The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-11-13
THIRTEEN LASHES On HIS BAKE
BACK.
Wife Beater Eisenberger Meets the Fen-
geance Of Maryland Lava Similar
Law Needed in South Carolina.
Baltimore Americm.

y
Law Needed in South Carolina.
Baltimore Americua.]
Thirteen lashes-the sentence Of
the court-were laid across the bare
back of John Eisenberger at the city
iail one afternoon OF last October, for
beating his wife. The whipping was
done with an ordinary cowhide, or
rawhide, by Deputy Sheriff Roseman,
and three dozen or more people Went
there to see it. Sheriff May and
Deputy Sheriff Roseman went over to
the iail between four and five o'clock.
At five minutes before five o'clock the
sheriff told Warden Waters that he
was ready. Deputy Wardens Ed
wards and Dwyer quickly removed
the iron clamps that fasten the arms
and legs to the whipping post. Then,
the order was given to bring Elsen-
berger from his cell. He came out
firmly, and it -~as evident he had
nerved himself up for his punishment
He was pale, but there was no sign of
nervousness.
Glsncing moment at the crowd
before him and meeting their gaze
sauarely, he turned from the grated
door through which he had just pass
ed and stood face to face with the ug-
" whipping post. The beard of sew
several days growth which had been
on his face was cleanly shaven off,
and his. mustache, too, had been cut
off at his own request. He wore a
pair blue cotton overalls and a shirt
of the same material. Stepping on
the platform, he pulled off his shirt,
then his undershirt, and showed a
broad, muscular back and shoulders
and pair of brawny arms. Eisen-
berger did not look like a brutal man.
Without a word he stood squarely up
against the post and stretched his
arms out on the crossbar. The cold
steel clamps were put in their places
again and screwed up by the deputy
wardens until his hands were held firm
" against the bar. As he felt the pres
sure of the steelhe seemed more than
ever to realize his helpless and humilia-
ting position, and, pressing his face
tight against the post, he set his mouth
hard and gritted his teeth. It was
only a moment, but this seemed to
strengthen him, and he watched close
II the brief preparation that remained
to prepare him for the lash. Only
once he spoke, and that was an al
most inaudible reply to question
from one of the deputies whether the
clamps were too tight. Then the legs
were clamped, the victim was ready
for justice.
ma Deputy Sheriff Roseman, who had
standing quietly at one side
ag for his part of the perform
SRasaped quickly forward and
s sso6a g sentbsrger's side. A mo-
ment he looked at the mixed back be
fore him as if calculating tt1FSace
and the force to strike. Then raising
his cowhide, without more ado, he
brought it down with cruel swish
about midway between the shoulders
and the small of the back. Not a
muscle quivered. Eisenberger look
ed straight ahead of him, his eyes
partly downcast.
stOnew counted. the sheriff who
stood by. Then, ere the spectators
had had time to note its effect, came
the second blow.
sTwo!" called out the sheriff;
.:three! four! five! six! seven! eight
ninel ten! eleven! twelve! thirteenp'
and Eisenberger was whipped.
Just thirteen seconds.
When the first blow fell there seem
ed at first sight no visible effect But
by the time the second had followed
closely upon it, long, bright red
stripe appeared, quickly changing to
blue, then purple, and the flesh rose
in great welt where the whip had
stung. One after another the ugly
marks stood out, showing the track of
the lash, and when the clamps We're
loosened and the victim stepped from
the platform, close alongside of each
other were the thirteen stripes, the
mark of the law telling that s'the way
of the transgressor is hard" Every
moment the dark purple welt became
larger and uglier, but there was no
blood drawn except in one or two
places under the arm, where the point
of thc whip tapped. Sullenly and
with. bowed head Eisenberger turned
from the spot, the memory Of which
he will carry to his grave, and walked,
with his back still barred, to his cell.
There his back was dressed. The
other prisoners were locked in their
cells, SO thatithey could not see the
whipping, but as soon as they knew
from the rafting of the clamps that it
was over, they applauded Eisenberg-
er's grit. This was quickly stopped
by Deputy Warden Edwards.
The blows did not seem to be laid
on with the force that some Of the
spectators anticipated, and it looked
IS if Eisenberger was being rather
tenderly handled; but when the back
was brought into full view, as the
man went back to his cell, it was seen
that it was no child's play he had gone
through with. The whip was laid on
quickly with sort Of downward cut
that medical men say is much more
effective and painful than when ad-
ministered with what seems like much
greater force. Deputy Roseman is
an old hand at the business, and does
it in an artistic manner. Eisenberger
!