The herald., 1894-02-06
THE EXECUTION OF VALIANT,
How the Paris Dynamitard
Met His Death.
He Gioried in His Diabolical Decd
to the Very End.
His Spirit of Brsvado Did Not Desert
Him on the scsfroId-rhs Mob's
Mad Rush Toward the
Gniliotine.

by the Associated Press.
PARIS, Feb. 5.--Auguste valiant, the
anarchist who, December 9th. threw a
bomb in the chamber OF deputies, was
guillotined. shortly after 7 o'clock this
morning. His last words were: death
to societyl Long live anarchyP'
Extra precautions we're taken by the
authorities to prevent the possibility OF
Vaiiiaut's friends carrying out their
threat OF avenging his death by COM
mitting another dynamite outrage at the
time OF the execution. Shortly after
midnight the police and military began
clearing the Place de Ia Roquette, where
the execution wss to take place, of the
rabble which had gathered there with
mutterings against the authorities for
not committing Vaillant's sentence.
The crowd was finally driven into the
streets opening on the place OF execu-
ton, and barricades we're erected to pre-
vent them from approaching too near
the guillotine. Then M. Diebler, the
public sxecutioner, and his assistants
appeared and erected the guillotins.
Diebler called attention to the fact that
the barriers were not so far away but
that one might throw bomb from them
to the guillotins, and the authorities
took the hint and moved the barriers
further back.
The preparations for the execution
were made in drizzling rain, but it
cleared away before the time for the
execution. and every point of vantage
around the Place dc la Roquetts was
occupied. The judicial authorities ar
rived st the prison at 6:l5. went to
Vaillant's cell and awakened him. He
turned deadly pale, but quickly began
dressing, with the remark to one Of the
prison attendants:
"You see, was right in saying my
sentence would not be ccmmuted."
Noticing his hands trembling, one Of
the officers counselled him to have
courage. Valiant smiled in sickly
way and replied: Never fear, I will
know how to die"
Being offered a glass OF cordial to
brace him up. he said: II have no
need of artificial strength, and despiss
the man who needs brandy to nerve
him to meet his fats."
To one of the attendants who offered
to assist him in dressing, he said: 81
am dressing az quickly as possible, and
will not delay you any longer than l
can help"
When asked If he had any statement
to make, valiant began defending an
aIchy in burning words. He continued
until 1t was suggested to him that they
were useless and out of place.
He refused to see the prison chaplain,
saying: II do not believe in religion !;
it is all sham. Let those who profess
religion give some evidence of it by ex-
tending a helping hand to the deserving
poor. This will do more to crush an
srchy than all the armies OF the world"
BEGAN a. ;zV Valiant imnsssfcbed between the
exeeutioner and his assistants, head
erect and defiant, while person IN the
crowd cried out: "He dies like true
anarchist |"
There was also an occasional cry OF
"Vive lanarchie |" from the crowd.
Standing at the foot OF the steps lead
ing to the platform, gazing at the gleam-
ing blade, Valiant shouted: "Vive
l'anarchiei' and a moment later, as
eending the steps, said: "a mort les
bourgeoise !" death to the bourgeoise j
On tho platform he cried: death to
society |" These were his last words.
He was quickly strapped to the sliding
plank and his neck placed beneath the
knife, which fell, severing his head
from the body.
The head and body were quickly taken
up and carried off at gallcp, while the
crowds made a tremendous rush fol
the guillotine, but the large force o
troops and police held them back until
| the guillotine was entirely removed.
Among the crowd gathered to witness
| the executiou waa a large number o
makers, male and female. from ball
held during the night. Among thu
women present were some Of the loves
Of the dsmi-monde, who behaved in
most outrageously indecent manner.