Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-09-18
F''f tFFt I7Ff'F '''T'7'' T VI -
General NarcisO Lopez.


General Narciso Lopez.
! This general was not, as might be sup
posed from his movements on Cuba, a ma
tive of that island. He was born in We
nczucla, South America, in 1899, and was
therefore in the filfy-second year of his age
at the time of his death. His iatlrer was a
merchant, and he was the only son, though
he had several sisters His father carried
on business in Caraccas, and had branch
OF his house at Valencia, which was under
the charge Of Lopez in 1914. when the
revolution, broke out He thereafter joined
the army ofSpain, and served gallantly, so
that he was, when only twenty two years
old. made colonel. The people, under
Bolivar, having succeeded in the struggle
against Spain, and the Spanish authorizes
and army evacuated, Colonel lopez went
| with them to Cuba, where he married, and
established himselfin business.
He was in Spain some years afterwards,
during the Carlos trouble, and took part IN
favor of the Q queen, for which he was APP
pointed aid d-de-camp of General Valdez,
afterwards cap'ain-gcneral of Cuba
whose friendship he always enjoyed. He
was subsequently appointed to the com
mand of the National Guard, which post
ne retained until his return to Cuba. Be-
fore leaving Madrid, however, Gen. Lo-
PEI had been appointed senator from the
city of Seville, which he resigned on the
expulsion of the Cuban deputies from the
Cortcs After his resignation Of the sena-
torship, the government. for some time, re-
fused him permission TO return to Cuba
Finally, however, in 1889, when he did
return, his Friend Gen. Valdez, was cap
tain general Of the Island, and this circum-
stance, it is said, induced him to postpone
his efforts to revolutionizc the government
of Cuba, which, it is said, was his design
in returning to the island. The subsequent
downfall Of Esrartcro tanotl,er friend of
lopez led to the recall of Gen. Valdez,
leaving him free to commence his opera
tions He Immediately resigned his place
as governor of Trinidad ard president Of
the military commission, which he rcceiv-
ed from Valdez, and, while apparently en-
gagged in working copper mine, was al
work in endcavoring to insfil the spirit oI
revolution into the minds of the inhabitants
of the island.
J In 1913 Gen. Lopez supposed that his
arrangements were such as to justify an
open demonstration. But, while waiting
for information from America, his plan.
were discovered by the government; bis
friends were arrested and he fled 10 this
country, where, for the last three years, lie
has been prosecuting his design OF over
throwing the Government of Cuba. In
May Of 1850 he made bis famous mcvcmcn,
on Cardenas, and as suddenly evacuated
was prepared to make another denonstra-
ton, and in August made his landing in
Cuba, at Bahia Honda We know the re-
suit He found no sympathy among the
people. A portion Of his party were taken
in their efforts to escape in boats, and exc
cutcd. On the 9th of August he was Ia
ken, and.on the lst Of September was gar
roted in Havana.
, The New York Sun says:
Among the relatives of Gen. Lopez in
, Cuba arc, his brother in law, the Count o'
. Pozosdulccs, a nobleman Of great wealth
and high character; Madame Frias, wil-
ow of a nobleman, his sistcr-in-law. He
had no other relatives. They all left town
previous to the execution, unwilling to be
near On such an occasion. He has Il son
Is years Of age, studying in Switzerland
His wife is in Paris. The General was
very wealthy, but spent his income as fast
as he received it. In this and the previous
, unfortunate expedition he lost very large
sums.
The Nonparcil, Of Cincinnati, states that
two sons of Gen. Lopez are among the
students of St. Xavier College in that city
Gen. Lopez, with Eis hands tightly bound
together, in front, stepped forward, and in
strong clear voice slow y spoke to these
around as follows:
81 pray The persons who have compro-
missed me to pardon me as | pardon them.
"My death Will not change the destinies
of Cuba" The execurioner, standing a
little behind. here interrupted him in an
Insulting tone, with Come, be quick, be
quick"
}, General Lopez, turning his head partly
around, fixed his eye on the man. and said,
f sternly, gritting his teeth, "What, SIR" He
then continued.
"Adau, my 5eiorcd Cu5a Adteu. my
brethren!
The general then stepped back, seated
himself on the stool. A priest with the
crucifx and taper stood on one side of him,
the executioner on the other. The collar
was then placed around the prisoners neck.
The priest now placed the crucifx between
the Generals hands. and just as he was in
the act of inclining bis head to kiss it, the
executioner swung the fatal screw, and
the head Of the unfortunate man at the
same instant dropped forward, touching
the crucifix. He never moved AGAIN.
There sat the body of one of the bravest
men that ever drew breath, but a n.cmcnt
ago alive, now a ghastly corpse.
The execution was conducted in the
most orderly manner and in perfect silence
No shouting, or any other exhibition of
plause was manifested. Whether this was
the result Of the news from New Orleans,
or the express orders Of the Captain gene
raj, is not known.
Immediately after the execution, Gen.
Lopez's body was taken down and private
/ ly buried
The special reporter Of the New York
Courier, who went OUT to Havana, says
that Lopez addressed the people in loud