The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-03
DEGENERATES HANGED
TWO FRENCH BOYS WHO READ THE
LIFE OF JESSE JAMES,
Then Robbed and Killed wealthy
Merchant-FOur New Mexico MUIR
derers Dropped from One GaIIOws.

LAFAYETTE, La, April 2.-The Blanc
brothers were executed here at 2:11 o'clock
p. m, in the presence of three thousand
spectators. There was much interest mani
tested but no disorder. The men ascended
the gallows accompanied by Rev. Father
Knapp, their spiritual adviser. They dis
played no fear of death. Ernest made a
speech from the galllows, in which he eau
toned all bad people TO listen to the advice
of their betters. He was sure Of meeting
his God and be adjudged for his sins on
earth. He advised all young men to alb
stain from bad books. He was sure his sins
would be forgiven. Alexis, the younger
did not speak, as he agreed that his brother
to talk for both.
Alexis and Ernest Blanc murdered Simon
Begnaude, merchant of Scott La, about
year ago. The boys both under
twenty years of age. They We're born and
reared in France. near Paris. were well edu-
Gated but very much spoiled. AS a conse-
quence, when their mother died several
years ago, they had neither money nor oc-
cupation. They emigrated TO America and
tramped from New York to New Orleans
without securing work. They reached the
latter city with 50 cents in their purse.
sought employment for two weeks and set
out to beg their way TO Texas. They met
planter at Scott who gave them "a home
and work. They educated themselves i'm
English and read all the books tney could
find. The life of Jesse James decided them
to win fortune by bold stroke and return
10 Paris. The robbery of Begnaud was de-
cided upon, and they bought revolvers and
sharpened two poignards and waited their
chance. After lying concealed for three
night they were able to get into Begnauds
Under the pretense of buying mouse traps
they diverted his attention, and when ne
arose they put pistols TO his head They
forced him TO open his safe. bound and
gagged him, got the key of his money
drawer from him and obtained about $3. 00U.
Then they forced him TO sit on his bed, and.
While helpleSSy plnloned stabbed him TO
death to prevent his securing their arrest.
He was wounded fifty-six times. The boys
buried the money and quietly went 10 bed.
They Kept at work Tor some time and tnen
left Lafayette, spent several weeks in New
Orleans and made a tour of Europe. Con-
science troubled them; they were in con-
stant dread all the time: their money was
squandered and they made up their minds
to secure peace and employment on the La
fayette plantation. In the meantime Sher
iff Broussard had begun to suspect them,
and soon after they returned they were ar
rested. After some persuasion they made a
full confession, and, TO escape popular
vengeance, were confined in New Orleans.
Lynchng was talked Of. but a tacit under
standing was finally reached TO permit the
made no slips. They were convicted and
sentenced 10 death. the Governor refused a
respite. although the Erench colony made a
hard fight, and to-day the first hanging
since the war took place in the parish.
Four Hanged at the Same Time.
SANTA FE, y. NJ, April 2.-Francisco
Gonzales Borrego, Antonio Gonzales
Borrego, Sauriano Alarid and Patricio
Valencia. condemned to death for the mur-
| der of ex-Sheriff Frank Chavez, who was
| killed from ambush on the night of May
| %, 1892. were hanged together on one seaf-
| fold at 9:O9 a. m. to-day Thursday night
| ten special guards were placed in the jail
| by the sheriff and this morning a draft
| of forty men was made on the cavalry and
infantry companies by the Governor, with
| Instructions to act under orders of Sheriff
kinsel. The scaffold was twelve feet by
twenty-one feet, with a six-foot drop
through d single trap six feet long and
| three feet wide. The prisoners passed a
| restful night, the guards saying tnat not
| one even turned in his sleep. The death
| warrant was read TO them at go this
1 morning and was received by the Borregos
with some righteousness. The vicar general
| remained with the doomed men until they
| were led TO the scanold, administering the
| consultations of their religion. They
mounted the scaffold attended by the sher-
If and three deputies and the vicar gen
/ eraI and disappeared from the view OF the
| limited number of spectators withiii tent
| which surrounded the scanold. None or
| them showed the slightest weakness and
| they made no statement except To request
| the sheriff not to fail TO remove all traces
| of the cause of their death before their
| bodies were turned over ID their families-
| The ropes and caps were adjusted and at
9:09 the trap was sprung. The necks OF all
/ were broken except that of Valencia. the
| lghteSt in weight. who died from strangu-
/ lation. The funeral will take place SUNDAY
| shnrfr