The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-21
CU|LLOTINED.
Anarchist Henry Faced Death
Without a Sign of Fear.
Vast Crowd Saw Him Die-Last Words
We're For the Long Life Of Anarchy.

PARIS, May q. = Just as day was
breaking this morning Emile Henry, the
anarchist. who was condemned to be de-
capitated for causing the explosion in the
cafe Of the Hotel de Terminus in Feb
ruary last. was led from the Prison de la
Roquette to the instrument Of death that
stood Just outside the prison walls in the
Place de Ia Roquette.
As the gate swung open to allow of the
passage of the condemned man and those
who accompanied him. the crowd that
had gathered TO witness the execution re-
peated In subdued tones "Here he comes -
and then the prisoner came into view. AS
he passed between the portals OF the prison
he showed no sign of trepidation. On
the contrary. he wore the same air of brag-
gadecio that has marked his conduct dur
ing his trial, and as he stepped outside
the gate the silence was broken by the
cry of "Vive pAnarchie," which broke
from his lips
From the Place Voltaire to the Boule-
ward de Menilmontant the Rue de la
Roquette was packed with humanity.
except the space Immediately in front Of
the prison, in the center of which stood
the guillotine. The crowd was kept from
Infringing on this space by strong guard
of troops and gendarmes. Soldiers and
policemen were also stationed in the ad-
jacent streets and about the Prison des
Jesunes detepus, which Is situated on the
opposite side of the Place de la Roquetts
from the Roquette prison. Their pres
ence, however. was not needed to keep
order. as the crowds of people present,
made up chiefly of the lowest classes of
the popuIation, msde no disorderly dem
onstrations
Gendarmes. with drawn swords. ST.
1ently surrounded the guillotine, await
ing
The Coming of tho Doomed Man.
At 4:12 o'clock the little gate in the
large gates OF the pri5on swung open, and
Deibler, the public executioner, passed
through. He was dressed In black. and
wore the inevitable high hat that he does
when officiating at an execution.
Following him came priest, who was
recittnR almost inaudibly the prayers
of tho church for the dying, although
Henry had refused to accept his ministra-
tions.
Then came Henry in his shirtsleeves,
and with bis arms pinioned. Though he
tried to assume nonchalant air, his face
was deathly pale, and his eyes glittered.
Beyond this he showed no sign that he
feared to meet the awful fate in store for
him. As he emerged he muttersd more
to himself than to any one else: IL am not
allowed to walk properly" referring to
the manner in which he was pinioned.
Then raising his eyes he saw those await
ing his coming, and he at once cried out:
Courage. comrades; vive pAnarchie."
The walk to the guillotine was exceed
ingly short. As the party advanced the
gendarmes saluted the condemned man,
as Is their custom. Henry paid no. at
tention to them, but with his eyes fixed
on the instrument of death walked stead
lily to IL, and with the speed borne of long
practice he was seized by the assistants of
Deibler and bound to the bascule. which
was at once tipped down and slid for
ward until the bare neck of the doomed
man rested into the lunetta
The Final Scene.
Then there was q fash as the heavy
glittering knife dropped. At the same
moment, Henry cried out again, ''vive
pAnarchie," and then there was silence.
The head Of the anarchist dropped into
the basket in front Of the guillotine.
while . torrent of blood flowed on to the
deep layers of sawdust placed at the /
head of the guillotine.
The headless trunk was quickly un-
bound from the plank on which it rested.
and together with the head was hastily
deposited in the cofiin prepared for it.
Then the coffin was placed in the black
van that 10 . feature of every execution
IA Paris, and the remains were hurriedly
conveyed to the 'turnip field" the burial |
place of executed criminals, where It was
As the van was driven away |
the crowd. laughing and joking, dis
persed.