Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-02

The Sian Who Works the Ou,llOtino at
the French Capital


yers; the conversation. therefore, never
Jagged for moment, and the generous
wines. of which our Amphyctyon was
Justly proud, contributed not q little To-
ward enliveninQ it, and called forth many
apiquant and spirite dsally. When we
rose from the table we repaired TO the
smoking-room, were we slipped the most
fragrant Mocha and smoked The choicest
Havanas The windows Of this room
opened upon the Champs Eiysees, and As
the sun was shining brightly in the cloud
less sky, and fresh, bracing breeze was
blowing through the green tops OF the
elms countless equipages rolled toward
the Bots de Bolognc, and the broad side
walks were crowded with pedestrians,
and many celebrities of art and Literature,
of science and diplomacy, were Glowing
their way through the throug without be-
ing noticed by anybody. We gazed, chat
ting gayly, upon Che motley scene before
us, when one of The guests. NJ. Dutaurt, a
lawyer Of considerable distinction, called
our attention To very tall gentleman IN
black, VINO approached with a dtgnihed
step from the Place de la ConcOrde, aud
then stood still under Our window inorder
to allow some Young girls who were APP
preaching with their parents from the OPP
positc direction, 20 pass by. They bowed
their thanks to him and went on their
way.
do YOU know this gentleman in black,
who treated those young ladies so politely
Just now - asked Nj. Dulaure We re-
piled in the negative
at is NJ. de Paris - ne said. ''The exc
cutioner! The headsmanw we eN-
claimed. with one accord. "Ihe eXecu-
toner of Paris replied NJ. Dulaure,
who, being a celebrated priest Of the god
iess Themis, was well acquainted with
the terrible avenger of Justice. docs he
not look like "a Well-to-do retired mer-
chantY' he added. .F0rtuuately his busi-
ness requires attention but rarely, sOthat
he can live very quietly and comfortably
On bis salary, which, together with his
fees, amounts TO "a handsome sum. Al
This moment he no doubt came from his
large house on the Boulevard du Temple,
and is now going to COurcelles. where he
owns a villa, situated in a beautiful gar
den, and which many persons envy HIM
when they visit that beautiful suburb Of
the capital; for, Notwithstanding the ter
rible character Of his office, upward of 30
persons applied for it when his predeces-
sor retired from business and among
the applicants We're even several physi-
clans. Men are intent on earning a living,
and a salary AT $1,000, with additional
$1,000 for travelling expenses and num-
Der Of other fees, always viii be quite an
attraction"
One of us inquired for what purpose
travelling expenses were paid to the exc
cutioner.
"There are twenty-eieht high tribunals
in France" replied NJ. Dufaure. Every
tribunal has its euillotne and it's eXecu-
toner. When an execution is to take
place outside the capital of a judicial dis-
trict, the eNecutiOner, accompanied by
the terrible machine, must, of course. re-
par to the place OF execution. The
machine, which, previous 10 the journey.
has been taken asunder and packed IN
box, is then unpacked, erected at mid
night, packed up again as soon IS the exc
cutinn is over. and taken back to the
capital of the district. The headquarters
Of the cuil0tine at Paris are at No. a
Rue Folie-Regnsult, where Il paws an
actual rent of S120. AS for the eXecu-
toner of Paris, he is gentle aud quiet
man. He is native OF Southern France
and is descended from Dutch family
There was pause, which was finally
broken by the remark of one OF the
guests, that it must be horrible for any
man TO Kill a person who never wrOnged
him, nay, whom he never saw before.
II am very far from gainsaving that"
said NJ. Dutaure, nevertheless, people
generally entertain entirely erroneous
ideas in regard to the functions OF The
public eXecutioner. He sees his victim
only for a few moments. and never
touches him. The execution ALWAYS
takes place at break Of day. Before dawn,
already, the eXecutiOner repairs to the
prison and signs at the office the certificate
by which he Vouches for the delivery Of
the person he is to behead. He then enters
the so-called tOilet-roOm, a narrow, dark
chamber, whittier the poor sinner, accom-
panied by the priest. is soon after taken.
The eXocutiOner is dressed In black and
wears black gloves. The twenty steps
separating the prison from the scaffOld.
whittier his assistants have FASTENED al
ready, are performed in a few minutes
AS soon as the procession arrives there,
the criminal is fastened to the board,
which is then lowered, the eXecutiOner
touches knob on the side OF the side OF
the guillotne, the axe descends, and the
terrible drama is over.
"1Ou must not suppose, however," he
continued, "that the performance OF his
duty makes no impression whatever upon
the mind OF the eXecutioner. NJ de Paris
always Is as pale as sheet when he is to
carry death warrant into execution.
and as soon as all is oyer he calls for q
glass OF water IN order TO calm his nervous
agitation. This excitement may arise
from the fact that he was once bitten in
the hand by criminal whose head had
not been placed in the right position Undcr
the axe"
1T is a wonder that he could ever make
up his mind 70 take such an Office upnn
hmself.~
sit is not always 4 voluntary act on
tae part of the eNecut0ner." replied " .
Dutaure "Ihe office OF NJ. de Paris q,
heriditary. Il Is handed down from father
10 son, as Was the case with the Suus0n
family WIN held fhp offiet. for ttn.yo "a az