The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-13

Brave Boy-What Grave
digger Had to Say.
PARIS, June l3, 1871
Paris is fast resuming Its normal condition
Strangers are iOcking IN rapidly to see the ruins
and the traces OF the conflict that are visible in
every street and square OF the city, The boulevards
are crowded in the evening with promenaders, and
the brilliantly lighted cafes are once more alive
with gay and merry tnrOng OF peasure-seekers,
who holding high revel IN tile places where but
afew days ago
WARS STERN RULE
held undivided sway. They may be seen every
where in the ruined and desoate suburbs curIously
inspecting the wrecks OF what were once pretty
little cottages picking up bits Of shell and chas-
sepot balls as mement0s OF the conflict.
FACTS COMING TO LIGHT.
Every day more cases coming to light OF the
murder OF innocent people, not only by the tnfuri-
ated mob and exasperated soldiers but by the drum
mead court martlas that for the first few days were
established all over the city 1t will be remembered
that Bilhorays execution was announced In all the
papers, with the circumstances attending his cap
ture; how he had been recognized ana denounced
on the boulevard by the mob; how, when taken and
searched, 1900 francs were found In his pockets,
which sum he had, of course stolen while in power;
how he begged for life, like the coward he was,
and how he was led out and shot on his
knees. The papers extremely jubilant over the
matter. and were exceedingly rejoiced that he
showed himself in his true cOlors, 1t never occurring
to them that when people are shot without trial
friends as we'll as enemies may be the victims II
now appears that Bnlioray Is safe and well, pri.
soner at ,atory, and that the man who was
SHOT IN HIS PLACE
was quiet ino1ensive old BOURGEOIS, who had not
was followed the place of sitting OF the
tial by band of bowling idiots, who had never seen
him or Biioray In their lives, all yelling, "C'est
Bilioray!1 mort nlOrt!' and it is the leading
principle of French justice and French logic 10
slider all accused men guilty and treat them such,
the poor old was backed up to the first wall and
shot, protesting his innocence all the wnlle.
so MANY CASES
of this kind have come within my own observa-
ton: 80 many people have been shot for throwing
petroleum down cellars, upon the SIMPLE accusa-
ton OF anybody OF nobody knows whO without
the least effort being made to see If the charge
was well founded, that have grown incredulous
about these petroleum stories and do not believe
that single case Of petroleum throwing after the
passage OF the Versailles can be established upon
evidence that would hang dOg.
THE RUSSIAN COUNT.
met Yesterday the Count d., Russian who
was arrested and taken 10 Sat0ry for SHOT which
they SAID was fired upon an officer from the house
IN which he lived, IL his absence. Upon returning
to the house he found 1t surrounded by soldiers and
nearly everybody who lived In the square ar
by an oiIicer who asked him If he lived in that
house, and upon receiving an affirmative reply put
a pistol to his head and said, Then am going TO
BLOW OUT YOUR BRAINS"
Count d. told him that If he Intended to blow out
his brains there was Of course no way OF preventing
enough OF Frenchmen toknOw that they fought better
with unarned men than with those who were IN
condition to defend themselves, but that he would
ike to know in any case why ne was to be shot.
"a shot was fired upon body OF troops from this
house. replied the officer, somewhat cooled down
by the bold front shown By. the Count.
.sYou see yourself thar have only Just arrived"
said the Count, and that 1t could not have been fired
1t may be as well TO remark right here that as 1t
afterwards appeared no shot had been fired al ALL
'''' OFFICER's OWN REVOLVER
accldently discharged n his pocket, which had
gwen rise TO the difficulty, causing the arrest or at
"No matter said the officer ''be thankful for
your life anu come with me 10 the Prefecture de
Arrived at the ONCE OF the Chief of Police he
showed his papers proving tnat he had been col
onel IN the Russian army, that he had received per-
mission from the Car 20 come after the declaration
OF war 10 offer his services to France that he had
served with distinction throughout the war and mad
been promoted to the rank OF MAJOR for his bravery
on tue field OF battle, and that he was at that
government for services rendered. Nothing would
do, however, he was foreigner and must GO TO
the shadow OF a compDaint against him. While wait
ing here frend whom he recognized was brought
in. and they had few minutes conversation before
being separated.
WHAT ABSURD CHARGE
have they against You !" asked Count d.
..Oh, some woman that never saw before in my
le told stupid National Guard that had been
throwing petroleum, ana he brought me here.
viii ne liberated. OF course az | can estab-
sh my identity. as they cannot shoot man upon
such evidence as that"
"Would you believe tP' said the Count to me-
will "a tran ~
released. and found that he had been shot just
an hour after we separated"
the night" continued the Count. land that should
not be marched to Versailles between a file OF SOL
diers. 1t was now dark, and was taken and put
into little room, about ten Ieet square, where there
were already twenty.fv or thirty persons and they
s Mxre possbIlity OF wing down Here was
Obliged to remain all night almost sniocated by the
hot, stnng alr, weak aud fainting with hunger and
fatigue and thinking continually OF q horrible
story once read about the
BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA.
There were three four women among us, who
tainted away and were supported on the arms OF
the men, as 1t would have been certain death
10 let them lie down In that horrible vtiated air.
About four O'Clock III tue morning we were all
called out and arranged In marching order between
two nles OF soldiers: NY companion happened , 10
overhearlng remark OF the soldier next 10 her, she
commenced soDbing and wringing her hands wildly.
Mon dieU, Monsieur cried she TO me, they are
TO THE LUXEMBOURG TO BE SHOT,
IT, was only too true. I had fallen into company
OF prisoners that had been sentenced to DEATH and
we were our way to execution. spoke 10 the
ollicer In command, telling him II was mistake,
that should be sent to Versailles and not TO the
Luxembourg. No matter where you co. was the
reply You will be shot ANYHOW, and the sooner the
better. II hear any more OF your impudence will
give you taste of the fiat OF my sword AS twas
. matter Of life ana death to me- however, con-
tnued the Count, finally induced him to look over
his list, and he found. sure enough, that my name
was not there. / was Immediately hustled out OF
this gang ana put into another one OF about i've
hundred that were the way TO versailles.
There was a line OF cavalry each side OF ms, and
every man held revolver in his hand. Arriving nj
the Porte Mul0t we were told mat II any one or us
attempted to escape he would not only
BE SHOT DOWN,
but ten others also as hostages.