Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-12
ONE ANARCHIST LESS.
The Head of Ravachol Drops Into the
Executioner's Basket.
HE DIES UTTERING BLASPHEMIES.
lie Is Not Allowed Time to Make Har-
rangue on the Scaffold.
CAREER OF A REMARKABLE CRIMINAL

when the ministrations of the prison chap
lain we're offered to him he refused to &C
cept them and broke out into strong in.
yectives against religion. In some way the
knowledge that this notorious criminal was
to be put to death this morning became
known, and q noisy and excited crowd gath
cred about the place where the guillotine
was set up.
Just as be was sliding forward under the
knife, Ravachol shouted: 'T have some.
thing to say" Deibler paid no attention
whatever to this, but proceeded to let the
knife drop. just as the heavy blade started
on its fatal journey Ravachol shouted 'sVive
Ia Republique," and q second later mis- sew
cred head was lying In the basket placed in
front of the guillotine to receive it.
The Details OF the Execution.
Ravachol was brought out of the prison
In a closed van. Though he could not be
seen he could be heard uttering blasphemous
cries Slowly the van passed through the
lines of silent troops and drew up near the
spot where the instrument of death had been
erected. AS Ravachol descended from
the van silence fell upon the
crowd Once alongside the guillotine
the prisoner was seized by the
assistants OF NJ. Deibler, the executioner,
who, with the celebrity attained by long
practice, soon bound him hand and foot.
His elbows were drawn back behind him
and bound together, his shirt was opened at
the neck anu turned down, and in a mo-
ment his unresisting form was pushed upon
the sliding plank that carries the body for
ward in a reclining position, SO that the
neck is directly under the knife.
After the morbid curiosity of the crowd
had been fully satisfied by seeing the end of
Ravachol, they slowly dispersed. There
was no single incident among the crowd
worthy of note. There is a general feeling
of relief now that the depraved villain has
at last had justice meted out to him.
Great Crowds Line the Ronte.
In some way the knowledge that this
notorious criminal was to be put to death
this morning became known, and a noisy
and excited crowd gathered about the place
where the guillotine was set up, eager to
see the end of the man who for a time by
his dynamite outrages terrorized Paris The
approaches to the scaffold were guarded by
lines of troops, who kept the way clear for
the condemned man and the executioner's
party.
Ravachol was one of the most eltraordi-
nary criminals of the age. His first murder
was that of the hermit of Chambels, Brother
Jacques Brunei, in the month of June, 1881
Brunei was an old man of 80, who lived in a
state of solitude amidst the Troese Noun
tsins. The object was robbery. Ravachol
was arrested, but escaped. Six weeks later
he killed and robbed two old ladies at st.
Etienne, but he escaped without being ar
rested. At the same time he robbed the
grave of Baroness de Rochetailles, near St.
Etienne. In 1856, near La Variselle, he killed
an old man of so, Jean Baptiste Rivollier,
noted for his charity. He also killed an old
man and woman, servants of Rivollier Be-
sides these crimes he wss suspected of many
others
Ravachol Jokes " hen His Hour Comes
The following are additional details of
the execution of Ravachol. At $50 the
officials entered the CELL which was fully
illuminated by a night lamp. Ravachol
was in a profound sleep. The director
tapped him on the shoulder and woke him.
and told him that the hour for his execu-
tion had arrived. RavachoI replied, SIT is |
well''
"Have courage said an official
sit would be unfortunate, indeed, if I |
had not" retorted Ravachol.
When the prisoner arose from his bed he |
was offered the choice of changing his prison |
clothes ior the clothing he had worn during |
his trial.
''Do you want help?" asked by-stander.
Thanks, 1 can dress myself" Ravachol |
replied, adding laughingly, as he dressed: |
''You see I am quite we'll One would |
think was about to be taken to ball."
As he placed his feet in his shoes, he |
noticed that he had forgotten his socks He |
said, lit is wrong not to put on socks, as 1 |
have damp feet 1t is not easy to lace |
these Shoes
He then asked for drink of water and |
drank it at a gulp. After these prepara-
tions Ravachol was taken to the office of the /
prison clerk, where he was asked if he had |
any wish to express.
His Desire for a Parade Disappointed.
'Yes," he replied; 'T want to address the
crowd. / have few words to say." Il
The magistrate, whom the French law
requires to be present, said: ''There won't
be any crowd" Ravachol looked disap-
pointed, and exclaimed "a, procureur"
The prison chaplain here asked, "Do you
wish to see me?" Ravachol replied: 'I
have no need of your services. 1 never had
any religion"
Notwithstanding this answer, the chap
lain approached Ravachol, saying: 'I come
10 bring you for the last time the consola-
tion of religion, and to put before you the
image OF Christ whose law you disre-
yarded."
"Idon't care rap for your religion"
said Ravachol. 81 don't want to see your
crucitix. If you show it to me 1 will spit
upon it. Iou are all of you people who
encourage superstition and try to make
people believe what you cannot prove"
Deibler here approached Ravachol and
began to bind his arms behind his back.
Zone can see" said Ravachol, "that YOU
ire used to this kind of work" Deibler
said nothing, but continued his task. Raw
lchol continued: "You don't answer be-
.ause you know you are doing a dirty bit of
york.
The Arch-Anarchisrs Last Fit of Rage.
Deibler said nothing, but turned down
he collars of the prisoners shirt and put
he straps around his feet The operation
rritated Ravvahol who exclaimed, THAT'S
10 good; shall hop the twig' in iiffy."
Assuming an air of banter, the prisoner
aid, This is civilization; this is progress.
Turning to the chaplain. he said, s.Re-
igion! what folly. How the world is be-
otted.'
Deibler here took hold of him and pushed
lim toward and into the van in waiting.
which at once started for the guillotine. The
rowd behind the Gordon of soldiers the
members of which had been uproarious DUR
ng the time of waiting, became hushed and
ilent the instant the van bearing RayacboI
ppeared. priest preceded Ravachol to |
he foot of the scaffold, showing him a
rucifx.