The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-30
CUT OFF HIS HEAD. ,
The Priest Bruneau Executed
at LOval, France.
He Was Convicted of Numbering
Able Fricot-
HE WAS PENITENT.
Great Crowds Were Anxious to
See Him Die.

LAVAL, France, Aug. s0-The execu-
ton of Able Bruneau, formerly vicar Of
the Church Of Entremmes, convicted of
the murder Of Able Fricot, passed of
much more quietly than the authorities
anticipated. The order for execution was
not received until 5 o'clock this morning,
and Diebler aud his assistants did not
commence erecting the guilIotine until
2.15 a. u. From that time the crowd in
creased until fully 5000 people were
present
Maitre Dominique counsel for the
prisoner was in Paris yesterday trying 20
induce President Casimir- Perier to com
mute the condemned mans sentence;
but he was unsuccessful in his appeal
for mercy and arrived here last night.
The people of Laval were so indignant
at Maitre DOminique's action in appeal
ing directly to the president that it was
feared that he would be attacked and
consequently he left the train at sta
ton outside of Laval
Able Bruneau was awake when the
pu liic prosecutor. the examining magis-
trate and other officials entered his cell
this morning in order to inform him that
his last hour had arrived. Unaided the
condemned man dOnned his black
trousers and then put on his shirt, stock
ings and shoes. When dressed, Able
Bruneau was led to the chapel OF the
prison where the representatives Of the
press were already seated
In passing the holy water font the
able dipped his fingers, knelt and
crossed himself fervently. He was then
led to the altar, where he prayed for
few moments, and afterwards, with the
prison chaplain, retired to a corner
where the latter heard the prisoners last
confession. This lasted ten minutes,
after which mass was celebrated, Able
Bruneau following the prayers with
great devotion. He was led away to
breakfast apparently deeply penitent
After breakfast the prisoner again
cOmmuned the prison chaplain, and
asked that the clergy might pardon him
for breaking his VOWS of chastity. He
then informed the attendants that he
was ready, and showed great GOODNESS
until he arrived at the foot of the scat
fold, when his fortitude seemed TO desert
him. Upon the guillOtine platform
Able Bruneau kissed the crucifx
held up before him by the chaplain,
murmured short prayer, with his eyes
turned towards the sky, and then at
signal from Diebler he was overturned
upon the bascule, thrust rapidly forward
and at 300 a N. the knife fell and the
priests head dropped into the basket
he death of the priest was the sigma
for loud cries Of bravo" from the as
sembled crowds.
Able Bruneau was found guilty Of the
murder Of Able Fricot, cure at Entrem-
mes, by stunning him, throwing him into
a we'll, pitching blocks of wood upon the
old priest as he struggled for life aud
finally pelting him with long pole until
he was dead
He was also shown to have committed
a number of rObberies; to have spent
much money in fast living and was in
dicted for the murder of 4 widow named
Bourdais who kept a florist store. Nine;
Bourdais was found stabbed to death, and
her place of business ransacked Some
of the stolen money was traced to the
possession of Able Bruneau.