The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-09-07
BRANDED CRIMINALS.
The Spanish Mode of Punishment II
in Use in south
America.

The arrest in this city few days ago
OF young woman whose back bore the
marks of the three-lashed Spanish
whip, and whose left ear had been
shortened" by the eXecutioner's knife,
Sears evidence to the fact that barbar-
oue treatment of criminals is still prac-
ticed in the South American as well as
in some European countries
Louise Johnson, alias Little Lou"
whom the police call the cleverest con
tidence woman in the country, was ar
rested recently on the charge of shop
lifting. The police seldom have diff
Guilty in apprehending her, for the miss
ing ear is a teli-tale mark.
In this respect the woman's case is
similar TO those of a score of other
crooks who have felt foreign prison tor
lures and have been released, marked
for life
The case of the johnson woman is re-
garded by Capt. McClusky, chief of de-
tectives. as probably one of the most
remarkable in its extreme cruelty that
has ever come under his observation.
The wife of Big Tom" Bigelow, the
English bank robber, young, educated
and beautiful, she was arrested in Bra
zil less than five years ago, charged
with robbing Il Spanish countess of
several thousand dollars worth of dia-
monds. She had typical South Amer
lean trial, was sentenced to receive 40
lashes on the bare back and to have her
left ear cut off. Forty Iashes usually
means death to a woman, but this did
not alone satisfy Brazilian justice.
That the woman survived her punish
ment is remarkable, but as a criminal
she is no longer a success, for though
she wears her hair plastered down over
the spot where the knife passed, she
cannot hide the Disagreement.
Some months ago a well-dressed
Italian was arrested by detectives who
regarded his actions in the banking
district as suspicious. He was ques-
toned at police headquarters, but pro-
tested his innocence of criminal intent.
He was about to be released when one
of The detectives observed an ugly scar
on the mans forehead. On eNamina-
ton it proved to be a brand, the letter
IT. Questioned, the man confessed
that he had been released from a Ser
Wan prison, where he had been brand
ed as a thief. Several instances are on
record at headquarters where prisoners
have been proved international crimi-
nails by the marks of the llnout and
whip upon their bodies.
A rpmarlya bla casa wac that of hon,
Sassen, a Bulgarian, recently captured
in Boston. Sassen had committed some
| political offense in his own country,
and the law demanded that his nose be
| split. Sassen was wanted in several
cities, among them Chicago, on charges
Of swindling, and, though a skilled sur
geon had long before sewn up the dis
figured nose, the scar from the tip to
the forehead was too plainly visible to
| be overlooked.
| At the barge office are stationed gov
eminent detectives whose duty it is to
prevent foreign criminals from enter
ing the country. Here the indelble
marks of the iron and whip often make
detection certain.
Frequently these poor unfortunates
beg for admission, saying that marked
| forever, they cannot live longer among
their own people, and they have come
to America to hide among strangers.
Many were convicted of political Of
lenses, and these are generally admit
| ted.
Yes, we frequently come across a
poor fellow who has been compelled
to carry the marks of cruel punishment
to his grave" said Capt. McClusky. "A
marked criminal, like dead Indian, is
almost certain to be good crook, for
he has but small chance of getting
| away."-N. Y. World.
OIIRET,C H1ADn