Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-22
HORRORS OF TIE GUILLOTINE.
low Criminals Go to Meet Death Under the Knife-t I'm
nerves the Brayest of Them-Stimulants Are Always
Forced Upon Condemned Unfortunaes to Brace Them
For the Ordeal.
believe him. They hold on to life
like drowning man to a hencoop.
DAYS PASS PLEASANTLY.

| believe him. They hold on to life
like q drowning man to a hencoop.
DAYS PASS PLEASANTLY.
"Their days often pass agreeably
enough while waiting for the commu.
tation." continued the prison guardian.
because they have wine. tobacco,
playing cards and two of us constantly
with them to amuse them. but their
nights are wretched. When sleep comes
at asst. 1t is agltated and feyerish.
sometimes they stay up late in order
TO wake up late in the morning. 1t is
impossible. They always wake, with
frightened shock. about daylight, at
the hour they imagine the execution
ought to take place"
The French plan is to give no notice
OF the impending execution. Weeks
pass and the prisoner is lulled into a
raise sense of security. 1.-THE last one
watched" this guardian told me. had
an accomplice who developed mental
eccentricities during the trial. BY rea-
son or this my man made a completely
false calculation with regard to his
own tate. He kept saying that moth
ing could be decided for three weeks.
the time necessary 10 examine into the
mental state of the other. Yet a few
days after making this comforting dis
coVery ne was taken out one morning
to have his head cut off,"
uothel uio his DeSt 10 persuade the
guardian to tell him the moment his
appeal for clemency had been rejected
MY friend" said the guardian, you
VIII learn that only at the last mo-
ment' when they announce to you your
communication or your immediate execu-
ton
But want to know a few days in
advance" said the prisoner, "in order
to write some letters"
humanity refuses that aggravation
OF your misery" was the formal an
swer of the formal minded French
man.
THE Hateful MORNING.
When the fateful morning arrives
scarcely fifteen minutes elapse between
the reception of the news and the fall
Ing of the wretch's head. The guillo-
tine already has been erected in the
gray dawn. The prisoner may be doz-
Ing fitfully. The heavy key turns in
the lock, the bolts shoot and the door
opens. The prisoner jumps from his
couch to see the Directeur standing
there In company OF the priest, two ex-
ecutioncr's assistants and other func-
tionaries.
BE brave" he says. calling the pris
oner by name. Your appeal has been
rejected by the Court of Cessation, and
your prayer for Communication has not
been granted. The moment for ex-
piation has come. Have courage! Dress
yourself!"
The majority are SO dazcd that thew
dress and move about mcchanicaIlI
This guard remembered one frightful
case of resistance. however. 1t was
the case of Gaspard and Mayer two
Williams who deliberately a5sassinated
rich old Paris shop-keeper. Mayors
sentence had been committed and 1t
was Gaspard alone whom the dlrecteur
had to awaken that morning. The first
question of Gaspard was: as Mayer
to die with me?'
MY friend" said the priest, 1.-THE
minutes are too precious to think of
others than yourself.
But it's infamy!" cried Gaspard.
Mayer Is more guilty than 1 ami"
A horrible scene then took place.
Gaspard, knocking one of the guards
senseless with a blow straight from
the shoulder. threw himself on the Di-
recteur of the prison and succeeded in
biting his ear. 1t took four men TO
drag him from the cell. They dressed
him as best they could in the corri-
dor. The prison doctor having been
sent for hastily. was begged to do
something to prevent n scandal-for
the execution. like all others at that
time, was to take place in public ut
did not take him long to give Gaspard
a hypodermic," said the guard, telling
the story. Whatever 1t was. morphine