davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

far as refined oriental cruelty is concerned. in
death by Strangulation and the SACK which is
yet practlsed In some parts of Turkey, Persia
and Syria. and which was a common method
of punishment in ancient Greece and Rome.
The victim. half or wholly dead is sewed up in
sack, weighted and cast into the river.
Among the Moors capital punishment is adj
ministered with the sword. The culprit is
taken to the steps of the nall of justice and
made to kneel on the top. facing the populace.
The executioner dispatches him with blow
and the head rolls down the steps
In thee Ears realm the extreme penalty is
inflicted IN various forms. the musket and the
gallows predominating Where the knout is
used the victim is stripped half naked-some-
times wholly so-and with hands bound and
cords cutting deep into the flesh is laid Hat on
bis stomach upon a wooden frame. To this the
hands and feet are securely fastened by iron
rings. which are frightened till the bones are
dls!ocated. Then come the singing, cutting
blows OF the knife-like thongs that slice out
deep burrows i'll the flesh and leave red-aud-blue
ridges where the skin is not yet broken. The
Bnout can be made as fatal as the AK or sword.
In the hands of strong man single well-di-
rected blow will lay bare the ribs. and contin-
ued strokes on the same place will Kill in few
minutes
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

The ''desth chair" is constructed on the model
Of an invalid's reclining chair. This chair. with
the necessary apparatus. have been placed in
cell to which kemmler will be conducted on
the morning of the execution. Before seating
him In the chair the guards will fasten his
hands in front and put strong leather strap
with buckles under the armpits. These buckles,
when the condemned is seated. will be
nected with the rings on the arms of the chair.
and sponge with wire connection placed at
the base of the spine. Then the cap-a peculiar
affair constructed of black rubber-will be adj
iusted- Inside the capis a a spiral ofcOpper wire.
i've inches in diameter. which fits well
over the crown of the head. and which. before
being finally adjusted. will be covered with a
sponge wet with salt water. From the ceiling
OF the room and Immediately over the chair
hang two flexible wires. while OH the cell wall
Is an electrical dial to Indicate the intensity of
the current and which is operated by small
double switch similar to those used in telegraph
offices for turning on and off the current. One
of these wires will be adjusted to the connec-
ton in the top of the helmet-like cap and the
other to the sponge at the base of the spine.
ALL READY.
All is now ready for the execution. But be-
fore the final touch is given to the switch that
shall send the victim to eternity connection
Is made with an instrument in an adjoining
cell and the subject feels slight electric thrill
bv no means painful or unpleasant This is
done to apply what is known as the wheat
stone test for the purpose of ascertaiuing
REMINDERS electrical resistance. and occupies
only q moment The black cloth is then pulled
over Reminders face. the officers stand back
while the last PRAYER is said by the prison chap
lain. the signal is given, the executioner gives
the switch little push to one side and 1000
volts of the alternating current pass through
the murderer in the chair. There is a muscu-
lar spasm faint quivering of the limbs and
lit is over" There is nothing like CONFUSION;
hardly anything more perceptible than the fiut-
even by seconds. The brain is instantly para
lived, before even the nerves can communicate
any appreciable sense of shock. Prof. Helm
holtz estimates that 1-10th of second is the time
needed to produce death. Prof. Tyndal saws
1-1OO0th of a second and Prof. Ehhu Thompson
has declared that il is absolutely impossible that
any pain can be felt by the subject condemned
to an electric death.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

