The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-23
CUBA.

Execution of the Brothers AEuere-WondcrfuI
Feat of Endurnnce-Details Of the Execu-
tion.
HAVANA, May 17.-On Saturday last Spanish
Havana was gratified with the execution by the
garrote of two young men of good birth, supe-
rior education, and gentle manners, for the
crime of resisting Spanish domination in this
island and fighting for what the Americans
deem the inalienable right of self-government.
They died with perfect calmness and serenity,
winning reluctant admiration from their enc
mics and many an expression of sympathy from
others.
Gaspar and Diego Aguero, respectively
twenty-six and twenty-five years of age, were
born in the city of Puerto Principe, sons of Don
Constantine and Donna Graciana Aguero, both
belonging to the old blue-blood families of
Camaguey. The oldest was educated in Paris,
the other in New York, in which latter place
both had resided for a considerable time. They
were both highly accomplished adopts in all
physical exercises, speaking many languages
and acquainted with the literature of all.
The brothers were tried by court-martial, and
sentenced to die by the garrote. Even the
Spaniards, who seldom have a tear for their enc
mics, were affected by their unassuming yet
noble bearing, and it Is stated that the Spanish
officer who defended them at one stage of the
proceedings broke into an uncomfortable ft of
weeping. After the sentence was read to them
they turned and grasped each others hands
with cheerful smile, and spoke few words in
English, not understood by those around them,
but regarded as words of affection and encou-
ragement. They were at once placed In the
capilla, when tive Jesuit priests were sent them.
These they received with gentle courtesy, but
declined to receive the consultations Of the
Church, protesting themselves rationalists. The
priests were fascinated by their manner and
bearing, and afterwards were loud In their en-
comiums upon them. They were subsequently
taken to the Principe fortress the hour of four
Saturday evening being fixed for the execution.
An immense crowd gathered, and it is esti-
mated that full seven thousand people were
present. The scaffold had been built very high
in order that the spectacle-for as such was it
intended-might be witnessed by all.
Before being taken to execution the irons
were removed from them that they might bid
each other farewell. AS the chains dropped
from them they embraced each other, the elder
quietly remarking in French, 'Aourons tran
quilleS et sans pdrler"-Let us die TRANQUILITY
and without speaking. The youngest issued
from the fortress first, and was marched en- foot
to the fatal spot, distance of near half a mile.
He walked quietly, smoking the Cuban's in
eyitable cigarette, which he threw from him at
the foot of the scaffold. Remarking the dis
tance, he said to the priest, ''The way is very
long; / shall be tired before l roach there"
On arriving he, of his own motion, seated
himself in the chair, and observing that it was
too high rose again that it might be adjusted.
He placed his head in the collar, when the
priest checked the executioner for moment,
again requesting him to confess. His only re-
spouse was "Acdba pronto," finish quickly! The
huge negro turned the fatal Drank, a spasmodic
thrueting forward of the lower part of the body
followed, and hero sat there dead. The
corpse was taken from the chair and laid upon
the platform, covered by piece of canvas.
When the elder brother, who meanwhile had
been marching from the fortress, mounted the
scaffold, he gazed at his dead brother lying
there, and, looking around upon the people,
seemed about to speak, when the drums began
beating. An amused smile stole over his fea-
lures. He seated himself in the chair, declined
the offer of the priest, and in an instant had
gone to join the other, while loud shouts of
f'ViUd Espdna % broke from the volunteers in
attendance and the populace.
In personal appearance the brothers Aguero
were unusually prepossessing. Of the two the
younger was the taller. They had dark eyes
and hair, like their race, and in their death
manifested q stoicism worthy of the Indian
blood which doubtless flowed in their veins.
The fact that they were brought here to suffer
an ignOminious death by the garrote instead ol
being shot has caused much speculation and nc
small share of indignation. Even the Spanish
officers say, 1--WE all think it was wrong to gar
rote them
The Government state that 1t was owing tC
their being part of the flibustering party of Col
couria. The truth doubtless is that they
were sent here that their death might affort
qualification to the uneasy spirits among the
volunteers and to create the impression that tn,
insurrection is at an end. Be this as it may, tn,
indignation among foreigners and neutrals her,
is beyond description, and curses loud and deeI
are uttered by many who have been wont L
hope for an early triuph of the Spanish cause.