EXECUTION OF TROPPMANN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 410, 25 February 1870, Page 4 (Supplement)

EXECUTION OF TROPPMANN.

Tho inuvdoror Troppmann paid tlia penalty of hi» Crimea on Wednesday morning in the presence of a vast multitude of spectators, and Paris has boon in a state of muoh excitement; not on account of suoh a man meeting the fate he deserves, but on account of the curiosity and eagerness manifested by all olasses of sooiety to witness his execution. To suoh a pitoh was this carried that tho Place de la Roquetto—the soono of the exeoution—may be said not to havo been free from a loitering crowd since Sunday. It was expeoted that the law would take its usual course, and that he would be executed on Monday, the time allowed to criminals after sentenoe of death is passed expiring on that date. But, from some reason that has not transpired, tho executiou was postponed, and means were taken on the part of officials to keep the actual day of execution as muoh a secrot as possible. The people, howover, wore not to bo "done," and rather than lose the gratification of pacifying their morbid appetites, preferred to keop on the spot until tho event had passed. While in tho condemned cell, Tropmann, as during his incarceration in the Conciergerie, was never left alone. A keeper and a soldier, who were relieved every two hours, were constantly with him, and were, in accordance with the strict rule of the prison, forbidden to speak to him upon any subject that occurred outside the prison. Troppmann through this part of his punishment conducted himself upon the whole very well, although ho would frequently burst into a flood of tears. During the last few days his appetite fell off considerably, and his rest also became much disturbed. On Tuesday night ho laid down about ten o'clock and fell into a light sleep, but afterwards became very fidgetty, and then got up, read, and afterwards throw himself down upon his bed again, and towards five o'olock on Wednesday morning, the officials called him, and informed him that hi 3 last hour was fast approaching. Ho was some time afterwards led forth. As soon as ho emerged from his cell he was received by his confessor, and conducted into a email room, where he received [the last words of comfort and absolution. Tho procession was then re-formed, tho priest still walking by the wretched man's side, exhorting him to pray for forgivenoas, till they reached another small room, whero the executioner was, with his assistants, waiting to receive him. Here his hands wore strapped behind his back, his arms were also strapped together higher up, and his legs were loosely tied together with the same strap as that with which his wrists wero bound. After the man was thus bound ho was requested to sit down on a small stool in order that his hair might be cut away from the nape of the neck. While this was being done the priest road a prayer in a low, impressive tone. It was now just upon seven o'clock, and the procession again reformed, the executioner taking charge of his prisoner by holding the Btraps which bound his wrists. After passing slowly through the court-yard of the prison, the last heavy gate was thrown open, displaying to view the hidoous guillotine, and as tho criminal marched forward a tremendous howl was set up by the thousands of spectators on tho outside. The % exclamation of tho multitude startled the criminal, who at once faltered in his step and had to be assistod to mount the bascule, or plank, on which he was afterwards strapped. This plank worked on a pivot, which was in an erect position when tho prisoner was strapped to it. As soon a:» this was done, it was pushed forward into a horizontal position, and tho wretched man's head became fixed as it were into a semicircular orifice. A moment afterwards tho knife fell and the head rolled into a basket bc-neath.