A Flogging for a Domestic Violence Offence: John Barbieri – Delaware 1952

FULL TEXT: Wilmington, Del., June 16 – John P. Barbieri, 30, flinching at every stroke of the cat o’ tails, received 20 lashes on his bare back today in Delaware’s first public flogging in three years.

Barbieri, sentenced to the flogging after he pleaded guilty to beating Mrs. Belle Davis, 59, last April 18, made no outcry during the 45 seconds it took to carry out the sentence.

He walked from a small shed after the flogging to the prison infirmary where he a patient “for a day or two” while his bruises are treated. Then he will begin a six-months jail sentence.

There was no blood drawn during the lashing by Warden Elwood Wilson, who delegated himself to the unpleasant duty of inflicting the lashes.

Mr. Wilson, who explained to reporters that “you can cut a man in two with this whip” said the flogging was made as “humane as possible by starting at the shoulders, working down to the waist and then up again” to avoid tearing at any particular.

Only 20 persons, including an official party of six, were present as he was shackled to angle irons in a small shed and the sentence of the court read to him.

Wilson then stepped forward and administered the lashes … straight-armed, without bending the elbow, with a whip of nine half-inch flat leather straps attached to half a broom handle.

Barbieri sagged several times as the lashing continued. Then he was led to the workhouse.

Some welts and bruises were apparent as he was led away.

Those present included the Rev. F. Raymond Baker, pastor of Second Baptist Church of Wilmington. He made no comment.

[“Wife-Beater Gets 20 Lashes In Delaware Under Old Law – Nine-Thonged Whip Used by Warden To Flog Bare-Backed Prisoner,” The Pittsburgh Press (Pa.), Jun. 16, 1952, p. 7]

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►• You have been told that before the rise of feminism in the 1960s that domestic violence against women was tolerated by society as acceptable behavior and was not taken seriously by police and the courts.

You have been lied to. The people who told you these lies were paid to tell them you. In most cases you paid your own money (taxes and tuition fees) to be lied to.

Here is one of countless pieces of evidence that demonstrate the truth.

►•►• To see more eloquent, vivid evidence proving the lie and giving you the truth, see:

►Society’s Acceptance of Domestic Violence?

►19th Century Intolerance Towards Domestic Violence

► Treatment of Domestic Violence Against Women Before 1960 – this post collects cases classified by the form of punishment or sentencing (whether judicial or through community action)

No, the claim that laws created by males were for the benefit of males is false. Yes, the "Rule of Thumb" myth has been proven to be a marxist-feminist hoax, taking an ancient English common historical notation published in the 18th century and extrapolating it into unsupported claims that 18th and 20th century United States communities, courts and legislatures (laws on the books) were in agreement with the18th century historical notation (Blackstone).

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“[O]nly since the 1970s has the criminal justice system begun to treat domestic violence as a serious crime, not as a private family matter.”

From the entry: “Domestic Violence” on encyclopedia.com

This claim has been proven to be false.

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