Among the Mongols it is terrible indignity
to have the head separated from the body and
the remains not consigned to the grave intact
Yet the sword is the most universal weapon of
execution in the celestial empire. There are
nine crimes on the Chinese calendar calling
for capital punishment and as consequence,
executions are far from being inircqueHt. On
the fatal day the condemned are Toasted at the
expense OF the governor OF the district and
given an abundant supply of wine. The revel
generally lasts several hours and. as the
criminals know well what Is to follow
they generally make the most of
their remaining time and do not
stint themselves. The Chinese have no fear of
death Drunk or sober. they are. like the fatal
list Turk, ever ready to meet Their fate When
the summons comes from the eXecutiOner they
march with him III a half-drunken stupor. At
the door of their cells they are disrobed and
their hands and feet are bound with ropes
while they are gagged and lifted into bamboo
baskets and trundled off. like so much mer-
chandlse, to the scene of execution. On the
way they are escorted by the troops and bv the
headsmen with drawn swords, while q man with
a soemn-toned gong brings up the rear. Some
where on the outskirts the execution takes
place. The condemned. being taken from their
baskets, are placed in front of those ominous
cavities that Will soon receive their bodies.
The tOWnspeople form n semi-circle at a
proper distance from the criminals. the soldiers
| stand on guard and the headSmen. with their
long douOIe-edged weapons drawn, stand by
for the signal 1t is given and the chief
swordsman begins the butchery Both his
hands grasp the big sword. there is a fash
| through the air and the next instant head
! falls forward and a stream of blood spurts up
ward. until the body drops into the hole and
| out o. sight. Such is the dexterity of the
Chinese swOrdsmen that they rarely need more
than one stroke in decapitation. One after an
other of the Shivering wretches is dealt with in
the same way, and not till the arm OF the
| headsman tires does he give place to an assist
ant, who steps forward and finishes the work
| of carnage Throughout the whole scene the
gong boCms mournfully. When all is over the
chief swordsman advances and. with his drip
| ping weapon raised, salutes the presiding Judge
who then gives the order for the dispersal of
| the gathering. The soldiers stay behind to bury
| the bodies, which they carelessy fling into
| ditch. The heads are exposed IN wire cages
| on the walls of the city. The ching chee, or
death by the sword is not granted to women in
China. They are either strangled or hacked to
pieces. The latter is the punishment inflicted
| for exceedingly severe cases. such as the muir
der of husband, father. mother or other
| near relative. The victim. after being fastened
| to a stake. is literally carved to pieces her
| flesh being cut off IN small fragments and the
| vital parts avoided so to prolOng her suffer
| ing. Dismemberment and finally decapitation
| end her agonles.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26
THE GALLONS

The gallows was used very early in the his
tory OF the Roman nation for the dispatch of
malefactors, nobler death being reserved for
the soldier. The modern gallows is a very
slight Improvement on the old-fashioned one,
the main difference being in the drop, which is
regulated by weights. and is calculated to break
the neck of the criminal and shorten his suffer-
ihgs. Physicians estimate that the average
execution on the gallows occupies fifteen min
utes from the time the trap is sprung until life
is extinct. The immediate cause of death is
cerebral apoplexy. resulting from suffocation:
the nerves and vessels are compressed; the
odontoid process is dislocated, the trachea and
larynx lacerated, the ligaments of the neck are
ruptured and asphyxia precedes dissolution.
The special commission appointed by the
legislature of New York state to investigate
the subject in 1888 claimed that of all methods
yet submitted electricity is the most humane
for inficting capital punishment. The follow
ing table shows the standing of the different
countries Of the globe today on the capital pun
ISlment Question.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

Still another Siamese way of disposing of
surplus criminals is to crush them under the
feet of elephants. Sometimes as many as a
dozen malefactors have been thus dealt with
in single day at Bangkok, the capital CITY.
but missionary influences have somewhat miti-
gated the frequency of these horrible scenes,
although the elephant death" is still en-
pleyed and counts probably as many victims as
the sword The present Persian method of
Furnishing the condemned is by burying them
alive with the head exposed, or by a speedier
dispatch with the sword
THE HOTTENToT WAY
One of the most impressive methods of exc
cution in Europe at one time was the ''passer
par les armes," used both in France and Ger
many. twas reserved for soldiers Of rank and
was considered noble death. The condemned
was placed in the center of group of spear
men. where he stood with folded arms. At the
blast OF a trumpet the spearmen fell back some
distance and formed circle. Again the trum-
pet sounded, and this time they faced toward
the prisoner and advanced their spears leveled
straight at his breast and the circle grad
ually narrowing till he was transfxed
Among the HOttentOts today somewhat SINH
lar custom prevails. The condemned is taken
outside the krall or village and surrounded by
Il circle of warriors. All save the victim are
armed with clubs. The circle begins to
wheel, the warriors singing as they 90.
Nearer and nearer they come until they are
almost within arms length of the victim. Then
they raise their clubs and. no longer trotting.
but running at full speed strike him as they
run, each blow being accompanied by savage
shout 1t needs but few minutes to beat the
wretch to the ground, but they do not leave
him until the life has departed and the body is
mere shapeless mass.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

