Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-11-14
TRAGEDY IN CUBA.

CUBAN GENERAL AND BROTHER OF THE
AMONG THE VICTIMS
"A MILLION OFFERED FOR A LIFE
The UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ABOUT
TO TAKE STEPS TO OBTAIN PREPARATION.
&C., &C., &c.
The steamer Virginius sailing under the
American flag, sailed from Jamaica on the
the Doth inst. for Cuba, having Oh board
Gen. Ryan, the American ilibusteT, Gen.
Varona of the Cuban insurgent army,
Pedro Cespedes brother of the Cuban
President, and a number of officers and
volunteers for the Cuban insurgent army.
She was captured, before landing, by
Spanishswar steamer, and all on board car
ried to Santiago de Cuba and there, as ap-
pears from the following dispatches, shot
to death as pirates. The telegram is da-
ted at New York, Nov. 18th:
A letter from Havana, dated November
9Th, gives the following account OF the exc
cution If the Virginius prisoners at San
tiago The four prisoners were shot at
the place made famous by previous execu-
tions. and in the usual manner, kneel-
ing close to the slaughter-house wall. All
marched to the spot with frmneSS. Benz
beta and Ryan showed marked courage,
although the former was slightly affected
towards the last. The two others quite
broke down before they were bandaged.-
Ryan kept up to the last never fiinched
moment, and died without fear or regret.
Bembetta and Ryan were killed at the first
discharged
On the 18th instant the captain and thir-
L x,Nff hn Off inc
were executed at Santiago de Cuba, and
on the next day 1.-THE Sth) twelve more of
the Cuban volunteers on the vessel were
shot, Among the latter was Francie AL
faro who offered the Spanish authorities ST.,
600 900 if they would spare his life. The
Spaniards say Alfaro came to Cuba to as
sumo the presidency of the so-called Cuban
Republic.
ggThe Voc De Cuba of to-day says, editor
tally, that it is as humane as anybody, more
SO than many who make oStentatiouS pro-
LESSONS of philanthrophy. but it cannot do
less than approve of the energy displayed
towards all rebels, and particularly towards
those whom the filibustering steamer Vir-
pinius brought to make more bloody war
in Cuba.
The court martial fol- the trial of those
captured on the Virginius is still in ses-
sion, working with all possible Dispatch
Amongst the crew and disguised fremen
were Ignacio Alfaro, Bosarce Varona,
Castellanos Pideda, Mola Boitel, and other
persons of Importance. Captain Joseph
Fry was manifestly aware of the object of
the expedition and the nature of the cargo
which he was tempted to take charge OF
by the large sum of money offered him !;
thinking there was ninety-nine chances in
one hundred of his landing in safety. 1t
is thought this will be the final effort of
the insurrectionists.
The captain and crew were shot by a
squad of marines in the public square
The twelve insurgents were Shot in front
of the slaughter-house wall.
THE NEWS IN NEW ORLEANS-sKETCH OF
CAPTAIN FRY.
NEW ORLEANS, November 1.-THE
news of the execution of the Vlrglnlus
prisoners creates considerable excitement
here, and is the subject of general CONVEX
sation tonight.
Captain Joseph Fry, the commander of
the Virginius, was native of Florida, and
was 46years years of age. He entered the
Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1914, and
remained in the navy till 1861, when he
resigned and entered the Confederate ser-
vice. He leaves wife and seven children
LII UIlo ClUy. 4iiO OldSDe 40 @ SAiPPAv csAAsN
The youngest only four years Of age.
THE U. s. GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE.
A Was ,ington dispatch says:
The government seems to be more earn
est than heretofore in protecting the wa
tiers between the United States and Cuba
the great highway of all nations-from
Spanish moleStation. The Madrid govern
ment being unable to enforce it's authority
in Cuba, that of the United States will be
impeIled to assert it's power in all cases
where the interests of the citizens of this
country and it's own honor require deci-
sive action. The President and all mem
bers of his Cabinet are in accord on this
subject.
The n. Y. Evening Post'' says, edi-
torially s'The feeling of our citizens was
raised to fever heat by the execution of the
four Cuban leaders. 1t will now rise to
the boiling pitch. Cuba and her friends
will hereafter need neither money nor men.
Have these butchers no fear Of the indig-
nation of the civilized world ? The report
makes the blood cold.''
U. S. NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE Mahopac
and the Manhattan, ordered to be put in
commission, and to which officers are al
ready assigned, are fourth-class screw-ves-
sells iron cladS Of five hundred and fifty
tons burden, and carrying each two guns.
These vessels will join the North Atlantic
squadron. The vessels of the navy have
been SO much reduced in number that it
has been found somewhat difficult to
promptly reinforce our squadron i'll cases
OF emergency, but in the course OF a few
days all that can be made available will be
sent to Cuban waters in accordance with
the determination of the Cabinet meeting
yesterday.
The Secretary Of the Navy was to-day in
consultation with different bureau officers
on the subject of preparing the vessels for
sea.
The iron-clad Mahopac, at Norfolk, has
been ordered to prepare for sea, and officers
have been assigned her.
NEW YORK, Nov. 12.-Orders have
been received at the Brooklyn navy-yard
to prepare the sloops Of war Kearsage and
Juanita for sea Immediately. At noon to-
day, under equally pressing orders, the
torpedo-boat, Admiral Porter, was launch
ed and will be made ready for active ser
vice in few days.
The bloody affair has created great ex-
citement at the North, where most of the
men shot resided. Gen. Ryan was well
known in Washington City, where he
lived. Further particulars will be found
in the VINDICAToR kilograms.
Mrs. Lucy Stanton, the mother of the
late Secretary Stanton. died On the 9th of
November, at the residence Of her only
surviving child, Mrs. Pamphiia Wolcott, in
New Brighton, Pennsylvania; She was of
a good old age more than eighty years.
She was a native of Virginia, born near
Elederic Sh11rdr Her naaidan nanaa 1.ras