Year: 1859

j
municipal authorities, headed by several mount
ed kalmouks, marching along. My curiosity
was excited, and upon inquiry, fouod that the
celebrated brigand, Repkini, who, for many
months before, had occupied so much public
attention, was, that morning, to suffer the pun
ishment of the Knout. | had often heard of
this mode of Punition, but had never been
witness to it, and having double desire TO see
this famous robber, | resolved, at once, to be
an observer. Having arrived at the place of
execution, waited but short time before the
criminal was brought hIther from the hotel of
Police, bound down upon rough wooden sledge
and surrounded by about a hundred indivdu-
ais Of the civil power, each carrying Il musket.
In front of these proceeded six kamouks on
horseback, each with sabre hanging by his
left side, and by his right, was swung lance,
while in their hands they severally held little
whip of leather. In the rear, marched nu-
merous body of policemen, armed with white
staves: the whole under principal officer of
horse.


The unfortunate man, who had already twice
undergone similar punishment, was now ap-
preached by the executioner, aud prepared for
the tu.tlment of the sentence. lie was stripp-
ed Of every article of clothing, save pair of
course woollen drawers. a leather strap was
then placed around his waist, and firmly buckled
behind him, TO plank of wood. He was them
by process of machinery, raised above the
heads Of the spectators, SO that he might be
seen and known. His feet were next bound
firmly around the same plank of wood, while
the top of it was Gu: slopiugly, and in man
ner to receive his neck and arms. About his
throat was then passed a cord, which, at the
same time, ives carried to his arms, and laslen-
ed them tightly little above the wrist, through
iron rings; this was then brought down to cor.
responding ones at the bottom Of the plank, to
whic his feet were also securely attached. In
this position the culprit was made to stand with
his back completely exposed, and perfectly un-
able 10 stir.


This ceremony being finished, the nature Of
his crime and sentence were then read aloud,
the spectators standing uncovered. Complete
y absorbed in the agony ofsuspense and terror,
forgot to remove my hat, wien | was sudden.
y recalled from my abstraction by blow from
a kalmouk, who ordered me to uncover, and, at
the same time followed me up with a repet-
ton of the like, so that was glad to remove to
another place among the crowd.


The executioner, habited in black woolen
dress, now retired about six feet from the crimi-
nal and commenced his horrible business. Be-
tween each blow he always allowed an interval
of about six seconds to take place. AT the end
of every seventy-tive strokes he dipped the
knout or lash in powdered birthstone, which,
mngling with the blood, gave il deep purple
color. This operation was resorted to, to pre-
vent the cord from twisting and becoming
solid body. But, in spite of this precauton, it
became one thick and heavy lash, from every
sweep which it received in the hands of the
executioner, by being dragged along the earth
which, mixing with the blood and birthstone,
added it TO its weight and elasticity.


At the first blow the poor wretch uttered one
| thrilling scream OF agony, after which not ano-
,her sound escaped his lips for one hour and
half, during which he received three hundred
and sixty blsws without cessation. The officer
who was in command of the guard, and whose
duty it was TO see the sentence carried into exc.
cution, during the punishment, had seat SOL
dier 20 speak to him, but | was informed that
he never replied. The question pu: to him
was" Did he rcpent!"


The prisoner was now unfastened, and the
servant Of the executioner conducted him to
chair placed beside the sledge upon which he
had been brought. In this he was seated, while
to the front of it was affixed machine Of sim
gGIar construction. 1t was furnished with
sharp iron points, upon which his hands were
placed, and heavy weight falling upon them.
these were forced through quantity Of gun
powder was then rubbed into the bleeding


wounds, so as to leave an everlasting mark
The same operation was repeated twice success
sively, after which the nostrils were slit open
! by pair of sharp-pointed pincers.


. Notwithstanding this horrible execution, the
prisoner underwent the latter part of bis SEN
tence standing upon his feet, without the slight
t est support. He was then covered with hi:
!, shirt, placed upon the sledge, and conducted
e back TO prison, where, at the end of nine days
y he expired in the most excruciating torture.
a On inquiring of one of the police who hat
: seen him previous to his death, was told tha
= he saw him lying on bare oaken bench, attire,
e only in his drawers, with his back quite uncov
e cred, and his wounds fostering from a want o
a dressing. The prisoner informed this indvdu
e al. that if he had not been permitted to blee
If so freely, he was certain he would have recov
i cred. -.


s- The TAILOR, whom contrived to interrogat
s. upon this point, replied that he had been for
II hidden to afford him any snccor. Great God
!, was it not enough TO torture, but that it wa
d deemed necessary to resort to rehnemer


upon the most barbarous inhumanIty. Wer