Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-20
A CHINESE EXECUTION.
Five Men Beheaded with Sharp Knife for
Piracy.

the waters OF the ASlatlc station, we
happened to be sent to Canton to pro-
tect some of the American merchants,
who fancied that the Chinese, who had
been making threats, were going to
give them trouble. The sight of man
of-war ready to protect and aid, if
necessary, always has a good effect.
and IN this case we were greeted with
JOY and satisfaction. The Wachusett
was notable vessel, having done good
service in the civil war, especially the
capture of the confederate steamer
Florida. and her fame as fighter had
spread even to China.
1t was very agreeable relief to all
on board, says a writer in the NelC
York. Mail and Express, that we should
be in port for at least two months, and
everyone was glad of the opportunity
of exploring one of the largest cities
of the world. 1t is the custom of all
men-Of-war when in Chinese port to
hire for the ships service q number of
''sampans"Or small boats, each manned
by two Chinese. who are always ready
day and night to take one ashore. My
cOmrade and were lucky enough to
have a Chinaman who knew every
street and alley in the city. Besides,
he spoke very good English, and it was
a pleasure to take him as guide in
our rambles ashore.
On one occasion we were ashore
under his guidance, and seeing every
thing curious that was to be seen, when
through the streets came a large body
of troops guarding five men carried in
a. Id I
from the shoulders of coolies.
''Sam, what are they going to dowith
those men?n we asked.
"Oh,n said he, ''they are pirates, and
the troops are going to cut off their
heads"
Here was a chance for us to see a
sight and to 90 back to the ship and
''spin a yarn that would surprise our
shipmates. "Can we go and see their
heads taken off,
Il do not know said Sam, ''but if
you will follow will ask the mandar-
in"
We followed, and in short time
came to an open courtyard just off
one of the main thoroughfares of the
city. The soldiers filed in on each
blue button seated himself in a chair.
A great crowd of people had followed,
and the sentinels at the gate had great
trouble in keeping them back. We
were in uniform, and when we were
seen by the officer of the guard he
called the attention of the mandarin
to the fact. It was then that our guide
slipped UP and making the ''kow tow"
or Chinese salute, told the officer who
we were and from what vessel we
came. We were Immediately shown
to q place Of honor beside the mandar-
in, who rose and bowed his respects,
and told our guide to explain to us
why he was there and why those five
men were to lose their lives. They had
been caught in the act Of piracy on the
high seas by an English gunboat and
turned over to the Chinese authorities
for trial and punishment. They had
had speedy trial, the act of piracy
having been committed six days be-
fore.
While this explanation was going on
the five prisoners were made to kneel
on the ground in Indian file: their
''cues'' were coiled up on the backs of
their heads, and, with slight inclina-
ton the backs of their necks were
made perfectly bare. An officer was
sent for the eXecutiOner, and he APP
peared, making the salute to the man
DARN. had the curiosity to take a
good look at the man who was to do
this bloody deed. A look in his face
revealed nothing save the same stolid
expression that is seen in all China
men, but he carried himself with Il
Swagger that plainly said that he was
the most observed OF all men there. and
that it was an easy task that he was
about to perform.
The prisoners were knecling, their
hands tied behind their backs, and
heavy bamboo rods weighted ut each
end were laid across the calves of their
legs. The mandarin rose and read the
warrant of execution. The utmost
stiffness prevailed. On the faces of
the people who had flocked to see the
executions an expression of fear and
anxiety was depicted. A command
was given, the executioner walked to
the side of the first man, and, drawing
long, narrow knife, from under his
robe, awaited the order. The supreme
moment had come; five lives were to
be taken. The men in the rear could
see every movement of the eXecutioner
and of the man in front of him. To
the ''outside barbarian" it was fear
full moment. A command was given,
and in an instant the knife was in the
air and in the next moment q head lay
on the ground. A great fountain Of
blood spurted from the neck, and the
eXecutioner was beside the next man.
Again the command, and a headless
body the result, and in less than the
time it takes to write this line the five
men were beheaded.
We ran to the bodies in our curiosity
to see if any muscular action was TAX
ing place, but there was none beyond
the slowly closing eyelids. The law
was vindicated The troops formed in
line, the heads were put in the baskets
that lately carried the bodies of the
pirates, and the march was resumed
through the city.
The bodies were thrown into cart
and taken for burial outside of the
city. In answer to our question as to
what would be done with the five
heads,we were told that they would be
placed on the walls of the city as
warning to all evil-doers.
Babes at School.