The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-09
A CHINESE MuRDERER.s END.


The papers brought by the last China
steamer contain a graphic description or
a native execution al kowioon. which was
attended By ali the Europeans within
days journey. The v.ctsrn. Lai Nit, had
murdered Chinese detective. and his
punishment, with all It's baroaric repul-
siveness. was made a. eonspicuously pub
lie as possible as an example 20 evil doors
Extensive arrangements were made for
the carrying out OF the execution. Flags
were flying from the battlements Of the
old fort and from three war junks lying
near the pier. and large numbers OF Chi
resa were gathered upon the beach
About s.I5 p. IA a war junk was sighted
around t1e point and q salute was fired
from the fort This was the signal for the
final arrangements for the reception Of
the Chinese officials A salute of three
guns from the fort was replied 10 by the
MAINTAIN junk. and then the junks along
side the pier opened fire Other salutes
from the fort we're followed by loud beat
ing OF gongs and sallges from the junks.
The soldiers now cleared a square on the
beach close 10 table at which were
placed three chairs The first 10 arrive
from the junk We're the Namtau court Of
ficsais, who arranged the table for the re-
cept3on Of the mandarin. The wooden
cage containing the prisoner was taken up
out Of the hold of the junk and carried
along the pier by coolies, and set down in
front of the mandarin's table The pris-
oner was rather roughly pulled out of the
cage ard forced down upon his launches.
He scowled fserce!y on all around him.
muttering imprecations upon his guards.
One OF the officials stuck long bamboo
TO which was attached a long envelope
bearing Chinese characters down the
back of his clothes.
All this time the crowd had been jostling
and pushing round the prisoner. and the
miserable specimens OF coolie soldiers
were ordered to clear the way 10 the exc
cution ground. After several ansuccess-
full attempts had been made TO clear pas
sage. the soldiers branilshing rattans
eventually cleared sufficient space to al
low of the passage of the prisoner and his
guard. The executioner--a tai. muscular
Chlnese-foiowed behind carrying his
ssleathed knife.
AT the execution ground the prisoner
was ordered to kneel down on his knees.
He was shacklesi with old rusty irons, his
hands being tied behind has back. His
queue was wound around his head and his
Jacket was pulled down from his neck.
which was quite bare. The executioner
Withdrew the knife-a weapon about five
feet long-from the sheath and set the
prisoner ira position. signifying 10 him TO
point his head forward. ard emphasizing
his instructions by kicking the prisoner
lightly in the chest. The executioner then
pulled away the envelope from the pris-
oner's neck.
Punctualiy at 40 O'clock the execu-
TONER swung down his blade and In one
stroke the head was severed from the
body. just az I.ai Nit was cursing the de-
.ay The head was thrown face inward
and the eyes were staring wide open. The
soiaaery Immediately on the fail of the
knife fired of a running vol'ey. The ex-
ecufioner lifted the head and placed il
at the top OF the iifeless trunk and then
cat the strings which secured the shack.es
around the arms and legs. Among the
the execution was one woman. The head
Of the deceased was hung up in cage
which was lying on the beach The body
viii probably be allowed 10 remain on the
| beach for some time.