Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-09

whom he was going to drown-whom
| ne had the power to drown, because OF
his nefarious activities. They were
taken out to vessel and thrown into
the hold. Then the vessel made its
way out to deeper water.
MY father and I stopped to watch.
When the boat was in midstream, the
unfortunate men In the hold were
thrown overheard to drown. AS they
came to the surface. trying to swim,
this man and wretched helper struck
at their heads--heads which already
wore the halo OF martyrdon-and
bruised them with their oars. Goulin
urged on his helper. Two of the con-
demned men managed to escape to
shore. My father and assisted them,
and carried them away with US on the
backs of horses.
"Those two men we saved were the
Abbes Briancon and Lacombe. They
took refuge In the forest. One OF them
died of cold, hunger and fatigue. That
was the Able Briancon. The other"
said Cadoudal, pointing to priest In
the crowd, lis here today-the Able
Lacombe, right there!
From that item, Goulin presided at
the drownings. In all the slaughter
that took place he was leading figure.
He may have beeen commanded by
superiors at times, but he himself took
a fiendiSh delight in his capacity as
the drowner. I have letter, In his
handwriting, which will prove the truth
Of what say. will read 1t to you.
Tell me II you ever heard OF anything
so callous as this:
"'Allow me to describe my marriages,
says this fiend Of Goulin. when get
ready for the baths'-he means the
drownings-'I strip the men and
women, and. 60 through their clothing
to see If they have any money or valu-
ables. then tie the men and women
together by twists. take them to the
river banks. They go aboard my boat,
two by two. Two men push them pc
hind into the water. When they try
to save themselves, we beat them with
clubs until they drown. This Is what
we term a civil marriage. (Signeo)
Francois Goulin.'"
There was q brief silence after the
reading Of this horrible epistle:
HAS Goulin ever repented?" Cadou-
having drowned more than 500 per-
sons, he seizes the moment when ne -
to die to ask to return in his capacity
as executioner to that place where ne
did away with 80 many"
THE condemned man rose In his chair.
Mercy! Mercy!" he cried, appearing
wen, since you ask for mercy, we
will consider the answer to your pleas,
said Cadoudal. There are 10000 peo-
nile here to see you die. If single one
among them asks Tor mercy ZOE you'
YOU shall have mercy"
mercy for the prisoner!" came the
clear voice of Able Lacombe.
Cadoudal objected. "You are the
one person. father, who has no right
to ask for mercy for this man: You
NAV help him to meet death-tnat Is
the only privilege we can grant YOU.
Cadoildal waited. Then he spoke:
"Is there any one among all you people
who asks for mercy for Goulln, the
drowner?
Not a voice replied.
"You have five minutes to make your
peace with God" said Caoouoai 10
Francois Goulin. Father, you may &C
connany him to the guillotine."
The executioner stepped forward 70
! do his duty. He rose and put his nano
on the shoulder of Goulin, to snow
that the condemned man now belonged
to him. The Able Lacombe approached
Goulin. but the prisoner pushed the
priest away. He refused every con-
dolence of religion. A frightful stug-
| gle took place between InlS HldA WIZ
would neither pray nor die ana MS
| two executioners.
The struggle lasted some minutes;
,, In spite Of Goulin's cries. his bites and
his blasphemies, the executioner picked
him up and carried him to the engine
of death. The assistant prepared MS
knife which was to fall and sever Gou-
inns head at the neck. Goulin was
nut on the platform Of the euillotane,
and fastened in place.
The Able Lacombe went up hrst, ano
waited for the culprit to speak; Sus
Goulin would not even put MS lips 70
VI Then took place an episode that Is
beyond description in words. the exc
cutioner and his assistant arranged the
Condemned man on the fatal plank. y
rocked. Then there was downward
flash of bright metal, like lightning.
ne was the knife--the falling knife
A dull thud shook the sair. deep
silence followed. Suddenly there came
the stern voice of Cadoudal:
1.-THE justice Of God Is done!
! --s--&----