The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-04

who are directly responsible to the king
for the successful carrying out Of his
orders. After a procession through the
streets of the city, in which the unfor-
tuuate victim is compelled 10 carry the
weapon which is to take his life, the cav
alcade moves to the execution ground.
The headsman then proceeds to shackIe
the prisoners ankles together bind his
hands behind his back. stun his ears with
clay and bandage his eyes. The specta-
tors meanwhile take advantage of this
occasion to indulge in the most animated
speculation on variety OF subjects, Oft
entimes wagering their entire possessions
as to the exact moment when the victim
will be killed, or whether he win retain
his composure The prisoner is led for
ward and placed on an elevated dais of
earth in kneeling position, and mark
is drawn upon his neck with colored earth
to indicate the exact spot TO strike.
The headsman retires TO a distance of
about twenty PAGES and commence to leap
and oaper about, uttering cries and bran
dishing his dab" all the time advancing
toward his victim until within striking
distance. when he raised his sword as If
to give the fatal blow, but does not do so.
Again he returns to the same place as
before, and goes through a similar per
Torrance, which he repeats for the third
TIME Wnen, IuSnluB suddenly Aoi Naihf
with one sweep of his weapon, he sewers
the head from the body, amid the APP
plause of the assembled multitude or the
gloomy silence of those unfortunate bet
tors who have wagered against his sue
cessful performance of the feat.
Sometimes IL happens that the eXecu-
toner, through lack of skill in dealing
the final blow, misses his aim and gashes
his man in a frghtful manner. Should
this happen he is Immediately seized by
an assistant executiouer and condemned
TO death, another taking his place, who
proceeds to go all through the perform
ance anew, while the unfortunate wretch
is writing in agony and slowly bleeding
to death AS soon as the condemned is
successfully beheaded. the official who
has had charge of the affair chops OIL
the heels of the victim and slips the irons
over the feet These are conveyed TO the
king as testimony of his having faithfully
performed the duty entrusted to him.
This is, however, but one many customs
in which undesirable subjects may he dis
posed of. Such minor transgresslons as
theft, wife stealing and combating of ofh-
cial authority visit upon the head of the
offender punishment ranging in scale ac-
cording to the enormity of the ofense.
Thus a man may consider himself fortu-
nate If for his peccadillos he is subjected
to no greater physlCaI inCOnNemenCe inat
having the nails of his fingers and toes
torn out by the roots, suffering the loss of
an eye, tongue nose, or in more agra
waited instances, probably his hands and
feet A punishment which is reserved FOR
extraordinary cases is the building up of
the victim i'm plaster of paris-one of the
most diabolical and inhuman tortures that
the mind can conceive.
A large hole is dug In the ground OF
sufficient length and depth to hold the body
Of the intended victim and into this hole
he is placed, with his hands and feel So
curely tied. Liquod plaster of paris is pour
Ell in over the body, incasing 1t in a mold.
on cooling it hardens and contracts, grad
ually squeezing the victim to death in an
adamantine mold, and causing the most
excruciating torture. The body Is allowed
20 remain in this state for weeks and
months after death as warning to other
offenders.
Similar aboriginal methods are likewise
observed in the trial of those accused OF
crime This is more true outside of Bang
kok, for ip the latter city civilization has
had some appreciate influence in lessen
ing these abuses In Siam in general
however, the practice of trial by ordeal
is still common. The commonest method
is to give the accused handful of rice
to chew, and when the rice is mastlca ted
it is placed upon a small sheet of cloth
IL traces of blood are found, the guilt of
the accused is assured. and he is immedi-
alely punished; should there be no trace
he Is given his freedom.