
nized cry was heard, aud during the
remainder Of the whipping Doyle
shouted with apparently increasing
pain. The twentieth stroke having
been laid on, the man was un 4
tied, and the Doctor, taking
a sponge soaked in water, washed the |
lacerated back. Only one small |
stream Of blood was descending on the
lett side Of Doyle's back. but after the |
sponge had been applied the surface
looked very badly and the marks off
the Ca" were plainly seen. The
whipper had struck in almost the same
spot at every stroke, and the effect of |
the lashing was only visible over a |
limited surface.
HANDsHAKING AFTER THE WHIPPING /
Before the whipping began small
piece Of hard rubber had been placed |
in Doyle's mouth for him to bite, and
now, removing this, he took the |
sailors hand and said, Good BY" |
mo, not good by" replied the tar;
" l hope to meet you ag,in, in another
place, old fellow" "No you won't"
reloined Doyle, mot after such as
this," and putting on his coat he
walked into the Jail building and sat
down. Doyle afterward said that his
suffering during the lashing had not
been 50 great as the spectators sup
posed, as he had feigned feeling ia,
tense pain for fear the sailor would
lay the whip on heavier. The seaman
who performed the whipping received