Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-06-23

member OF the Commune, and who had
served a six years term as a convict, en-
tered the prison at the head of fifty teder-
ais and occupied the gallery in which were
shut up the principal prisoners. Iney
formed 10 the gallery leading to the lnte-
rIor circular road of the prison, and a few
moments after, a corporal opened the
Archbishop's cell and called him in a low
tone. The prelate answered Present"
Then he passed on to the cell of Pre- ST
dent (Judge) Bopjean then to that ct
Able Allard, a member of the " Interna-
tional Ambulance Society" He then call
ed Fathers DoCondray and LeClere the
last call was for Rev. Able Deguerry. Ca
rate of the Madeleine. AS soon as his name
was called, each of the prisoners was
brought out into the gallery and descended
the staircase leading to the circular rosd !;
on both sides, SO far as [ could Judge,
were the federal guards, insulting the
prisoners in terms unfit 10 be repeated.
Ny unfortunate companions were thus
accompanied by the bowls OF these
wretches as far as the yard this side of the
infrmary. There stood the detail for
execution. Mgr. Darboy advanced and
addressed to them some words of christian
| forgiveness; two of these men approached
the prelatc, and before their comrades
knelt down and implored his pardon.
The other federals rushed upon them and
drove them off, then turning towaids the
prisoners. heaped upon them new insults,
which must have been outrageous, since
the chief of the detail was shocked at
them. He silenced his men with q fright
ful oath, and said: "You are here to shoot
these mon, not to insult them" They
hushed and loaded their arms.
The Rev. Father Allard was placed
against the wall and shot first !; then Mgr.
Darboy. The six prisoners showed the
greatest courage. Rev. Duguerry alone
showed momentary tremor, due no doubt
to his feeble health.
After this tragic execution, without any
warrant or legal fern. in presence of only
a few brigauds, the bodies were taken in
their clothes and carried to the Pere La
trench of the common grave, without be-
ing even covered with earth.
Sixteen other priests were shot the next
night.
| The Patrie thus relates the final rescue
of seventy Of the hostages of the Com
mune, who improvised barricade in the
same prison, aad determined to resist to
! the last
! An ego witness tells US that in this
supreme hour a touching and dramatic
scene took place among those prisoners
who saw a certain and memorable death
before them. sergeant of police ap-
preaching the priests, said to them Gen
tlemen, your profession forbids you to
fight Stand aside and let US defend you. .
''It is true, replied the Curate of Notre
Dame des Victories Wa cannot fight, but
we can bless the combatants. My friends.
you were born christians. We are going
to die and appear before God. Make the
sign of the cross and let your priests bless
you"
Instantly they all fell on their knees,
and tho ten priests pronounced the bless
ing.
Soon the satellites of the Commune re-
turned in force, and with violent threats.
But the prisoners, who had procured some
arms, held them in check. They tried in
vain to set fire to the barricade, and with
drew second time. An hour afterwards
they returned with words of peace, saying
that the prison was to be evacuated and
fred, and entreating the prisoners to fol
low them. The latter, distrustful of this
apparent generosity, demanded as guar
antee, that muskets be distributed to them
but the Communists refused. Finally, the
Versailles troops captured the prison and
rescued the party.
The Steele relates as follows, the murder
of its editor, Gustave Chaudey, a man uni
versally beloved and respected for his vir-
tues, and whose fearless course had won
him the implacable hatred of all the sconn-
drels Of the Commune.
On the 23l of May the Attorney
General of the Commune presented him
self at eleven o'clock at night at the prison
of st. Pelsgie and sent for Chaadey.-
Without any preparation, he said to him
'This is your last hour"
"Ihen," said Chaudey, "you are going to
| assassinate me-"
But the National Guards of the post re-
fused to do the odious work, and the Attor-
ney went in person out of the prison to
find others more obedient. The prisoner
was brought out to them in the yard.
Raoul Riglult drew his sword 70 give
the signal but these men also having re-
fused to obey he drew revolver from his
pocket, and declared that he would blow
ont the brains of the first man who dis
obeyed. He again commanded fire, and
Chaudey fell wounded. A sergeant dis
dispatched him by firing two pistol shots
in his ear.
| After these narratives one cannot help
| feeling a species of satisfaction in reading
the fate of Delescluze, the Oldest and pro-
! badly the wo1st of the leaders Of the Com
mune.
From the Soir.