The New York herald., 1870-05-23
G q B a..
EXECUTION OF THE BROTHERS AGuERO.
Sketch Of Their Career Pursuit and Capture
Wonderful Feat Of Endurance Trial
and sentencs-sympathy for Their
Fate -unexampled Heroism-Ds-
tails Of the Execution

tails Of the Execution.
HAVANA. May II, 1870.
on Saturday last Spanish Havana was gratined
wih The execution by the garrote Of two young men
Of good birth, superior education and gentle man
ners for the crime OF resisting Spanish domination
IN this island ana nghting for what the Americans
deem the inalienable right OF selfgOvernment.
They died with perfect camness and serenity win
ming reluctant admiration from their enemies ana
many an expression OF sympathy from others.
Gaspar and Diego Aguero, respectively twenty
nix and twenty-five years OF age, were born IN the
fty Of Puerto Principe, OF Don Constantine
and Donna Graciana Aguero, both belonging
10 tho old blue blood families OF Camaguey. Ihe
oldest was educated In Paris the other In New York,
tn which latter place both mad resided Ior q
considerable time. They were both highly accom-
piished adopts in all physical exercises speaking
many languages and acquainted with the literature
Of all. Gaspar was In Puerto Principe when the
insurrecuon broke out having recently returned
thither from France. He was among the FIRST who
took the.sed after the Inauguration OF the Yara IN
enrgectiop, and was placed IN command Of one OF
the small parties Of Insurgents He took possession
OF san Miguel after It's abandonment by the Span
iarls, Of which place he was named Governor
On the retreat Of Valmaseda from Bouilla he
marched oot OF the town and waited for the
troops near Paso del Saladillo. Here his raw
recruits ran away after firing few shots, where
upon he dropped upon one knee, with his Spencer
scarbine in his hand, and continued firing with
deadly aim upon the Spaniards until he was sur
rounded ana captured. He was tried and sentenced
TO death; but upon The intercesson of the Spanish
Ofs,cers who were struck with his audacious hero
ism. his sentence was committed 10 imprisonment
for ten years. He sent 10 Havana ana placed in
the Mcrro, from whence he was released under the
amnesty proclamation OF Dplce. but was ordered to
Spain. Arrived there he was Internationally re-
leased by the Regent and at oace proceeded to New
York. He accompanied the Lillian expedition,
which, IL win be recoliected, proved failure, the
vessel putting into Wilmington, N. c., when 1t was
seized by the American government.
Proceeding to New York, he al once commenced
preparations for another attempt to reach the island
Though it cannot be positively stated yet it Is pro-
bable mat his brother was with him the greater
part, II not ALL the time after his return from
Europe, where they had met aud sailed together
the last expedition OF GoicourIa the two brothers,
with four others, left one OF the Bahama Keys in an
served with the Insurgents Joining Golcourla on his
arivI and remaining with MIN until he was d.
rected 10 proceed on his mission to Mexico
facts OF the discovery OF the party they
were about putiilg or from the Key
G0lRDa by one OF Tue Hu1DOatS, tnelr return ana
compulsory abandonment OF their boat isiamlliar to
the readers OF the HERALD, and need not be re-
peateI here. Alter wandering about ior few days
ana realizing that they must soon be captured die
Of hunger the brothers determined to swim to the
Cayo Romano, distance OF one and half miles
thc current running at the rate OF five miles hour
anu the channel known 10 be the resort Of IL large
number OF sharks. NotwlthStan i1n, The difficulties
and dangers of tile passage, their higa physical
training enabled them 10 accomplish 1t In safety;
but on approaching Cayo Romano in state o.
nudity, they we're observed by party OF marines
and tlgf
t. the scafIold commenced. they were
placed on board gnnboat from thence
ID charge OF an oAcer ana our marines, Drought TO
Havana From the time OF their capture they
maintained HE mo pe..ec serenity. eating, sic p
ing, reading anu chatting with he ofiicer though
ON pleasure excursion.
The brothers We're hied by court martial, and
sentenced TO die by the garrote. Even ths
Spaniards, who seldom have a tear for their enc
mies, were affected by theirsunassumug, yet noble
bearing and 1t Is sta!ei that the Spanish on O.
VINO defended them at one st sc OF the pl sdiugs
broke INTO an uncOnt olable lit OF weeping. Alter
sentence was rea9 10 them they turAed and grasped
each others hands, with cheerful smile, and spoke
leW words In English, not understood by
those around them. but REGARDED as words Of afrec
ton Gnd encouragement 1bey were at once placed
III the capa, when two Jesuit priests were sent
them. These they received with genie c0nrtesy,
but declined to receive the consolato1s OF the
Church, protesting themselves RltlOnafists The
priests We're fascinated by their manner and be ir
ing, and afterwards were loud in their encomiums
upon them. Tney were subsequently taken 10 the
Principe fortress, the hour OF four Saturday even
ing being fixed ior the execution. An Immense
crowd gathered, ana IL is estimated that luli 1909
people were present. The scaffold had been built
~ery mig III oruvr ti,1t the spec acle-for as spch
was it intended-mlght be Witnessed by all.
moved from then that thes might a bid each other
farewell AS the chains dropped from them they
embraced each other, the elder quietly remarking III
french, "M0lOns tfdnQutlIes ct sans parle,''-Iet
us die TRANQUILITY anu without speaking. The young
est issued from the fortress first and was marched
on foot to the fatal spot distance of near hall
eyitable cigarette which he threw from him ut the
foot eI the scatl9.a. Remarknig the distance,
long: shall be tired before rsach ihere,'' on
arriving he, Of his own mot on, seated himself In the
chair and observing that it was 100 tigh rose again
that 1t might adjusted. He placed his he I'd in the
collar when the p.iest checked the executoner f,r
moment, again requesting nm to confess. HIS
The huge negro behind turned the fatal crank, a
spasmodc thrusting forward OF the lower Part cf
the body followed, and hero sal 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
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 features. He seated himself in the
chair, declined the offer OF the priest and in in
stant had gone 70 Join tne other while loud stonIs
tendance and the pobaface.
In personal appearance the brothers Aguero were
unusually propose sing. or the two the younger
lher race, and In their death manifested stolcsm
worthy Of the Indian blood which doubtless lowed
in their veins.
The fact that they were brought here 10 suffer az ig
nominious death by the garrote Instead OF being shot
has caused much speculation and no small share OF In
dignauon. Even the Spanish officers say, 1--WE all
think 1t was wrong to garrote them. The govern
ment state that was owing to their being part Oh the
nibus,ering party Of Goicourla. The truth doubtless
is that they were sent here that their deafn miehy
volunteers and to create the impression nat the in
surrection is at an end BE this as II may the In
dignation among foreigners and neutrais mere Is be-
yond description, and curses loud and deep are
uttered by many who nave been wont to hope for an
early friunnn OF the SnnniSn cause