Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-12-30

two Young Spaniards, al Havana, by the names
Of Francisco Abrew and Juan Meles, Tor the
murder Of two tavern keepers near THAI place,
was handed 10 US by gentleman in this city
from his private correspondents. hese young
men wen, from New ORLEANS to Hava@a, snf.
we're known in hi, place. where they resided
for time.-Aew Orleans Aduer. Neu IA.
Havana Sept. o., 1929.
Dear Sir-Nolhiug particular has occurred
since your depar ture, except the execution: 0I
tn. two unfortunate young men Tor murder,
Yesterday, Of which you requested me 10 iur.
aish YOU an account. Their fates occasioned
on intense ineres, in the minds OF the people
Of Havana, whether natives or foreigners; the
former ac,uated by commiseralion for the un
happy suff; rers. the latter by a vehement de-
.ire TO see which Sas nios' powerful, the laws
or money. This time, however, wonderful TO
say, justice triumphed over corruption, They
were garro,ed no, hung; the commutafion OF
punishment, from iguobe death to one OF
now gentlemanly class, being brought about
either by the influence Of their friends or by
,heir a,i,locraiical claims 10 better treatment
than in awarded TO plebran criminals.
At FIVE O'Clock yesterday morning repaired
To the usual place Of ,xecuiion, al the Pun's,
and fuund the platform erec'ed and the gar
own gate and the galows, on gentle eeva
ton, so as 10 b. plainly visible TO the surround
lug spectators, and might b. abou; five feet
high At little past six rode up 10 the gate,
and had just placed myself in proper situa.
lion to view tbs procession, when it made its
appearance IL passed ihrough the gate with
GU, noise Of drum, horn, or any Martial par
ade or hustle, as we have often seen formerly
on similar occasions The spectators were
hush.d and a; last the prisoners eppsarsd-
they were guarded by few soldiers marching
a, considr able distance from them on both
sides OF The road The first was stout, we'll
built, handsome young man, .pparen'ly about
% years of age, dressed IN close >eodied blue
coat, whose aspect bespoke the agony OF his
mind. He was supported by clergyman and
friend, but appeared 30 much exhausted that
if he had not been held up sy his supporters
| he must have fallen. Fie threw up his eyes
several times as he passed, on the muliludes
on the walls and rolled them in such way thai
he appe AIRED under the influence Of phrenzy.
The other was supported by your friend Ar
mona and another, and was dressed in Water
loo coat Of green cloth. He was ia figure the
re, ers- Of his fellow sufferer, being remarkably
thin visag cJ, Of delicate form, and might br rs
years Of age. He was The one who would have
been overpowered by one OF the murdered mtn,
had i, not been for the timely assis,an" Of his
more powerful mpanion, who assisted in des-
pate hing his opponent with % wounds.
Two Of the exrtutionrrs were there already,
the elder one putting hi, neck into the iron
collar 10 Try il il wa, properly arranged
Though these t&o operations were truly ludi.
crous, yei such was he drccncy Of the crowd
that thew forhore laughing or making any OBJ
r.ation when the prisoner had mounted,
which he did with firm step AID 40 undsnnr-
ed couH,ehanre, seeming 10 have recovered his
fortitud- with his approaching dissolution, he
made SD. ech Of abou, ten minu.es duration,
which purpor,ed 10 be tha, h- was condemned
unjus,Iy and was about 10 suffer innocenty.-
He then f,lr the sea, three times wi his hand I,
10 Try is Fl mnrss, and sat down. The coat
was thrown back. the collar adjusted, The screw
turned, and quicker than | wri'e this sentence.
life was extinct. His head fell on his left
shoulder, and reclined in such posture that j,
gave him thr appearance Of person 'aking a
nap after severe drbsuch. At the FIRST turn
Of 'he screw his tongue protruded about an
inch, and his face was no o herwise dishgured
han I'd, he LOOKED rather blue.
The second now made his appearance, evil
de.,ly worn down by depression e spirits, by
whirh he had swallowed two days previous to
the execution, but which was discovered in
time to prevent fatal consequences II. like
wise addressed the spectators, and had ingenu
business enough 20 confess his criminaliry. He
then sat down on different bench, to which
the garrote, having been removed from the
other body, had seen attached-ihe horrible
screw VS. turned, The head tumbled. the chin
resting "n The breast, and the tongue was pro-
nuded about six inches! the mouth opened
wide. the black of the eye was driven into the
head as it were, the whites only appeared, aud
his aspect was such rs we would imagine
horrible ghost might present, I never Saw any
thing more appalling.
left the ground about 9 o'clock, when there
.,ill remained a trosp Of lanceis 10 guard the
bodies. I, is remarkable that there were no
boxes or plates stationed opposite the Jail a.
is customary with meaner culprits, to receive
donations Of the charitable to redeem their
souls from purratory, nor did they carry cru
ci6xrs in their hands to the place OF execution,