The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-23
WEIRD SCENE IN SIAM
QUEER CEREMONIES ATTENDING
EXECUTION OF A CRIMINAL.
Murderer Permitted to Enjoy n Final
Smoke with the Headsman
and His Assistant.
DIR. Jordan's Bangkok Letter. in St. Louis

DR.. Jordan's Bangkok Letter, I'm st. Louis
Republic.
My permit TO attend the execution of VOC
uddhabbarananaiocano, highwayman
and murderer. was signed by the chief JUS
tice Of Bangkok, and TO avoid being seen
we started on our journey while it was still
dark, for since the Kings return from Eu-
rope, several years ago, beheadings are no
longer public shows. Indeed, one must have
influence in the highest circles TO obtain an
invitation to one of these rare ceremonies.
We left the western part of the town at
a. m, with liberal provisions of bread,
chocolate and peppermint schnaps, moving
quickly along the grand avenue of the cap
itaL the River Meinam, until the network
OF canals that extends through the princi-
pal portion of the east side was reached.
There. leaving the pagodas, the tapering,
spiral roofs of towers and the lofty narrow
domes with movable gilded vanes behind,
our boat shot into the center of floating
homesteads where the poor natives dwell.
In the east side $1,000 households are said
to be anchored. frail structures, built of
light wood and bamboo, with matched
roofs OF palm leaves. By the light of the
moon we saw the peaceful families slumber
on their mats for the fronts of the houses
are entirely open.
The place of execution was in Wat Ma
casam, one of the walled city quarters,
which is now almost wilderness from age
and neglect. The ruined temples, shanties
and huts were deserted for the time being,
worshipers and inhabitants alike having
been driven out for the day by royal order.
Only the privileged characters, the BONES.
or priests, had remained behind, and most
or them were making their toilet In the
open we passed. Like the Chinese En-
peror'S, their official dress is yellow and
consists of several parts, a loin cloth, the
pan-nung and great cloth enveloping the
figure from head to foot. The pa-nunS is
about one yard In breadth by three long,
and is wrapped about the waist by placing
its center against the small of the back so
that the left-hand end comes well around
the right side, being turned in at the waist,
where a long, narrow band holds ii. The
outer garment is of saffron-colored mus
lin, like the rest-Buddah himself decreed
Ii So
MURDERER AND EXECUTIONER.
The murderer squatted in an iron cage
placed at the bottom of the police boat;
there were a number of army officers, the
states attorney and several dozen soldiers
standing sitting about in animated con-
versation. They laughted and smoked like
a crowd in a hotel corridor waiting for
breakfast.
At the stroke of the judge made his APP
pearance, walking up to an altar tempo
rarily set up against a wall of yellow mus
I'm. Hundreds of candles were burning on
and about the place of worship, casting
their light upon heaps of fruit, rice and
fours offered for sacrifice to the gods. De-
yOut people had sent them for the benefit
of the culprit's soul. In the center of the
altar lay six broadswords in red velvet
sheaths.
Upon a sign from the judge, the execu-
toner walked up TO the altar, followed by
five men, his assistants They all pros
trated themselves before the image of
Buddha, prayed aloud and then gave them
selves up 10 ten minutes of silent medita-
ton. After that the executioner anointed
the foreheads of his men with sacred oil,
prayed again and then handed to each one
of the swords. Finally the culprit dressed
il, khaki and loaded with chains, was con-
Quoted into the center of the palace. He
looked pale and i'll at ease. The soldiers
and policemen formed a circle about him
and drew their sabres.
After this precautionary measure his arm
chains were taken off. together with his
jacket, and he was moved backwards a
hundred steps until he reached a wooden
cross standing in front of the altar, about
three feet above the ground. He was or
dered to squat down, tailor fashion, and his
arms were fettered to the cross behind him,
but as the strings were not drawn tight
he could sit quite at ease
Five minutes for refreshments fol-
lowed I couldn't help interpreting the
judges orders this way. for each of the
executioners assistants walked up to the
culprit and successfully stuck a lighted
cigarette between mis- lips, which he puffed
with seeming relish. AS soon one cigar
cite was finished another was offered. and
so forth.
THIRTEEN PRIESTS.
Thirteen priests-the Siamese won't do
anything in even numbers-now marched
up. and. covering the culprit's head with a
shawl, engaged in long-winded prayers
lasting half an hour. When finished, they
removed the shawl and withdrew. Next
the executioner came forward to present
his excuses to the intended victim before
whom he sat down and to whom he talked
earnestly and with many gesticulations
calculated TO emphasize his words. In the
end the culprit seemed TO agree with him,
and nodded pleasantly to show his graft