CHOICE OF DEATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2492, 12 October 1922, Page 1

CHOICE OF DEATH.

CRUCIFIED AND BURNED. GHASTLY LYNCHING STORY FROM FRANCE. PARIS, Aug. 2. Some of the evening newspapers published an almost incredible story of the crucifixion and burning alive of an eightcen-year-old youth at the village of Vandelicourt, near Compeigne. Inquiry on the spot, in face of the apparent determination of the villagers not to talk, has shown the story to be perfectly true. The incident occurred in September, 1914, during the German advance. The youth, Camille Caron, was alleged to have set fire to a barn, and the villagers, in view of the disturbed conditions, sentenced him to death. Caron was arrested at his uncle’s house, and this man, named Vitoski, has now been interviewed. His tificle is said from the first to have regarded his nephew’s punishment as natural and just, and professes no hostility to the authors of the crime. A crowd came to his house, dragged Caron from his bed, and took him away. The maire, Bullot, whoso barn it was that had been set on fire byCaron, was among the crowd, but it appears that he went home before the culmination of the tragedy. Caron was locked in the fire-engine shed while his captors went off to consult an ex-judge, who lived in the neighbourhood. The latter is said to have told them that the prisoner should he “handed over to the people.” The men returned, and took Caron out of the shed to a harrow, which was standing, spikes uppermost, against a wall. To this they bound him, striking him with sticks and kicking him. Vitoski says his nephew’s lorearms were broken with blows. He was then taken to the still burning barn, a sack was pulled over bis head, and lie was thrust into the fire with poles. It is stated that Caron was given the choice of death by banging, by shooting, or by fire, and chose tho latter. saying that be did not wish to be pul into ;t coffin.