The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-15
HEADS OFF FOR FOUR.
FriEhtful Scene at = 0uadruple Execution
in Algeria.


in Algeria.
PARIS, Dec. H.-A frightful scene was
enacted Wednesday in the principal square
at lsserville, Algeria.:.when four Kabyles-a
race closely allied to the Arabs-met death
by the guillotine. The names of the con-
demned men were Ali-Mohamid-Aissa,
Omar Ali Namou, Aissa Allouch and Ahmed
Amar Amerouch. The quadruple execu-
tion attracted croud of over ten Thousand
people of both sexes, many of whom came
from distant points to witness the tragic
event. The day was turned into a public
holiday and the cafes and other places of
public resort did thriving business. The
four men mounted to the platform with a
firm step and faced the knife with looks of
dogGed desperation, apparently unmindful
OF the avalanche of hoots and groans and
Rutteral ordinations OF e1ecration which
came from the great throng beneath.
The head board of the instrument of
death has been SO adjusted that the knife
should cleave the necks of the four culprits
at one stroke, but, as the spring was
touched, the mechanism became involved
and the knife slipped to one side. Three of
the men were instantly decapitated, but the
knife glanced from the neck of Omar Ali
Namou. who was at the end of the line to
the right, inf citing only slight flesh
wound, from which the blood flowed freely.
Quick as flash the headsman seized the
unfortunate wretch in his arms and placed
his neck in the groove from which the head
less trunk of his colleague, Aissa Allouch,
howl from the mob, which drowned the
groans of the wretch, the knife descended
for the second time and the intentions of
the law had been carried into effect.
The crime for which Aissa and his col
leagues were beheaded will be hereafter
tragedy of 1sserville." 1t occurred in the
spring of 1889 and created great sensa-
tion. A few kilometres from Isserville
there resided at that time farmer named
Dubois, who lived alone with his wife and
cultivated an isolated farm. On April 80,
when they we're at their dinner in company
with neighbor named Moureu, the four
men executed Wednesday burst into the
house. Their faces were covered with white
wells. Immediately Nine. Dubois spranR
toward a revolver which was lying on tho
sideboard of the dining room, but before
she could use it one of the invaders had
fired two shots, both of them taking effect
IN her back. The three others attacked her
husband and M. Moureu, using their guns
and heavy clubs. The neighbor fell dead
on the spot, his heart and lungs having
been traversed BY half dozen shots. while
Dubois was felled by terrible blow from
the butt end of rifle, which laid open
bandits pillaRed the farm, and all this time
which seemed like centuries to tho unfor-
tunate victims. M. and Nine. Dubois, par
italy conscious and maintaining their
presence of mind, simulated death, real
,zlng that if even groan or sigh escaped
them to indicate that they were still living,
thoy would be Immediately dispatched.
Among the other possessions of the un-
happy couple was an oak chest. securely
bound with iron and furnished with a lock
which resisted all efforts on the part of the
assassins to break it. Divining that it
conteined the savings of the family, the
contents but without avail. until finally
two OF them, who appeared to be endowed
with herculean strength, literally battered
1T to pieces with their formidable blud-
geons. Their diabolical perseverance was
rewarded by finding the laboriously
the latter had the agony Of knowing that
the results of a lifetime of economy, to the
total value of 25,OOO francs, wac being torn
from them without their being able to
raise finger in its defense.
Having secured the booty the robbers left
the scene of the tragedy, forgetting, how
furnished the clew which led to their dis
covery and apprehension. The chief of the
band, Ali-Mohamid Aissa, had formerly
been employed on the farm, and it WAS he
who had planned the crime and organized
the expedition. After being arrested he
capture of his accomplices. Nj. Dubois
and his wife are still living after year of
agony, but it is not thought they can much
longer survive their injuries.