Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-01-22
SAVED AT LAST.
PREPARATIONS FOR AN EXECUTION
THAT DIDN'T TAKE PLACE.

|
the Philippine Islands-How Criminals
Are Clicked to Death-sympathy of Ten
Thousand Souls.
went to see a criminal executed.b by the
method known as the "garrote." When
reached the spot the avenue and the roadway
TO the Jail was packed with natives OF oil
shades, as was every place in the vicinity
where a view of the field and scaffold was
possible. / believe there were fully 10000
natives there-men, women and children
md ms they have a weakness for bright colors
in their scanty garments they formed a very
''circcs poster" picture. In double hollow
square around the scaffold was a regiment OF
! infantry. Spanish and native, and a cavalry
company occupied position in double line
at the extreme right Under the bamboo
trees that line the avenue and Jail roadway,
and in the shade Of the Jail wall, were
gathered groups Of Europeans and Spanish |
army officers but the soldiers and native /
spectators were exposed TO the direct rays Of |
the sun, which could not have endured for |
any great length Of time. was armed with |
a good sun umbrella, but ! sought a shady
place under some bamboo trees just as soon
as l could get there.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GARRoTE.
To the left Of the center of tho field stood
the scairold and "garroten A merely cas-
ual glance at it is calculated to send thrill
Of horror through every fiber OF the body,
for it seems to be one of the cruelest instru-
ments OF death imaginable 1t can be briefly
described. 1t consists only Of q strong up
right post, midway upon which projects
piece of inch board for the condemned to sit
upon Il isn't very comfortable seat, but
/ - u o s.1.lt ,ft
the execution begins Above the seat, placed
at proper height TO catch the prisoners
neck, is the "garrote,n 1t is a screw lever
attached to an iron collar, and looks as If it
might be letter copying press slightly re-
{ constructed The Screw does not pass
through the post but through flat iron
a band which passes around TO the front, be-
I ing held in place by grooves in the wood.
The condemned with his hands and feet
heavily manacled, is placed upon the seat
5 and his body is bound firmly with cords TO
o the upright post The fiat iron band is then
D clasped securely about his throat, and at a
signal from the proper official the execu-
n toner begins TO turn the screw very much
d as you would turn the screw on a copying
/ press. The neck of the prisoner is gradually
pressed back against the post, the fiat iron is
., drawn tighter and tighter against the throat,
AAR3eA
!; tongue is forced out over the chin and the
"a man dies in the most horrible agony.
The execudoner, who stands behind the
l. victim, in fun view of every one, must have
d an exceedingly peculiar mind, to say the
}. least. Fortunately, a black cap is drawn
e. completely over the head and face Of the
, condemned, and the fearful contortions of
his face cannot be seen, but one can readily
K imagine how the face looks as the iron collar
y, slowly chokes the life out of the body.
Presently a procession Of about a dozen
black robed priests, several acolytes and q
cd delegation from the Society Of Peace and
e, Charity came moving slowly up the avenue
rs and turned into the Jail to give the prisoner
Ut the last consultations Of his religion. They
carried a large silken banner, heavily
~ weighted and decorated with pure silver EN-
re broidery and fllagree work. in the center o
II. which was 8 most artistically executed OF
nd painting Of the Virgin Mary, while the acc
lytes carried crucifixes and a pail Of hol,
water, all Of solid silver.
S q The procession passed into the Jail yard I
Isl the little chapel, where the prisoner sat III
IAN der guard waiting for the final summons
sea And, oh, what pitiful sight he presented
Promptly at o'clock-to the second
her small bell in the Jail yard sounded and
in. guard appeared with pair Of heavy hanC
in wrists Of the trembling prisoner. He wa
the lifted TO his feet, but seemed too weak
walk, and was supported on either side by
-, Jail guard. Near him stood a priest, VIII
l',n whispered words Of encouragement to hii
occasionally, and a procession was forme
'iiu for the march to the scaffold In advanc
~ walked an altar boy with large bell, whic
oe he tolled monotonousy as be moved alonl
~ and then came the prisoner and guards, 70
ha' lowed by the priest and acolytes bearing tt
,1u beautiful silver banner. On each side marche
. :, a filo of soldiers, and the Jail officials and
H. few privileged spectators brought up q
rear The solemn procession moved sowl
out Of the chapel through the Jail yard
re- distance Of perhaps twenty yards, and int
lay the outer yard to the main gate about fort
er yards further, and down the roadway to Il
Inn field At this point the commander Of Il
the military placed himself at the head Of q
en- column, and marched with it TO the foot
ay. the steps leading to the scafiold
all The executioner, dressed in an ordinai
ex- business suit, had already reached his 20:
IN had given the screw lever a turn or two
All see if it was in proper working order, al
ge had placed the ropes so that the prison
sme could DO quickly bound to the upright beai
sail He threw open the iron throat clasp, hui
po- his hat on the top Of the post and was rea'
0Al / HlDEeel MAAlA hAo lltltN "a AAN tAtAaA~eAN
the sNATcHED FROM DEATH.
Mr. Suddenly there was movement in t
Mr.. crowd near the jail entrance and man v
the seen working his way toward the scaffo
the The lines Of soldiers opened and Senior Pin
Mr.. one Of the aids or "ayudantesn of the sc
he ernor general, rushed into full view shoutir
he "Stopl Stop! In the name Of her majest,
'olis Probably the most dramatic scene eN
witnessed in real life then followed.
Senior Pinto hurried across the field
=, priests on tho scaffold knew at once what
M; occurred, and they set up wild shout;
~ she livesl Long live the queenp
u AZ you're not TO die; the queen he's pardon
cen YOUR some one shouted in the prisoners e
was and he sank TO the floor in dead faint
inns Then tho vast multitude began TO real
erh; what had occurred, and from 10000 thro
lstal arose the wild cry;
pers s'He livesl Long live the queenT
des. "Vival Vivau Vivailln
Iohn Then the priests raised the bewilde
spre- prisoner on their shoulders, and no pass
ard, ately kissed the image Of the Virgin on
lndl- beautiful banner, while the crowd raise
nirai deafening shout Of:
ana "Vivnl Vivail Niva!lF
troit He had ut last realized that he was no
nson die. and his tear stained face beamed v
the 10Y and gratitude. The crowd, now reles
IRON, restraint. cried and shouted, and 6