Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-05-11

into the beautiful hsrbor OF Havana WILL
perhaps recall dark and low stone
building upon the right shore. almost
directly opposite Moro Castle, which IL
perched on the other side of the bay.
This building 10 the prison in which
criminals are confined who have been
sentenced to death. Attached to it is a
chapel, where maRy a poor wretch has
received the last consultations of religion,
and the wsrn stone sill of the door bears
witness to the many feet that have passed
ont Of it, TO return on earth never any
more.
In the month of MAY, 1860, General
Duloe being Captain General of the ISL
and of Cuba, one Ramon Torres, a pri-
vate in a Spanish infantry regiment
stationed at Havana, for some cause or
other, in a moment Of passion drove q
knife TO the hilt in the bosom of his
superior officer, killing him on the spot.
The culprit was, of course, Immediately
arrested and sent to prison, where he
was at once tried and condemned ia
die by the garrote. Spanish Law some
times renders swift justice, and in this
case but few days interviewed between
the murder and its expiration.
When the death sentence 10 passed on
q criminal, the Juzgado, or court of jus
tice, proceed TO the prison, and, calling
| the criminal out of his cell, the judge
reads the sentence to him. After doinG
so he generally makes him an address
exhorting him TO prepare for the awful
change that il coming upon him. The
prisoner is then taken in irons to the
chapel, where he remains until he goes
out 20 his execution. There is bed
in the chapel where he can rest, and
priest ia always with him. During
| the period he Ia here no reasonable re-
quest is denied him. and everything thai
can contribute to his comfort Is readily
furnished.
On the day of the execution Of tn,
subject Of this sketch about 5000 troops
were paraded outside the prison walls
while almost as MANY people of the city
and surrounding country were also on
the ground. Suddenly there came q
chorus of voices from the building
singing in unison funeral dirge. II
was the farewell of the doomed mans
fellow prisoners "a ceremony never
omitted by them. The sun was CLEAN
ing brightly over the still, smooth wa
ter, the dark green foliage scarcely
stirring In the gentle breeze, aud amid
all the quietness and beauty OF nature
this wall awoks in the heart thoughts 90
sad as never TO be forgotten to ones dy
ing day.
All az once the prison doors we're
fang wide oren, and the criminal, a
man Of small stature, came forth with
a priest and soldier on either side, tue
former holding 10 his hands crucifix,
while he occasionally leaned down and
encouraged the doomed man. tmmedi-
ately following came the verdngo, (exs-
cutioner) wearing q dark dress, having
upon each of its sleey O. an embroidered
ladder, the insignia Of his Office. Two
drummers followed, beating the funeral
march. IL being the Spanish custom
ON such occasions 10 loosen the drum
snares, the peculiar rattle they pro-
duced Was far less agreeable than the
muffied drum which We are accustomed
10 hear.
The Qarrose was erected near and di-
reetiy north Of the prison walls. AZ a
place called La Puuta. 1.-The Point" IL
was with difficulty the poor wretch could
walk TO the spot, and he seemed fire.
quently ON the point of sinking 10 the
earth. The instrument of death stood
upon Q wooden platform and vas coa-
posed of an upright piece Of scantliuR,
With the iron collar and lever attached,
while below Was a rude seat.
Arriving at the foot Of the platform
the death sentence Was again read. aud
the Alxuacii de Cor to
our Sherih-asked the prisoner II be
had anything % ssy TO the people. he
merely shook his head. BY way Of reply,
and was nc once seated, his legs tied and
his arms pinioned, with the hands crossed
ON his breast and the collar Hxed about
his neck. At this point of the proceed
ines she verdu2o pulled from his person
long. bright knife. which he handed TO
The police who we're present Then q
long black cap Was drawn ever the pris-
cnkr's face, and the priests began to re-
cite the Credo. When they came 10 the
words His only Sons' the vsrdueo, by
a swift and dexterous turn Of the lever,
launched the soul Of the poor wretch
into eternity. There was bat q moment
airy CULVER Of the limbs and q straight
ening of the form; then all was still,
for the man was stone dead. This
mode Of punishment 10 far more merci-
fnl than the hideous and bungling per-
formaaces frequently gone through with
our Ribbets.
The troops then wheeled into column
and marched away TO the beat of the
drums. and now came the strange sequel
co this dismal spectacle.
As soon as the grolnd was cleared one
OF the police went forward and. seixing
the verauGo. arrested hiu for murder.
hurrying Dim to the prison where the
Juxgado were till assembled. Placing
him in their midst, he accused him of
having killed q man. and he denounced
him ~ q murderer. he Jndge asked
him what he had % say IN answer 30 this
charge.
10 Is true, replied the vsrdueo. " that
killed the prisoner. but deny being
for. although | committed
the act changed. ldisplayine his arm<
with the badge did 10 in che cause Of
Justice and in pursuance of the Ian, all
Of which vas compelled TO do by viz
tue Of ms ofiics.s
The accused u innocent, and 10 dis
charged, answered the Court; and
thrs the formula II spanish lac wxs