The evening times., 1899-04-13
A SPANISH TORTURE MAcHINH.
Old Gsrrote Taken From the Prison
at Havana.

Old GaFr0te Taken From the Prison
af Havana.
Havana, April 13.-An interesting relic
OF the Spanish administration In Cuba has
been removed from the Presidio la Habana.
or general penitentiary. This is the old
garrote which was used to execute con-
demned criminals 1t will probably be ta-
ken to the governor generals palace. and
there, along with other articles of a his
torical character, kept in wing OF the
building for the information of future gen.
erations.
In structure It is simple and almost
commonplace. 1t is an iron pillar firmly
fixed in a wooden platform. This latter is
about 10 feet square and feet from the
ground. Attached to the column is an
iron chair. Two feet above this there is
an iron collar, which is closed by a
screw running through the column and
frightened by a bar similar to that OF a
modern copying press.
The end Of the screw is pointed. and
when twisted UP protrudes about an inch
into the centre of the ring.
The victim was placed in the fatal chair,
the ring around his neck and his hands
and feet firmly tied. The white cap was
then drawn over his face, quick twirl
given the screw, and the spinal column
broken by the point entering the neck.
The execution generally took place at sun
rise, and the garroted prisoner was left In
the chair until sunset.
The procession to the chair of death was
one of the mOrst horrible features OF the
old time executions. 1t was made on foot
and huge crowds gathered to witness it. 1t
was made the occasion for general merri-
ment There is something innately cruel
in the Spanish and Cuban character, and
the spectators did not as a rule evince any
feeling for the agonies of the condemned.
All along the route he was greeted with
ribald taunts. jeers. and laughter. The
spectacle had all the excitement of a bull
fight. with the added zest that the victim
was a human being. Consequently the
most was made of it.
First in procession came squad of So
diers. Then the prisoner. with a priest
on either side. Then fifty of a peculiar
brotherhood called the "Hermandad." or
long black robes. wearing masks and
carrying lanterns and bells. Then more
soldiers, a surgeon. the governor of the
prison, the judge who sentenced the pris-
oner. and the bearers of the rough wooden
shell which was to receive the dead body
The preliminary proceedings were inter-
minable, and the prisoner in full view o.!
the CHASTITY instrument OF his destruction
suffered the agonies of hundred eaths
before his throat was pressed by the fatal
ring. Orders and proceedings innumerable
were read. a confession endeavored to be
extorted, the sentence reiterated and con-
firmed and a long religious ceremony he d.
Fully thirty minutes elapsed before the
sentence of the law was carried out.
The present executiOner is a negro NAM
ed Valentine. He is about sixty years of
age and was originally himself condemned
to death for the murder of a labOrer on a
plantation. His sentence was changed to
penal servitude for life. and a few years
later the Office OF public executioner fall
ing vacant he was brought from Ceuta to
fill it. He has garroted nearly seventy
persons.
He enjoys kind of freedom in the pri-
son. has a private room. and Is allowed
outside for a stroll now and then. There
is little fear of his running away. The
lower class eXecrate him. and were he
recognized in the city he would BE- torn 10
pieces. He goes out therefore at night in
disguise.
Sanguilly was the last prisoner cOndem
ned TO the garrote. He was pardoned on
representations of the American represen-
tative and the promise that he should not
again take up arms against Spain. He
broke his words to the Spaniards. and has
shown his gratitude to the Americans by
taking every opportunity to belittle their
administration in Havana