The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-29
TIE MASSACRE OF The PRIESTS In LA
R0QUETTE PRISON.

The following extract Is from private letter. and
the particulars 1t contains are based upon informa
ton supplied by Pere Bazin and the Abbe Petit, who
who were prisoners in Mazas and La Roquette:-
The Commune, fearing that the regulars would
rescue hostages transferred them to La Roquete
situated IN Beleville the wickedest part OF PARIS
where they expected to mold out the longest. Tue
prisoners crowded in carts to make this change
Able Petit heard his name pronounced In low,
KIND voice by another prisoner he did recognize.
1t was the Archbishop. much changed by sickness,
Rotary General AT La Roquette all the prisoners
were put together into o common hall, and the
ISOLATION. All went to confession and received
Holy Communion; Tor, thanks to Pere Ma
tgnon ana p!ous lady, the blessed Sacra-
Jug with false bottom. Each father had his re-
serve OF consecrated hosts In a linen Bag worn
round his neck, and, at this meeting some vino had
been hitherto deprived OF this supreme consolation,
had the happiness OF sharing II. Monseieneur SuraJ
was one OF these. In his humility he had not dared
to accept the proposals made TO HIM on the subject
by the nuns OF the sacred Heart tearing an eXcep-
ton. He said Oh II i mad known, what strength
Ishould have ounc.o The Archbishop was humble,
cordial, ike simple priest. All made generously
the sacrifice Of their lives. Pere ohvalnt and the
other Jesuits raised their sentiments 10 pitch OF
herosm. MonseiEneur Surat Is spoken or the
apostle OF the Divine VIII fne next day they again
Aionscigneur surat, whether purposely or nor,
seem TO have been the worst treated, ana
were exhausted by want Of food. AbDe Petit got
courageous messenger TO bring a good dinner FOR
them, winch tney divided with the rest. On the
2ith they all prayed TO the Blessed Virgin, rs people
pray at the hour OF death, remembering IL was on
mat day she heard Plus V. Tnat evening the sound
as Of horrible outbreak round the prison thrilled
them with horror. Soon a name was called. 1t was
that or the first victim. p. Bazin does not know
the name lie passed out. Then the next 1t was
was for Citizen Darboy tthc Archbishop The Arch
bishop gave his blessing and went out, too with a
peace anu dignity which could only come from God
The Able Duguerry waited, holding hts last conse.
consumed the host and ended his thapksgiytng in
heaven. President Beaajn was one OF Those exc.
cuted that evening. He was an energetic Christian;
had been prejudced against the JesIlts because he
did not know them until he saw them In prison.
Then he regretted that he knew them so late me
day. Thursday, the surviving prisoners passed
the afternoon together as usual. Pere Oh.
vant was as cheerful as ever, keeping up
the courage Of the others especially trying TO com
fort MOnselgEedr Surat, VINO was terribly shocked
and greved at the death OF his nth Archbishop, and
suffering from heart disease, 50 shat his color and
fathers for their kind words with his usual gentle.
ness and gratitude. That day passed. On the Goth
tfISiay they agreed should any can be made In any
corridor, white paper was TO be shown at the
window. The prison gard being round they could
all see the opposite windows. In the afternoon
white paper was seen In q window. forget whose,
but think It was the AbDe Petirs He made signs
that sixteen priests names were called for eXecu.
ton. Perc Olivant, DE Bengy and Caubert were OF
the number. The Able Petit waited with sacred
host IN his hand, put, not hearing his name called,
put the host back 10 his little bag to be his com.
panion TO the end. Those taken were walked about
the streets TO the sound OF Internal music, and
then taken to an OLD cemetery, turned into
an lHldWous gdtueu, WHeIe tnclF pure DiOOu was
to wash out some OF the inquites ofthe place. The
Jesuits died Offering their lives for the salvation of
souls. The D0mlnicans were exhorted by their Su-
perior to suffer for the love OF God On the cOnciu-
sion OF tue execu.ionwhich included forty fifty
gcndarmes. who mad all confessed TO the fathers
the wretches who had murdered them resumed their
music and danced like tends round them. Many
women and children had run TO see the sight Can
we wonder that Paris Is punished with such wicked
ness ia itY me next day teve OF Pentecosu
the TAILOR told the priests who remained
that all the thieves were to be let out by order OF the
Commune and that II they wished to run the fear.
saw Monseigncur Surat cross the court. He was
dressed In his soutane and buckled shoes. The
fathers called TO him, and represented either by
words or signs the lmprudence OF the costume. But
ne disappeared and they never saw him again. He
let the prison alter changing MS s0uianc-wnch ne
carried ike bundle under his arm-with
another vicar general and the AbDe Petit. The
SKATE OF the streets was fearful The Ahbe PGut