The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-05
He MURMURED A PRAYER,
Then the Death-DeaIing GuilIOtine
Swiftly Descended.

LAVAL, France Aug 30.-The execu-
ton Of Able Bruneau. formerly vicar Of
the Church Of Entrammes, convicted of
the murder Of Able Fricot, passed off
much more quietly than the authorities
anticipated. The order for execution was
not received until O'Clock this morning
and Diebler and his assistants did not
commence erecting the guiIodne until
2:15 a. m. From that time the crowd in
creased until fully 5000 people were pres
ent. Maitre Dominique, a counsel for the
prisoner, was In Paris yesterday trying
to induce President Casimir-Perier to
commute the condemned mans sentence,
but he was unsuccessful in his appeal for
mercy and arrived here last evening. The
people Of Laval We're so indignant at
Maitre Domini0ue's action in appealing
directly to the president that 1t was
feared that ne would be attacked and con-
sequenuy he left the train at a station
outside of Laval.
Able BIuneau was awake when the
public prosecutor. the examining magis-
trate and other officials entered his cell
this morning In order 10 inform him that
his last hour had arrived. Unaided the
condemned man quickly dOnned the or
binary black trousers Of priest and then
put on his shirt, stockings and shoes.
When he was 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 mis- fingers, knelt and
crossed himself frequently. He was then
led to the altar where he prayed for a
few moments and afterward with the
prison chaplain, retired 10 a corner where
the latter heard the prisoners last con-
fesston. This lasted ten minutes, after
which mass was celebrated, Able
~
devotion. He was led away to breakfast
apparently deeply penitent After break
fast the prisoner again cornmuned with
the prison chaplain and asked that the
clergy might pardon him for breaking his
VOWS Of chastity. He then informed the
attendants that ne was ready and showed
great GOODNESS until he arrived at the foot
of the scaffold. when his fortitude seemed
to desert him. Upon the guillotine plat
form Able Bruneau kissed the cruicifiX
held up before him by the chaplain, muir
INJURED short prayed with his eyes
turned toward the sky, and then, at Sig
nal from Diebler, he was overturned upon
the bascale. thrust rapidly forward and
al about 5:05 a. m. the knife fell and the
priests head dropped into the basket
The death of the priest was the signal
for loud cries Of Bravo from the as
sembled crowds.
Able Bruneau was found guilty Of the
murder Of Able Fricot. cure at En-
tremmes, by stunning him, throwing him
into a well, pitching blocks Of wood upon
the old priest as he struggled for llfe
and finally Delting him with a long pole
until he was dead. He was also shown
to have committed a number Of rob-
berries. TO have spent much money in
fast living, and was indicted for the muir
der of a widow named Bourdais, who kept
a florist store. Nine. BouFdais was found
stabbed to death, and her place Of busi-
ness ransacked. Some OF the stolen money
was traced to the possession of Able
RlTlneau