The morning call., 1890-11-28
DECAPITATIONS
IN SIAM.
The Oriental Fashion of Putting
Robbers to Death.
Terrible Tortures That the Victims Must En-
dure Before the Death Blow IL Struck.
Bodies Laft 10 the Vultures.

For several months previous to Octo-
Der, 1886, the city of Bangkok had been
the scene of many daring robberieS,
writes William P. Chapman to Sunshine,
and several times the most atrocious
murders had been added to the lesser crime
of burglary, until no sense OF security could
be felt by the citizens on retiring at night.
No one knew whose residence would next
furnish material for the robbers avarce, or
whose life would not be sacrificed in defend
ing his lawful property.
Notwithstanding the vigilance of the DO
lice and higher officials of the city the rob-
berries became more and more frequent, and
if it were possible more and more daring,
until a feeling of excitement and anxiety
took possession of the city. The skill with
which the criminals eluded detection sug-
gested the possibility that the officials them
selves might be in league with them, or else
the robbers were in posti on to know and
thus to thwart the plans of the authorities
to capture them.
But in October by what seemed the
merest accident, two of the burglars were
discovered, and on their arrest gave test-
mony which resulted in the capture of the
whole gang, fourteen in number. A young
American who was in the employ of the
Government had occasion in the discharge of
his official duties to visit Bam-Pa-Lu, the
Kings summer residence, few hours
journey above Bangkok, on the Menan
River. Delayed by his official business
somewhat longer than he expected, it was
already dusk as he approached. on his re-
turn, the capital city. To add to his discom-
future tempest, which has been for hours
threatening, burst upon him. Fortunately
an old, dilapidated house. oyerhansing the
river bank, was close at hand, and, at the
direction Of the young American, his row.
ers pulled the boat underneath it, where
they waited until the heavy rainfall was
over.
But the tempest had sent two other men
into the upper Dom OF the house also for
shelter, and, SuppOSlng themselves to be
alone. they INDUCED in a conversation
which disclosed their connection with the
long mysterious burglaries. Shrewd enough
to make use of his opportunity, the young
official sent his boat on to the city at the
cessation OF the storm, while he iol-
lowed the robbers to their habitation.
Before morning they were under arrest, and
within tweniy-four hours the other twelve
accomplees had also been secured. OF
these, three were, en- their trial, sentenced
to death, while the other eleven were i'm
priSoned for life.
A SPEEDY PENALTY.
w HdLSSeT may De Sdlu against the DdTDdT-
Gus penalties still practiced by the Siamese,
their speediness in executing punishment on
criminals Is an example to civilized c0un-
tries, an example which, If put into prac-
tice, might have tendency to lessen crime
by impresSng it upon the minds of the
criminal class that there can be n o possible
chance OF escaping the punishment OF vio-
lated law through appeals from one court to
another.
The execution of the three criminals, who
l. Tn
the same month OF their arrest, and was W.T.
messed by large crowd of spectators, as all
executions in Siam are public Among those
who attended the execution was the young
American, whose opportune discovery had
put the criminals into the hands Of the au-
ihorities. When he left the city. in company
with the American Consul, on his way TO the
place of execution, the rain was falling in
torrents. After proceeding as far as they
could by carriage they were then forced to
walk nearly half mile through ankle-deep
mud. but deemed the occasion of sufficient
importance to overcome even that obstacle.
The spot selected for the execution was
perhaps as dismal as it would have been
possible to have found within the precincts
of the city, and seemed in perfect harmony
with the sad event about to take place.
A small plat between two dllapidated tenn
pies, surrounded by swamp jungle, and
with fully 1000 vultures perched upon the
branches of the adjoining trees waiting for
Imagination with picture Of the place.
About a half hour before the execution
three stakes were planted firmly in the
ground about ten feet apart in direct row,
and each standing about two feet above the
surface of the earth. Banana leaves were
laid ON the ground beside the stakes for the
criminals to sit upon when placed in posi-
ton for execution. Directly behind the
stakes to which the prisoners were to be tied
were planted three more stakes with sharp
ppiutad top StaDnipn anont fact HIGH
These were to receive the heads of the VIC
tins after they were decapitated.
As soon as these arrangements were COM
pleted the prisoners. preceded by company
/ of soldiers and musicians, were led out to
the place OF execution. The legs of the
| prisoners were manacled with heavy iron
chains, n wooden yoke was placed about
their necks and their hands were fastened
| in wooden handouts After each prisoner
had been securely fastened to his appointed
stake the yoke and handouts were re-
moved and about fifteen minutes were al
lowed them to prepare for the final and
! tragic termination of their earthly careers.
INCENsING THE CONDEMNED.
Incense was burned in front of each oris-
oner, and any simple want manifested by
them was Immediately supplied by the at
| PENDANTS. AS the time drew near to con-
| sunmate the tragic scene the ears of each
prisoner were sealed with clay, their bodies
inclined forward IN sitting position, and
tnef neau5 SliSHlly bowed.
Marks were now drawn across the back of
! their neck to direct the eXecuiioner's aim,
| and il warned the doomed men that the end
was very near. but the sealing of the ears
prevented their hearing, and thus they cOnld
not know tie exact instant when they would
receive the fatal blow, as the executioners
approach from behind.
Presently the eXecutioners appeared from
out the temple with drawn swords In their
! hands, and dressed in scarlet robes trimmed
with gold. Tie swords were about three
| feet long, with broad and shining blades.
When within about thirty feet of the pris-
oners the executioners halted and, holding
their swords by the hilt and point, brought
them in front Of their faces for an instant.
Then. fourishiDg the flashing blades high
in the air, they noiSelesSly approached the
prisoners, with grinaces and contortions
! not unlike those assumed in an Indian war
dance, until directly behind them. Then
| they grasped the hits of their swords with
| both hands and simultaneously brought
| them down with weil-directed aim upon the
necks Of the doomed men. almost seyeriDg
| the heads from the bodies. To have COM
| pletely severed the head at a single blow
| would not have been considered scientific,
| or the mark of skilled executioner.
The moment the fatal blows had been
given the execntlOners disappeared as noise
| leSsly as they had come. The attendants
| then severed the heads completely from the
bodies and placed them on the top of the
| sharpened stakes.
The bodies scarcely moved after the heads
| were severed, but the contractions of the
| faces were something horrible to behold.
Indeed the contractions of one of the heads
| were so violent as to throw it from the
stake, but it was Immediately replaced by
an attendant.
The chains were now removed from the
| limbs of tire beheaded men by cutting off
their heels, and then the bodies were left for
the vultures to dssect. Scarcely had the
| Al l.
before the horrible hsrpies were at their
work, and a few hours later only the cleanly
picked bones of the criminals told Of an ex-
plated law, or suggested the sad tragedy
that had taken place there.
SAVING HIS AMMUNITION.
Whv N United States Marshal Held His