The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-27
Military Execution, tho Style Adopt
ed by the French In Indo-
Chins.
Bep SO. an Expert with tho Yata-
CHAN. Cuts on Heads Like
Flash.
4 nungling EreoutIonsr Beheadsd by His
OwR Intended VIotim-Nsrvs OF
Hluh lee.


military execution held nc Travinh, on the
east shore OF tho Cambodia river, some 30
years ago.
At that time France needed all her
available troops at home 90 resist the
steady advance Of the German armies to-
ward Paris, and all the colonial garrisons
were reduced 10 the lowest possible limit
Several of tho lndo-Chinese annexed prov
inccs took advantage Of this condition and
instituted "A revolt under the leadership Of
the two Sons of Fan Tan Chang, man
DARN who had been captured and killed
by the French in 1862 and by the Biuh
Bee, Biuh being the corresponding rank
In the Anamite armies to that Of brigadior
general On Europe.
The French naval commander Salicetti,
with MS many sailors ana marines as
could be spared from the few gunboats on
the India station, marched against the
rebels, but the small band OF white men
was ambushcd near the town Of Mocay
and slaughtered When a relief column
came up few days later, they found the
town deserted and saw the heads Of their
comrades impaled ON bamboos along the
roadside. Tho bodies were never recover
ed, but it was supposed that they were
thrown into tho Cambodia river.
When Admiral Dupre, then governor Of
French Indo- China, learned of this mas
sacre, he decided that it would probably
be easier to buy OF the leaders of the re
volt than 10 fight such savage foes. lie
therefore made an offer TO Biuh Tan, tho
second in command TO Biuh Bee, agreeing
to pay him ! 200, 600 francs, 20 recognize
his rank az general and 60 make him a
Knight Of tho Legion of Honor il he would
betray into the power of the French Biuh
Bee and tho two sons Of Fan Tan Giang
and suppress the rebellion in the provinces.
Biuh Tan accepted tho offer and carried
out his end Of the contract with the excep-
ton of the surrender of the two sons Of
the late mandarin, whom he allowed to es-
cape on junk 10 the city of Hue.
After his capture, Biuh Bee was tried
by court martial at Travinh and condemn
ed TO have his head cut off. The weapon
used for decapitation in Indo-China is a
curved yataghan, the razorlike blade of
which is wider and heavier at the end than
at the handle. The condemned may stand
upright or kneel upon a straw mating in
the public square, but his neck must be
entirely barred so as to offer a good mark
for the executioner He is also allowed to
mark on his neck the exact spot where he
desires TO DO struck with the yataghan.
Alt HINES AnAs llhIh ny ulOiHAtlluk his
forefinger with saliva, which is colored by
chewing the betel nut. which yields a
bright red juice.
There are no regularly appointed execu-
TONERS, but it is considered an honor with
the men of the native contingents of the
army TO be allowed TO act as headsman.
And as soon as these soldiers heard that
Biuh Bee was TO be executed they be-
gan practicing on trees and stumps with
their yataghans so as TO be in good prac-
tice if the honor fell 20 their lot. 1t was
finally decided that the dol, or captain,
of the native guard should act as execu-
toner.
When Biuh Bee was brought 20 the pub
lie square TO be killed, he looked disdain-
fully at the headsman and then carelessly
drew the red mark across the back OF his
neck. He knelt and told the dol to strike
hard and hit the mark. But for some rea-
son the captain of the guard lost all his
strength and courage at the last moment
and struck so weak and false blow that
instead of chopping of the biuh' head he
merely made an ugly cut across his back
and arm.
With a heather curse the condemned
man jumped TO his feet, and Selling the
sword which had fallen to the ground he
toner's head before any Of the French sol
diers, who were drawn up near by 70 wit
ness the execution, could interfere.
Coward shouted Biuh Bee, "to I'M
dertake duty you are unable TO performl
Die as you deserve and take what you
were unable 20 give"
The condemned man was then turned
over to the surgeons Of the post, who fixed
up his wound so that he would be well
enough 10 be executed n week later. When
10 came time for the second attempt, sol
dier named Bep So, who had proved him
SELF an artist with the yataghan, was as
signed to the duty Of chopping the briga-
der generals head of. Tho French ad-
miral, however, gave orders that If Biuh
Bee would tell where the two sons Of Fan
Tan Giang could be found his life would
be spared and he would DO sent an exile to
Algicrs. Biuh Bee refused TO pay any at
tention 70 this offer, but bowed his head
and marked his neck and said fiercely to
Bep So, who was waiting for the answer
that the French lieutenant expected Bee
20 make;
"Why don't you strike? Arc you afraid'
Must show you how to cut of mans
headg"
Bcp So lifted his yataghan high in the
AIR. lNNft WIS n IMeh Oh hAttls anu ANtn tue
head Of Biuh Bee rolled on the mating as
his body fell forward heavily.
Bcp So picked up the head aud held Il
by the hair so that the soldiers and the
crowd Of natives might plenty see how
well he had done his work. Then the three
wives of the dead chief came out and car
ricd OF their husband IS remains for burial
Three months later Biuh Bcc'stwo chief
licutenants were captured 10y the French
troops. aided by Biuh Tan's volunteers,
and they, too. were subsequently condemn
ed 20 death by "A court mutrial On nc
count Of his proved skill BepSo again On
ioyed the honor Of being appointed official
hcadsman.
This time the condemned men stood mp
right. back 90 back, about six feet apart.
Bcp 80 took his position between the two.
aud as scon as they had made the marks
on their ncc,.s he grippCd his yataghan
aud leaned forward on b. a. "a modern ath-
lete leans preparatory 90 throwing n ham
mer. When the French officer gave the
signal, Bep So lifted the heavy sword.
swung IL once around his head. and with
"A quick stroke 90 the right aud another 90
the LETT docapitatcd the two men almost
nc the same instant. lie threw away his
yataghan. and seizing the two heads held
ono mp ia each hand that the people as
sembled might admire his work