The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1873-12-13
THE SLAUGHTER IN CUBA.
Lives Of American Citizens Saved by
Foreigner.

cial says: The officers Of the Morning Star,
which vessel arrived at New York yesterday
morning from Santiago dc Cuba. in which
port she was lying when the Virginius was
brought in. give 4 graphic account of the
massacre of the Virginius prisoners by the
Spanish soldiers. Mr.. Cafiin. second mate
Of the Morning Star, witnessed the cxccu-
ton Of the victims. The first lot, consist
ing Of Capt. Fry and thirty-six Of his crew.
were led ont at four o'clock on Friday af-
wall. and at a sufficient distance from it to
give them room to fall forward. Captain
Fry having asked for Il glass Of water. one
was handed him by Charles Bell. steward
Of the Morning Star. Fry then walked
from the end OF the line to the centre. and
calmly awaited his fate. lie was the only
man that d"ppcd dead at the first vol
ley. notwithstanding the fact that the firing
party were hut 4 distance Of ten feet
away. Then c,,s,.cd Il horrible scene the
Spanish butchers advanced to where the
wounded men lay. writhins and moaning in
agony. and placing the ml,Zzlcs Of their
guns. in some instances. into the mouths of
their victims. pulled the triggers. SCATTERING
their heads int" fragments. Others of the
dying men Sra>ped the weapons thrust at
them with u 'lespairing clutch. and shot
after shot was poured into their bodies before
death quictcd them. All the bodies were
tumblcd int" carts and taken at once t" the
cemetery. Mr. Chaiiin says that this batch
Of victims. at least seemed " nave u" no.
ton Of the fate that awaited them. They
walked alclg quietly, merrily singing. chat
ting, laughing and smoking, as si;"na pleas
ure party. On the following morning twelve
Cubans were led to the slaughter. and SINH
lar disgusting scenes We're re-enacted. The
moment the preliminary order was given
the twelve turned their heads, as il in 0bc-
licncc to a plcconccrtcd agreement, and.
throwing. their hands aloft. shouted ''Circ
Cuba Hbrx! - This finished the executions.
That day the British, war vessel Niobc ar
rived. Her Commander, Captain Lorraine.
left Jamaica in such haste that several of
her crew. who were on shore, on leaves,
were lett behind. lie hardly stopped to
cast anchor at Santiago, before he fastened
ashore and protested against the KILN. of
any more of the Virginius crew. General
Burriel answered him sauciy, in letter.
saying that any executions that had been
ordered would be proceeded with. Com
mander Lorraine instantly returned a
reply I" the effect that in the
absence If an american man-of-war he
would protest not only in the interest Of his
own country, but those Of the United States:
and that. if Burriel harmed hair Of an
the city. 1t was generally believed at San
tiago that this action of the British COM
mantlant saved the lives Of the rest Of the
Virginius crew. Commander Lorraine af-
terwarl obtained five copies Of the process
Of the court martial condcmning them to
death. two of which he intended to transmit
to our Government and two others 10 his
own. Verano. Cespedes. DelSol and Ryan
were shot early Tuesday morning. the latter
showing extraordinary coolness and cour-
age, trndsing along gaily as il going t" his
wedding. 4 priest advanced to his side
when the place Of slaughter was reached
and offered the religious services Of his
church. but Ryan waved him off. The Off
GERS Of the Morning Star say it is not true
that the inhabitants Of Santiago were wild
with joy: that. on the contrary. they were
exceedingly silent, and made II" dem"nstra
| tions whatever.