Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1909-07-22
HOW The Gu|LlOT|NE
WAS INTRODUCED
French Physician First Pro.
posed It and His Name Was
Borrowed" for It.
From the Indianapolis News

The recent recrudescence OF that bar
carlo instrument, the glillotine. at Be
thune, France, where 1t sliced or the
heads Of four murderers may again
machine which performed such bloody
tervice in the reign Of terror. The
Euillotine was preceded by number
bf similar machines, among which was
1.-THE Maiden" in Scotland. and another
used in Italy about the year 1873. 1t Is
supposed that 1t was an account of the
latter instrument that suggested to DR..
Euillotin the modern machine that
bears his name.
It has often been stated that DR..
Euillotin, born in 1898, persisted by the
Instrument which bears his name. but
1t Is beyond question that he survived
the revolution and died natural death
In 1914.
It was on December 1, 1889, that DR..
Guiilotin. a member of the constituent
assembly. brought before that body
proposition to inflict the death penalty
by means Of machine in describing
the operation OF which he said: With
my little machine strike off your head
in the twinkling of an eye, and you
never feel it," statement that was
followed by such burst OF laughter
as only French assembly could give.
Following this came popular song
which carried the name of the doctor
linked with the machine giving to It
the designation 1t has since carried
It had previously been intended by
the assembly that decapitation should
be by the sword, but Monsieur Samson.
the general executioner of Paris, doubt
less seeing much work ahead OF him,
pointed out many objections to the
sword and a committee OF the assem-
bly, requested DIR. Antoine Louis, secre-
tary OF the Academy of Surgeons. to
prepare memorandum on the subject.
Without even mentioning the name OF
Guillotin the committee recommended
the adoption OF a machine similar to
that which had been suggested by him
"A German by the name OF Schmidt. a
' maker OF musical instruments, who had
made number Of spinets and harpsi-
chords for Marie Antoinette. made. un-
der direction OF DIR. Louis. machines
for use in each Of the French depart
ments.
To determine the practical working
of this machine it was first tried on
several dead bodies at the hospital OF
Bicetre. 1t was afterward located in
the Place de Greve, it's first victim be-
ing Pelletier, highwayman. on the
25th of April, 1892. At first the ma
chine received the names "Louisette
and La Petite Louison," but the mind
Of the nation caught by the song of the
guillotine gave the name 1t has since
borne popularity and ofncially.
The guillotine was intended by its
euggester and by It's inventor to be ar
instrument OF mercy and 1t is said tha
Louis XVI. and his queen. Marie An.
toinette. both OF whom lost their heads
by 1t, were shown the model and were
greatly interested in 1t.
The execution of Charlotte Corday
who in French history comes next IL
romantic interest. furnished the mos
grim and sinister story of the guillo
tine. She, who with the most subli1n,
conception OF patriotism melted on
fierce justice to the monster Marat. wa
executed on July II. 1893. She had tn
distinction of being the only victim Oh
that day.
Some time later the question wa
much debated whether or not death b
the guillotine was instantaneous.
support OF the negative side the case 9
!, Charlotte Corday was adduced. He
cheeks, It was said. redeemed as wit
Indignant shame when the brute
headsman. who on this occasion wa
. not Samson, but Francois lie Gros. on
OF his assistants, holding up her hea
to public gaze, with atrocious barbarlt
struck the face with his fist
It was estimated that the death wer
of the guillotine in France in the Reig
OF Terror exceeded 10000 persons. I'll
blade Of the original guillotine wa
sold. 1t 10 said for $4,000. and Is now
the Tussaud collection Of grim curios
tiles in London.