Wichita eagle., 1889-01-08

| Are Ihokeu TO Desstn-SyI1PsAtnyo A ASI
Thousand Souls.
Invent to see criminal executed by the
| method known as the ''garrote" When
reached the spot the avenue and the roadway
to the Jail was packed with natives of all
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
and as they have a weakness for bright colors
in their scanty garments they formed a very
"circus poster" picture. In q double hollow
square around the scaffold was 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 l was armed with
good sun umbrella, but l sought shady
place under some bamboo trees Just as soon
as / could get there
DESCRIPTION OF THE GARROTE
To the LETT of the center of the field stood
the scaffold and "garTote." 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 a strong up
right post, midway upon which projects
piece Of inch board for the condemned to sit
upon. 1t isn't very comfortable seat, but
he probably never gives it thought after
the execution begins. Above the seat, placed
at a proper height to catch the prisoners
neck, is the "garrote." 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 fat iron
band which passes around to the front, be-
ing held in place by grooves in the wood.
The condemned, with his hands and feet
heavily naanacled, is placed upon the seat
and his body is bound firmly with cords to
the upright post. The fat iron band is then
clasped securely about his throat, and at
signal from the proper official the eIecu-
toner begins to turn the screw very much
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,
blood starts from the mouth and nostrils, the
tongue is forced out over the chin and the
man dies in the most horrible agony.
The e1ecutioner, who stands behind the
victim, in full view of every one, must have
an exceedingly peculiar mind, to say the
least. Fortunately, black cap is drawn
completely over the head and face of the
condemned, and the fearful contortions of
his face cannot be seen, but one can readily
imagine how the face looks as the iron collar
slowly chokes the life out of the body.
Presently a procession of about a dozen
black robed priests, several acolytes and
delegation from the Society of Peace and
Charity came moving slowly up the avenue,
and turned into the Jail TO give the prisoner
the last consultations Of his religion. They
carried q large sil1en banner, heavily
weighted and decorated with pure silver en-
broidery and flagree work, in tho center of
which was a most artistically executed oil
painting Of the Virgin Mary, while the AGO.
lytes carried crucinxes and pail of holy
water, all of solid silver.
The procession passed into the Jail yard to
tie little chapel, where the prisoner sat I'M
der guard waiting for the final summons.
And, oh, what pitiful sight be presented!
Promptly at oclocll-to the second-a
small bell in the Jail yard sounded and a
guard appeared with a pair of heavy hand
cuffs, which were quickly clasped upon the
wrists Of the trembling prisoner. He was
lifted to his feet, but seemed too weak to
walk, and was supported on either side by
Jail guard. Near him stood priest, who
whispered words of encouragement to him
occasionally, and procession was formed
for the march to the scaffold. In advance
walked an altar boy with large bell, which
he tolled monotonously as he moved along,
and then camo the prisoner and guards, fol-
lowed by tho priest and acolytes bearing the
beautiful silver banner. On each side marched
a file of soldiers, and the Jail officials and a
few privileged spectators brought up the
rear. The solemn procession moved slowly
out Of the chapel through the jail yard, a
distance of perhaps twenty yards, and into
the outer yard to the main gate, about forty
yards further, and down the roadway to the
field AT this point the commander Of the
military placed himself at the head of the
column, and marched with it TO the foot of
the steps leading to the scaffoid.
The ezecutioner, dressed in an ordinary
business suit, had already reached his post,
had given the screw lever a turn or two to
see if it WIS in proper working order, and
had placed the ropes SO that the prisoner
could be quickly bound to the upright beam.
He throw open the iron throat cIasp, hung
his hat on the top of the post and was ready
to proceed withhis part Of the transaction.
sNArCHED FROM DEATH
Suddenly there was a movement in the
crowd near the jail entrance ard man Yves
seen working his way toward the scaffold.
Tie lines of soldiers opened and Senor Pinto,
one Of the aids or ''ayudantes" of the gov
ernor general, rushed into full view shouting:
''Stop! Stopl In the name Of her majesty
Probably the most dramatic scene l ever
in real hfe then followed As
Senior Pinto hurried across the field the
priests on the scaeold knew at once what had
and they set up wild shout:
HE lives! Long live the queenT
You're not DO die; tho queen has pardoned
your some one shouted in the prisoners ear,
and he sank co the floor IL a dead faint
Then the vast multitude began to realize
what had occurred, and from 0,000 throats
arose the Wild cry:
He lives. Long live the queenin
'Fivai Vivall Viva!tI"
Then the priests raised the bewildered |
prisoner on their shoulders, and he passion
ite!y kissed the image OF the Virgin on the |
beautiful bannar, while the crowd raised a |
shout OK:
"Viva! Vivau Vival!r7
he had as lest realized that be was not to |
lie, and his tear stained face beamed with |
Joy and gratitude The crowd, now released |
rom restraint, cried and shouted, and gave |
vent 70 its feelings in every possible way. /