Whether you’re for it or not, Capital Punishment has played a huge part in history. Be it enduring a long, painful death in the town square or a swift chop at the neck in the guillotine, history has seen it all.
Not all executions go to plan though, turns out quite a few have gone very fucking wrong actually.
Mind you, most eventually ended up with the desired result. You take the rough with the smooth I guess.
This Issue isn’t for the squeamish, by the way.
Robert-François Damiens, Dismemberment by Horse - 1757
Up until it’s ban, dismemberment by horse was one of the popular choices of execution in France during the 18th Century. Dismemberment being the forceful removal of the limbs. In this case, by tying the man to 4 horses.
Such a method was used on Robert-François Damiens, a French domestic servant who attempted to assassinate monarch Louis XV in 1757, good old Louis the Beloved.
Damiens only got as far as wounding Louis, rushing past the Kings bodyguards and stabbing him with a pen-knife, causing a slight cut of less than 1 cm in the monarchs chest.
Damiens subsequently made no attempt to escape and was apprehended immediately. - Good effort, Rob.
Robert was at first tortured to try and identify any possible accomplices, he was burnt with red hot irons and was subject to molten oil & lead poured all over him. The efforts were unsuccessful.
Damiens was then emasculated and sentenced to death.. by dismemberment from horses.
Whilst being brought from his cell on the day of the execution, Damiens allegedly said “La journée sera rude”, translating to “This day will be hard” - Fucking not wrong there mate.
The strength of the horses alone weren’t enough, Damiens’ limbs didn’t separate easily.
Officials then ordered for Damiens’ tendons to be cut. Once cut, he was quickly stripped of his limbs and left with just his torso.
Damiens torso, reportedly still alive may I add, was then burnt at the stake.
There are a few accounts of Damiens last words, the most popular translates to -
“O death, why art thou so long in coming?”
- All that for a 1 cm cut, hope it was worth it Rob.
William Kemmler, Electrocution - 1890
Convicted for the murder of his common-law wife, William Kemmler was an American peddler, who ultimately became the first person in the world to be executed by electric chair. - Solid achievement.
Kemmler was convicted of first degree murder on May 10th 1890, and three days later was sentenced to death. Set to be the first person executed by electric chair under New York’s new execution law, replacing Hanging.
The day before his execution, the chair was tested on a horse to great success.
August 6th 1890, the morning of his execution, Kemmler was rudely awoken at 5 am, given breakfast and had the top of his head shaved.
At 6:38 am, Kemmler entered the execution room to the attendance of 17 witnesses.
Upon looking at the chair, Kemmler stated - “Gentlemen, I wish you all good luck. I believe I am going to a good place, and I am ready to go.”
Witnesses claim Kemmler was very composed for a man about to die. He did not scream, cry or resist in any way.
Once in the chair, his face was covered and the metal restraint attached to his bare head. “Take it easy and do it properly, I’m in no hurry” said Kemmler.
1,000 volts were sent through Kemmlers body for 17 seconds. Which was believed to be more than adequate to kill a man. - Wrong.
Once the power was turned off, Kemmler was declared dead until witnesses noticed he was still breathing.
After confirming him to still be very much alive, Kemmler was once again shocked, this time with 2,000 volts. - Double it up, boys.
Blood vessels under his skin ruptured and some witnesses claim that his body caught fire. The smell was unbearable, with most spectators having to leave the room.
- Good start to the electric chairs career.
Mary Queen of Scots, Beheaded - 1587
Easily the most renown on the list - Mary Stuart, cousin of Queen Elizabeth I.
Being the only surviving legitimate child of James V of Scotland, Mary inherited her fathers throne at just 6 days old.
A long life on troubles with her cousin Elizabeth ensued - Way too long of a story for this Issue, maybe we’ll touch on this another day.
Anyway - On February 7th 1587, Mary was convicted of treason against Elizabeth and was sentenced to death by beheading, scheduled for the next day.
During the 16th Century, it was customary for the working executioner to ‘request the pardon’ from the victims of their axe before going ahead with the show.
On this occasion, when asked, Mary responded - “I forgive you with all my heart, for now I hope you shall make an end for all my troubles.”
The first blow missed the target, as it struck Mary directly in the back of the head.
The second hit her neck, but didn’t cut right through, just breaking bone.
It took one final swing to see the job done. Making what should have been a relatively quick death, a very fucking drawn out one.
It’s also recorded that Marys dog ran out from under her skirt after the execution. Being hidden there the whole time.- How true that is, who knows.
I remember learning about Mary back in school. If my memory serves me well, she apparently paid a lot of money to ensure the executioners axe was sharpened, giving her a quick death. A worthwhile investment it seems.
William Kidd, Hanging - 1701
One of the most prominent ‘pirates’ in known history - William Kidd lived a rebellious life of crime and his actions granted him an eternal seat in pirate lore.
Well, it's also believed that he wasn’t actually a pirate, but was commissioned as a privateer and had ‘experience’ as a pirate. - Questionable.
Kidd was tried and executed in 1701 for piracy and murder in London.
He was allowed to purchase as much food and drink as he liked whilst spending his final days in prison, and happily did so.
On the day of the execution, Kidd approached the gallows drunk, protesting his innocence to all onlookers.
As Kidd was dropped from the gallows, the rope snapped, leaving William slumped on the floor in a much more sober state.
Claiming it to be divine intervention, Kidd reiterated his claims of innocence, which ultimately fell on death ears.
He was taken back to the top and dropped again, the rope didn’t break a second time.
Kidds body was suspended over the Thames for years as a warning against all piracy. With remains of his body still seen 3 years after the execution. - Gnarly.
William Williams, Hanging - 1906
William Williams, a convicted murderer, was the last person to be executed in Minnesota, with the Capital Punishment being abolished in 1911. - They ended on a fucking wild one too.
Williams was convicted of killing teenage boy John Keller, and his mother. The boy of which Williams was enamoured with.
Williams was arrested and tried for premeditated murder, though pleaded not guilty through reason of ‘Emotional Insanity’.
February 13th 1906 - Williams was executed in Ramsey County Jail, Minnesota in front of 32 witnesses.
"Gentlemen, you are witnessing an illegal hanging, I am accused of killing Johnny Keller. He was the best friend I ever had and I hope I meet him in the other world. I never had improper relations with him. I am resigned to my fate. Goodbye." - said Williams from the gallows, insisting his innocence.
The trap door fell and down went Williams, but the rope used to hang him proved to be too long. Williams hit the floor, very much alive.
Three of the Sheriff’s deputies held Williams’ body up by the rope for over 14 minutes, until he died of strangulation. - Imagine watching that one, bad day out that.
Williams attorney stated that the execution was “a disgrace to civilisation”.
The botched execution ultimately led to the abolishment of capital punishment in Minnesota, where it has never been reinstated.
Slightly morbid one today I know, the topic struck my interest so I thought I’d share my morbid curiosity with you.
You’re welcome.
- M
On This Day -
1774 - British House of Lords rules that authors do not have perpetual copyright.
1825 - Russia & Britain establish Alaska-Canada boundary.
1962 - Steve Irwin is born in Victoria, Australia. - Fuck Stingrays
Sources -
Wikipedia - Numerous
Youtube - Top Tenz (Channel)