Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-08-20

: |werc to be shipped to the United States,
which had been promised. but their hopes
were cruelty blasted when they heard sud
. den continued roar of musketry on the out
r side of the fort, and observed the soldier
: wives leap upon the walls and LOOK towards
. the SPOT where the report came from. Inc
I wounded were then conscious OF what was
assino. and one of them asked Sphon # he
did not think that their time was come; ana
ltwhen they became convinced from the move
,Iments about the fort that they were to oe
shot. the greater part of them sat down calmly
on their blankets, resolutely awaiting their
miserable fate; some turned pale. but not one
ldispIaved the least fear or quivering. SPhon
who was employed in helping them out was
accosted by wounded Mexican soldier on
whom he attended, and told to 60 ana assn
the commandment for his life. as he might
save him, as they were all to be sn"t' IA
bont this time, Col. Fannin, who had room
/ in the church for his use. came out OF the
church for particular purpose. when Mex
lean captain Of the battalion called Tres
Villas. with six soldiers came up to Sphon
and told him 10 call Col. Fannin, at the same
time pointing to a certain part OF the yard
where he wished him to be taken; Sphon ask
ed him il he was going to shoot him, and he
lcoolv replied. aYes.r When Spi.on APP
preached Fannin the Colonel asked what
was that firing. and when he told him the facts
he made no observation, but appeared reso-
lutte and firm, and told him he also was to be
shot which made no visible impression OH
Col. Fannin, who firmly walked to the place
pointed out by the Mexican captain, placing
his hand upon the shoulder of Sphon for sup
oort. being wounded in the right thigh, from
which he was very lame. All this>whie. the
soldiers we're taking the wounded, two at a
time near the gate and setting them down on
the ground and bandaginy their eyes, would
shoot them off, with the same indifference
thew would a wild animal. There were three
soldiers to every two. SO that If after the dis
charge of two muskets. death should nave
not been dealt forth, the third soldier placed
the muzzle Of the musket near their head or
breast and so ended them. When Col. Fan
min reached the spot required, the north west
corner of the fort, Sphon was ordered to m
terprct the following sentences hat tor
Having come with an armed band to commit
ldeprcdations and revo!utiOnIze Texas, the
Mexican Government were about to chaStise
him. As soon as the sentence was interpret
ed to Fannin, he asked II he could not see
the commandment. The officer said he could
not. and asked why he wished it. Col. Fan
min then pulled forth valuable gold watch
which he said belonged to his wife, and ne
wished to present it to the commandant..-
The captain then said he could not see u'e
commandment, but if he would give HIM the
" a,ch he would thank hi,n-ard he repeated
in broken English, ''tank you-nle tank you.,
Col. Fannin told him he might have the watch
| if he would have him buried after he WIS shot,
which the captain said should be done-"con
! tod as las formaiidades necessarias AT tne
same time smiling and bowling. Coi. Fannin
i then handed him the watch, and pulled out OF
his RIGHT pocket a small bead purse containing
douboons, the clasp of which was bent, ne
gave this to the officer. at the same t'he say
ing that it had saved his life, as the pau tna'
wounded him had lost part OF It's torce by
) striking the clasp, which 1t bent and carried
with it into the wounds part OF a silk hand
kerchief which he had in his pocket, anc
= which on drawing out drew forth with 1t tit
! ball. Out of the left pocket OF his ovefcoat
. (being cold weather he had on one OF ino''
!, iSubber.) he took piece OF canvass CONAN
: ing a double handful of dollars. winch he ais'
: gave to the officer. Sphon was then ordcfe'
!, to bandace his ewes, and Col. Fannin hande'
s him his pocket handkerchief. He proceede'
to fold It. but beng agitated he done II cum
I si,y. when the officer snatched It from III
hand and folded it himself. ard told Col. Fan
r. min to sit down on a chair which was near
. and stepping behind him bandaged ms eyes
saving to Col. Fannin in English, ''good
: cood's-meaning il his eyes were ProPerl!
> bound-,o which Fannin r. Piled, Eyes, yes.
. The captain then came in front and ordere,
his men to untix their bayonets and approach
!, Col. Fannin. he hearing them nearing hun
u told Sphon to tell them not to place thef
: mushets SO near as to scorch his face with TIL
. nowder.' The officer standing behind them
= after seeing their muskets were brought with
= in two feet of his body. drew forth his hand
= kerchef as signal. when they hred, am
nor Fannin fell dead on his right side on tn
chair. and from thence rolled into dry ditto
). about three feet deep, close by the wall.
j They then led Sphon near the gate, iron
g which another officer took him and place
- him in the room OF Col. Portin. with sentn
.3sel over him. He asked the officer If ne wa