Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1886 — Executions in France. [ARTICLE]

Executions in France.

They have no blundering executions in France. The executioner is neither a hero nor an outcast, as in other countries. The system of executions has been simplified as much as possible. The instrument is ere ted the night before, and tried on a dummy to see that it works well. Formerly the condemned was often tortured and torn and hacked, and he was always encouraged by having a good look at the glean ing knife as he approached the ghastly inst.ument. Now the knife is hidden, the victim is in position in two or three seconds, a noiseless touch of the button, and all is over.