The Bangwolo on the Aruwimi river in Africa
have peculiarly cruel mode of Kidding them
selves of such people. The culprits head is
covered with basket. which is fastened around
his neck, but not so as to impede breathing.
The limb of Young tree is bent low to the
ground and is held there either by the united
efforts of a number Of men or by ropes tied to
larger trees A rope IS fastened to the basket
about the prisoners head and also to the end
of the Bonded limb. He is then ordered to
stand with body erect and neck slightly bent
In this attitude the blow is given with
u sword in the hands of the native
headsman and at the same instant
the ropes that confine the limb of the
tree are severed and it springs back to its orig
IA! position. bearing on its point the basket
containing the dripping head. Hundreds of
trees are adorned with this hideous human
fruit along the Aruwimi. In Java and Borneo
also the head is exposed terror to other
evil doors, the mode of execution being by
sword and dagger. In Siam the prevalent mode
is implement, although the sword is not in
frequently used. The criminal is stripped and
made to lie fiat with his face downward. when
a wooden stake is driven through The body till
1T comes out between the shoulders. He is
then raised and the end of the stake is driven
INTO the earth. where it is left until the body is
cold. Of course life Is extinct long before the
brutal vivisection is accomplished.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

There are two other modes OF capital pun
ishment in China. but they are reserved for
statesmen Of high rank and princes of the
royal blood. When the reigning emperor con-
celves that 1t will be to his interest to remove
certain princes he sends them present of a
silken cord. which is polite invitation to self
destruction. The invitation is rarely DISC
beyed. The Inlucky victim of royal disfavor
goes TO his chamber, and, adjusting the cord
about his neck, two of his attendants pull at il
till he Is black in the face. The other method
is the hari-kari, or happy dispatch" which
high officials are invited to give themselves
when they get into the bad books OF
the monarch. With that fear lessness
which Is strong trait of oriental
natures the official prepares for DEATH He
summons his household and his near relatives
and informs them of his disgrace. He attempts
no justification nor do they try to dissuade him
from his purpose. which is only too apparent.
Finally all is explained and the adieus arc
spoken. With single twist of his hand the
doomed statesman, raising his siken garments.
plunges the short sword-like knife into his
bowels and drops expiring TO the floor Such
death is considered highly honorable and
laudable Oh the part of the victim. In Japan
also the sword is the national weapon Of execu-
ton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26
IN THE SOCIALISTIC STATE.
With Thanks to Edward Bellamy.

New York Tribune-from the German.
Time-Seven am.
Scene-Breakfast room of Citizen @, S57a.
Citizen-Ann, is the coffee ready?
Citizeness G, 357b-No. have no beans left
I was too weak yesterday to call for our ounce
of beans at the public office. Then we have no
wood or coal. They give us only half pail per
day and that is not half enough.
Citizen G, Stakeholder, don't grumble.
Wife, wanted to warm for you yesterday .
state dinner.
Citizen-But you know, Ann, cannot eat
peas and polk. What will they give us today?
Wife-Beans and corn beef.
He-Always peas or beans.
She-Be patient, old man. You'll have your
favorite dish, sour eel soup, on the second Sun
day of next month.
He-Has 1.-The Socialist" arrived?
She-Here 1t is.
He (reads)-.All children about to reach the
age of five years during this current year must
be delivered to the public academy on the 10th
instant" ''All girls about to reach the age Of
fifteen years must have their names entered in
the marriage register before the 18th" The
former minister of trade had an accident YES
terday while carting manure and sprained his
ankle" "As henceforth all houses are TO be
built alike. the profession of architect is abol-
ished THE general dress for next summer
is ordered to be a blue blouse. with soldiers
trousers. All the military uniforms are to be
used up" Three hundred and fifty-seven
former, now useless, goldsmiths, will be en-
ployed as street-car drivers, mail carriers. &c 4"
Lamps may burn only from $50 to $50 pm.
from next November l." Four hundred ma
sons and carpenters were sent from New York
to Pittsburg TO be employed in the mines in
that neighborhood. Perhaps their families
will be sent after them" Day before yester-
day 2, 1863 women over forty years" Come
Inspector of the Peoples state-Does Citizen
g, 357a, live here!
Citizen-my name is Smith.
Inspector-We have no names any more, for
one might have a high-sounding, the other
vulgar name. Equality above all. Now, tell
me why are you still in bed2 The public day
begins at q.
Citizen-I am sick.
Inspector-Then You ought to have turned
out at 6 o'clock and reported for examination
at the Office. Get up Immediately. Go the
wife )-What are you idling about here?
Citizen-I do not wish you to talk to my wife
with such familiarity.
Inspector-Nonsensel We don't know any
such thing as familiarity, for we stand all on
the same footing. You are detailed to'pave the
street.
Citizen-But 1 am jeweler.
Inspector-Nonsensei Jewellers are no longer
needed. Here Is an official notification for
you. Your Oldest daughter will be married to-
morrow.
Wife-But to whom?
Inspector-To Citizen F, 1884 or Citizen L,
639. 1t has not yet been decided
Wife-But she would like to have W, S47
Inspector-That does not concern us She
has to make mp her mind, or else she will be
sent to Fools City. Your youngest child is five
years old and you have concealed it. I'll take
him with me now, and he may come and visit you
in about year. Gather and child get ready
and leave the house with the inspector.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

