Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-10-08
NARCISCO LOPEZ.

life, was, at the time of his execution, little
over fifty years of age, having been born in
Venezuela, in South America, in 1898 or 1899.
His father was once wealthy landed proprietor,
and his mother who is still living, is a woman
of rare elevation of character, combined with
strength of mind. In the struggles for South
American independence, his father was stripped
Of nearly all of his property, and reduced to
the necessity of entering into commercial bu-
siness at Caracas, and as auxiliary to his main
establishment he established branch at Valen-
cha in the interior, under the charge of young
Lopez. Here the latter in 1914 headed body
Of citizens and soldiers in defence of the town
against all attack Of the Spanish forces. After
a resistance Of three weeks, the place was obli-
ged to yield and was given up to pillage and
massacre. Young Lopez barely escaped with
his life. After wandering about for some time
as the only resource for safety, at the age OF ID
he enlisted in the Spanish army and was accep-
ted as a recruit and thus against his will, be-
gan his military career The civil war was
continued in his native country with vary
ing success on each side until 1923. During
its progress Lopez distinguished himself on the
Spanish side, against the patriots, by his skill,
his daring courage and feats of valor, and from
the ranks was successfully promoted to the
post of colonel of a regiment of cavalry, and
honored with the cross of San Fernando, of
the second and most distinguished degree, an
honor enjoyed by only one other person in the
army with which he served. He contributed
by his advice to bring about treaty of peace.
and at the conclusion of hostlities was invited
by the patriot government to enter its service,
with the same rank held by him in the Spanish
army. He declined the offer, however, and re-
tired with the evacuating army to Cuba, where
he married, and established himself in the island
Though retaining his nominal rank, he for po-
litical reasons remained in retirement, until the
death of Ferdinand VII of Spain, when the
liberal party assumed the government of that
country. Maria Christina, the bold but unprin-
cipled Queen Dowager, who had caused the
king in his lifetime, by his WILL to devise the
crown to her infant daughter Isabel, in disre-
gard of the Sale law, and to the exclusion of
Don Carlos the next male heir, then threw her.
self on the liberal party for support. The roy
alist party prepared to rise in behalf of the
rights of Don Carlos, but Christina anticipated
the struggle by disarming at a blow, the royal
lists throughout the kingdom so far as was prac-
ticable, service, in which the people were call
ed to the aid of the troops. Beginning at Mad
rid, it was at each important point but the work
of day, and by its suddenness, was successful
throughout the kingdom, and gave death blow
to the fortunes of the pretender. Lopez was
at this time in Madrid, having gone there to re-
claim large sum Of money belonging to the
family of his wife, which had been arbitrarily
seized by the Cuban government, and entering
into the contest on the side Of the Queen, head
ed bodies of the people, and greatly distinguish
ed himself by his valor, activity and boldness in
disarming the royalists. Having thus reappear-
ed upon the stage of action, he was despatched
to join the army as first ad-de-camp to the CON-
mander-in-chief, Gen. Valdez After taking an
active and successful part in the war, and rem
dering himself conspicuous by his courage and
daring he found himself at its close promoted
to the rank of General, and covered with deco
rations. He was appointed Commander-in-
chief of the National Guard, at critical peri
cd and at different periods filled the post of
Commander-in-chief Of various provinces.
On the expulsion of Christina from the re-
gency of popular instruction at Madrid, at
the earnest solicitation of the people he took the
command of the capitol, as governor of the city.
in that capacity he made most energetic prepar-
atoms for its defence, which were happily rem
dered unnecessary by the withdrawal, the Queen
mother to Paris Though earnestly requested
by Espartero, on whom the government then
devolved, to retain the post of governor Of Mad
rid, Lopez declined, as he did not care to act in
the repression of tumults, against the same
populace from whom he had at first accepted it
but consented to name his successor.
Lopez had previously been appointed Sena-
tor of the kingdom, by the liberal city of Sc
vile. He became Disguised with the spirit and
action Of the government in relation to its Am
ercan colonies, which he had now ample oppor-
tunity for studying, and thus, as it is said, was
led to form the design of liberating Cuba, The
principal of them, from the Spanish yoke. The
repulse of the Cuban deputies from the Cortes,
aroused his Indignation. Resigning his seat as
Senator he insisted on being allowed to return
to Havana, permission which he found some
difficulty in obtaining, on account of the jea-
GUS policy of the government An intimate
friendship with Esparto however, enabled him
at length to obtain it.
He returned to Cuba about the year 1899, du-
ring the period Of the Captain Generalship of
Valdez, his former general and also his intimate
friend, and consequently postponed, for while
the execution of the project he had conceived
of liberating the island. Under Vaez he was
governor of Trinidad, Commander-in-chief of
the Central Department, and President of the
Military Commission. The downfall of Espar-
to and restoration of Christina, led to the recall
of Valdez who was succeeded by O'Donnel,
and Lopez released from obligations gave up
the posts which held, though retaining his rank