The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-02-12
EYE FOR EVE.


How the Omenders OF Ye Olden Times
Were Punished In New York.
There are three books, old and musty,
and covered with parchment, in the col
lection of the New York Historical So
ciety, which are practically invaluable.
They contain records of the court of
general sessions for the city and county
of New York which date half way back
to Che year in which America was first
discovered, and continue down to the
early part of the rule Of King George
I'LL. when the troubles began which
finally brought on the revolution. The
merciless justice Of our forefathers il
bluntly outlined on the time-stained
leaves, and the brutal violence of many
of those who tasted the same justice,
are matters calculated to make the
present generation shudder. Aside
from this feature of the record, how
ever, they give the reader an insight
into the life, m 'nners and customs of
the early colonists in our city which is
seldom obtained from other histories.
The earliest recorded meeting of the
court was on rye first Tuesday in Au-
gust, being ye seventh day, annodom,
1884"
The grand jury was called over and
sworn, proclamation made and silence
commanded while the charge was given
to the grand jurors. The only indict-
ment or presentment found by them
was against John Watson, butcher, for
''fOrestalling the market" He was
convicted and fined six shillings. and
the court adjourned sine die. 1t was at
this time called the general quarter ses-
sions. as it met regularly only four
times year.
At the last quarter session in 1895 il
is recorded that Anne Sewell, q widow,
was bound over for appearance for
excepting in chains and irons for several
weeks upon bread and water only, and
also for cruelty beating 3 certain SER
vant-maid of hers called Anne Parsons"
In her defense the widow said that the
maid had highly offended her. and that
she did not know she was committing q
breach of the law in furnishing her as
she did. And this was the punishment
that was melted out to the heartless
widow: 1.-The court, having duly con-
sidered the matter. does order that said
servant be discharged from the service
of Anne Sewell." 1t was further adj
Judged that the widow should pay the
fees of the trial.
An affair which doubtless created .
great sensation in New York was jotted
down in the courts minutes of August
20, 1896, as follows: civilian Merritt,
Esq, mayor of the city of New York, in
formed the justices of the peace that last
night several persons were making .
great noise and disturbance in the street
near his dwelling-hOuse, and uttering
several oaths and execrations, where
upon the said mayor went out and Or
dered them to dispense and go home to
their several habiations. which they re-
fused to do; and thereupon he offered to
strike some of them and took them into
custody, upon which one Prince assault
ed the said mayor upon the face, but
some persons coming to the mayors
assistance. seized said Prince and he was
committed to gaOl. and upon examina-
ton of the fact and the perniciOus and
evil example thereof we do order that
the said Prince be by the public whipper
carried forthwith to the public whipping
post, and there be stripped naked from
the middle upward, and then and there
be tyed to the tale of carte, and, being
so stripped and tyed, shall be drawn
round the city within the Notifications
till he return to the said whipping post,
and atsfhe corner of every street shall
receive eleven lashes upon his body for
the said misdemeanor."
A sailor who forged the name of his
ships master to an order for goods is
put down for zone less than fort,-
lashes," and a couple of women WHO
stole remnants of serge valued at flo
from Isaac de Peystey. merchant, re-
ceived ''twenty-One lashes each wit,
birch rods" Another mild way of az
corporal punishment was 20
brand letter T on the '.brann of tn.
thumb" The operation would be per
formed in open court by the Sheriff.
after he had first taken the brandin.-
iron out to be heated.
The first murder on record was copn-
mitted April Z, 1712. The victim was
a prominent citizen named Adrian
Four persons were arrested
and a special session of the court Wa
called for the trial of the offenders Oh
the 18th. From the evidence it appears
that one Clause struck the fatal blow
with dagger, inflicting wound two
inches in breadth, whereof HOghlandt
died Immediately. The record leaves q
doubt in the mind of the reader as to
whether the support of his fellows was
moral only, or physical as we'll. The
poor fellows all protested their limo
cence on trial. but evidently with little
effect. for the story of the tragedy ends
with an order from the court directing
''that the said Clause be broken alive
upon wheel, and so continue till he be
dead, and his head and quarters to be
at the Queens disposal; that the said
Robin be hung up in chains alive and
so continue till he be dead; that the said
Quaco be burnt with fire until he be dead
and consumed, and that the aforemen-
toned Sam be hung by the neck until
he be dead"
For the death of Adrian Beeckman.
one slave was burned aGye slowly and
another hung by the neck. The murder
of Henry Braglier. who was killed with
an AK. was revenged in burning of the
leading conspirator and the hanging Of
five others. There were two other MUIR
ders, for which at least three slaves suf.
fered death.-N T. Cor. Toronto Mail.
FINGER RINGS.
Fashion Which Has Come Down to
Us Through Centuries.