Altitudinously conspic-
uous and a figure of no
mean proportions is
the bronze statue OF
Freedom which Craw-
ford designed and
which has for nearly
twenty seven years
crowned the dome of
the Capitol with its
majestic beauty. When
the water in the East
ern Branch is at its
lowest level the toes
Vi Tue stsllue, WHICH,
point toward the not
too-crystalline stream,
are $50 feet above the
sluggish sur IA C e.
Freedom has a mag
nifcent scene before
her. but if the bronze
eyes were only en-
dowed with the sense
of siCht they wOull
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26
A Bird In Hand.

The knot was tied, the pair were wed.
And then the smiling bridegroom said
Unto the preacher, ''Shall l pay
To you the usual fee today,
Or would you have me wait year
And give you then a hundred clear.
If should ind the marriage state
As happy as / estimator"
The preacher lost no time in thought.
To his reply no study brought,
There were no wrinkles on his brow:
Said he, IN take So now"
Merchant Traveller.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26


While executions in Turkey are commonly
conducted by the sword-exeept In military
circles. where the gun is used as in England
and this country-the bowstring is not ne
elected This is an institution peculiarly Turk
ish. and although often talked and written
about comparatively few outside the Moslem
dominions know anything at all about it, The
executioners with the bowstring are generally
mutes. They work in pairs and are very ex-
pert Many of them are dwarfs. ugly, mis-
shapen people, creatures who seem to have
been formed by nature expressly for their
hideous work. The condemned man or woman
sits on a divan. while the two mutes approach
behind. bearing with them a stout bow. One
Of them bends the bow almost double with his
strong sinewy arms, while the other with a
dexterous motion of the wrist casts the loon
of the bowstring around the victims neck
which has been considerably barred for the oc-
casion. IL settles across the larynx; the bow
is released and the mutes each grasp hand OF
the victim now struggling in the throes OF
stranguation. Motion ceases in a few seconds
and a moment or two later the spasInodic ac-
ton Of the muscles tells that the life has gone
out
The bowstring finds . fitting companion. A.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

lever. The head Of the condemned man is en-
veloped N a cloth. his arms are tightly strapped
ana. at the signal. tine lever is turned aud the
bar Is driven home through the nervous fibers
and ganglia connected with the spinal cord.
The neck is broken and with a few revolutions
of the lever the man is dead
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

