LAST TIME IN PUBLIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 76, 1 April 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

LAST TIME IN PUBLIC.

YOUNG PARTS BANDIT EXECUTED

IN LA ROQUETTE

On February Ist in Par'.s took i-lace the execution of Peugnoz, the lasWvictim of toe guillotine to expistte his crimo in public in Paris. Henceforward all executions will take place within the precincts of I'he prison. Peugnez was one of the worst types of the young bandits who swarm in an.l fibcut Paris, and who are a. crowing danger to the city. He murdered a raapectnblf-" woman who had oV:an given him food and clothing, the sole motive of the crime fteing plunder. At the same time he murdered her nephew, a little boy of about ten, who might have beer an awkward witness. Having robbed the- house Peupnez went off to spend the money in company with a young.woman Of his, acquaintance. In spite of the nature of his crime f!eterTTiinecl efforts were made to secure from the President a commutation of the s^ntc-nee. The execution, however, was decided upon, and the usual crowd gathererl rear the Roquette, and passed the nigh', drinking, singing and playinjr dice. The fact that none of these people could pet near the guillotine did not prevent their staying there all night ( IN THE BITTER COLD, some of them have even mounted the rool's of the houses, to enjoy the sensation- of knowing that a man was to te executed in the adjoining street. I'c-'ognez, after having passed through a period of fear and depression, died in the end with firmness, tinctured with bravado. When awakened he sat .up aiyl said ;o the director oC the prison, 'You are going to turn me out of the place.' He drank a bottleful of rum. Alter the toilet he shivered, but said: 'That is due to cold, not to fear,' and turning to M. Deibler, he said, 'Tlwow a coat over my shoulders or I wili get inflammation of the lungs.' liis last words, which were repeated twice in a loud voice when he appeared before the guillotine, were: 'Neve confess.' The operation took only a few gr-o-.CTids. He was seized, put on the plank, and the knife fell. Some wag informed the 'Patrie' that Lord Rosebery and Dr. Jameson hod been admitted within the cordon to viow the execution, and the 'Patrie' has an indignant note on the subject,. protesting against the favour shown .to Prance's chief enemies. The 'Presse' substitutes the name of Lord Salisbury for that of Lord Rosebery. and seems to regard it as an international question.