THE GARROTING OF HAVANA BANDIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9452, 24 August 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE GARROTING OF HAVANA BANDIT.

Jtux Victoriaxo Maceix, a white native of Cuba, thirty-four years old, a famous bandit, was publicly garroted on the Ist of June, a Havana correspondent writes, in front of the city prison. He was married the previous night in the condemned cell to his paramour, there being heartrending scenes, " well-seasoned" officials weeping. On the way to the scaffold the criminal alternately faltered and struggled desperately, shrieking for mercy for the sake of his three infant children. The soldiery attempted to drown the frantic appeals by constant bugle-blowing. The condemned mail was superhumanly violent though heavily manacled. Forced at last into banquillo by a dozen soldiers, he was, when fixed, easily despatched, but his limbs were contorted frightfully. The executioner was a herculean negro. The priest on the scaffold was hurt in the scutlle, and tho military were unable to restrain their tears. The mounted police subsequently charged the mob ; many persons wire hurt in the crush. Machin's body was, after several hours' exposure, removed by the fraternity of " Pazy Caridad," according to the ancient Spanish custom. The case of Michan is specially remarkable, the culprit having escaped" several months back with his brother Luis, also under sentence of death, from the condemned cell in the Castillo del Principe, a strong fortress outside the city. He promptly reorganised a new gang and resumed marauding, frequently encountering the Guardia Civil. Luis is still at large. Vietoriano, tho now garroted man, was shadowed and captured by the Havana police, not by Guardia Civil. The dead man is said to have been innocent of human blood, but was executed under the kidnapping laws as a participant. Other bandits in gaol will be shortly garroted, and those still at large will probably follow soon. here is great satisfaction, the corresponj dent adds, in town and country'at the i course of events, *