Next to the electrical chair the most perfect
penal instrument for taking human life is the
guillotine. Ii Is the method most popular
among the civilized peoples today. Its in
yentor Joseph lgnace Guillotin. a physician of
Lyons. is said 10 have become so mortified at
the notorious use to which 1t was put that he
died OF yeNatlon and not, as unveraciOus chron-
iclers assert as a victim of his own device The
guilOtlne. with its two upright posts. its cou-
peret or AK depending from cross-beam and
Is lunette for steadying the head OF the victim
tall the an IL released by ratchet spring Is
next TO the electric chair. the most expeditions
OF modern instruments. the swiftly drsco ndinc,
steel seyerlng the head instantly. During the
Reign of Terror. when Marat. DantOn. Robes
pierre and FOuquier-Ihienyille were filling
Pans with blood. one gui.lOtine has been
known To destroy slXtv-two victims N forty
i've minutes. Ii Is known under various
names. Among the Germans II is the ''Panke !"
III Scotland. where II was used To decapitate
the nobility before and during the Jacobite
wars. 1t was called 1.-The Maiden" and it's cold
kiss was fatal.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26
FREEDOMS LOFTY PERCH.
The Huge Statue on the Dome of the
Capitol and its History.

HOW THE TONS OF METAL WERE ELEVATED TO
POSITION - GREETED WITH ROUND OF
sALUTKs-FAors CONCERNING THE GROWING
FIGURE OF THE GREAT BUILDING.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26
ATTRACTIVE HOMES.
Friils, Flounces and Overskirts on Fnr-
niture.

HOW DRAPINe Is SOMETIMES ovERDoNK-soME
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ABOUT Such pKooRA-
T1oN-N ERA OF HARD BENCHES PRETTY
TOILET BOXES MADE OF GLASS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26
PROFESSIONAL.

NINE BROOKE TELLS ALL THE EVENTS %
w LII l.. All business confidential Ladies' aud
gentlemen 90 cents each 400 between 4th aud
9Th sta. NV mI2-sws
NJ ME- RAPHAL. THE CELEBRATED CLAIkvOY.
AVA ant and AstrOlOglst the seventh daughter born
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AstrCloger and Medium this city, hss located Der.
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Clay born with veil wonderful Of
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all family troubles evil influences confidential sdvio0
on tending PENSIONS divorces law suits speculationA
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NINE. DREAMER, The ONLY WONDERFUL
WI Gifted English and German Astroloeer in the city
Tells all events OF life. Once hours am 10 y D Ia
On SUNDAY IRON 10 An 70 $50 p.En @le4 9Th nv
ap3-lm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26
TIE ELECTRIC DEATH
Arrangements for Kemmler's Execu-
ton at Auburn Prison.
HOW OTHER NATIONS DO IT.
EnroPcan Instruments OF Deaih-ts-
ecution> in China Methods of Infiict-
Ing tine Death Penalty Among Bar.
barOus Peoples.

u ETH the execution Of Joseph Kemm-
n ler the convicted murderer. at Au-
INV burn prison next week new era
" VI in capital punishment begins. The
electrical continuance by means of
shich Kemmler will be executed was con-
structed under the supervision of Harold p.
Brown. all electrical engineer of New York.
The machines are Westinghouse dynamos and
the current to be used is known the alter
mating current, which comes in pulsating
waves. and which recent experiments demon
strated to be the most deadly of all currents.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26
Found Unconscious In an Areaway

TOuHU CHCOHsCIOu6 IN an xAreuWHy.
Pierre Bayard Cox. son Of ex-Congressnan
Cox Of Raleigh, NC, and a student in the Col
lege of Physicians and Surgeons In New York,
is in the Roosevelt Hospital suffering from Q
fall down an sreaway ON the southeast corner
OF 9th avenue aud Cad street.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

In Spain and its colonies the garrotte is the
instrument OF capital punishment. The con-
demned man sits on a seat resembling cob
bier's stool, with his back against an upright
post His feet are strapped to the legs of the
stool The upright is pierced by two holes at
point just above the mans shoulder, in each
of which a steel bar is inserted. These with a
cross-piece IN front, form the collar. In the
upright back of the neck is a bar Of metal
which 10 operated By screws worked by Q
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

When mother says Johnnie,
Won't You please get up, sonny"
Why, JOhnny can't hear her at all;
But when father says john"
Johns slumbers are done
He knows its the nrst and last call
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-26

Why the Money Flies.
The dollar has upon one side
An eagle in its grace;
And on the other. fair in youth,
A woman's pretty face:
So such a combination tells
To every thoughtful eye,
Between the two il is not strange
They make the money ny.
-Pittsburg Dispatch.