The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-24

even an art-requiring lifelong study and
practice, and eXecutioners have to serve
an apprenticeship before being regarded as
qualified to administer it. In the old days
the chief knouter was always a criminal,
himself condemned to receive the punish
ment, but reprieved on condition that he
undertook the duties. at which he would
be employed within the prison walls for a
period of twelve years, after which he
would be released. While in prison he had
TO give instruction In the art to pupils,
whom he taught to practice by means of a
lay figure, which they would operate
until they acquired the necessary prof.
cheney.
Different prisoners were knouted in diff
ferent ways, according to the nature of
their offenses. In some cases the knout
could by slight alteration in the method of
applying it, be transferred into an instru-
ment OF death, while in others II merely
administered castigation. Immediate death
would be caused by making the victim
dislOcate his own neck against the faSten-
ings a result of the agony from the
blows
Death would be insured but deferred for
a day two by making the lash wind
round the body of the victim, whereby it
would cut into the interior of the chest and
cause mortal injury. A skilled operator
of the knout could smash brickbat into
dust at a single blow were he so disposed,
| so it will be seen what power is placed in
| the hands of these eXecutioners.
One of the most terrible stories of knout-
| ings comes from the Russia of 1923. Seven
| Tartars had been found guilty of murder
| and robbery in several towns. Their sem
! tence was that they were to be knouted
! in each of the towns in which they had
committed their crimes.
AT the first town, Akmetchet, they re-
ceived the first installment. which took
! place in the presence of the citizens in the
| market place. Each culprit was in turn
| fastened to an inclined post. with ring
at the top. to which the head was tightly
! fixed by means of a rope to prevent him
crying out. The hands were closely tied
| on either side, and the feet were secured
| by rings at the bottom. After reading the
| sentence the executioner approached.
| welding a knout as thick as a mans wrist,
| gave one cut and walked back about forty
yards F1ourishing his whip. he returned
| and struck again until the necessary num-
| Der was given
This process was repeated at each of the
| towns, the prisoners being dragged in irons
| from place 10 place. Not one of the men
| survived TO undergo the fun punishment.
The idea of subjecting woman 10 such
| treatment makes the mind shudder but
! one of the most terrible knoutings in his
| tory is recorded in which the victim was a
beautiful and brilliant woman, Nine Ca
| puchin, of the leading ladies of the
court of EliZabeth of Russia. She had
| been compromised through love affair
| with an ambassador. She was at nrSt or
| dered To have her togune cut out. but this
| the Empress mitigated TO knOuting. The
victim appeared on the scaffold dressed in
| a careless costume. and gave an entreating
| glance at the crowd hoping some Of her
| old friends and admirers might interfere 10
save her. But the people were anxious TO
| see the opera ton. and the unfortunate lady
| had TO undergo the frightful torture, which
/ was not mitigated in the least on account
/ of her sex.
| In all grades Of society there are stories
| of women having been iogged with ter
/ rible severity, even ladies of rank guilty
| of small offenses being sent off TO the po-
| lice station. like ordinary criminals. and
/ subjected 10 the same indignity A Ger
| man newspaper tells of an extraordinary
| instance OF this some thirty years ago in
| ST Petersburg. The victims were three
| noted beauties and were seen 10 be driven
! from an imperial ball, in their own car
| riages. 20 the police station clad in all
| the finery of their court costumes, TO be
| logged for an offense which We should des-
! ignate little tattle."
After the outbreak OF the Crimean war
| the Russian government issued an order for
| supplies of lint. rags and other aids for the
| use of the wounded, TO be supplied by the
| upper classes The wife of the Governor
! of Moscow. having heard of the superior
strength of the British and French forces