A few years ago while visiting an Indiana penitentiary the warden said
that some years before they used the cat-o’-nine-tails in punishing
their prisoners, but had discarded that mode of punishment. There are
men both in prison and out of prison who carry furrows and scars on
their backs caused by the deep flesh wounds of the cat-o’-nine-tails.
This is a whip with lashes some of which have wire interwoven so as to
cut the flesh with every stroke. The poor prisoner must bare his back
and be chained or shackled to a post and beaten by a merciless officer,
who is often only too glad to wreak his vengeance in that way. It is
yet the case in many prisons and stockades that a similar punishment
is inflicted with the exception of not so many lashes, and a strap is
sometimes used, from two to four inches wide, made by sewing two pieces
of harness leather together. The same is perforated, soaked in water
over night, and dipped in the sand. This, when vigorously applied to
the bare flesh, causes the most excruciating pain. This is not in the
least overdrawing the picture of what is constantly put into practice
at the present time.