Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1873-11-20
,: ?: " w. FISK: FISK FISK Bros, Publishers
TELEGRAMS.
Interesting Particulars Of the Capture
and Murder Of the Cuban Patriots
Indignation Meetings, Etc.


Indignation Meetings, Etc.
HAVANA, November 12.-On the 7th inst
the Captain and thirty-six of the crew Of the
steamer Virginius were executed at Santiago
de Cuba, and on the next day, the 8th, twelve
more of the Cuban volunteers on the vessel
were shot. Among the latter was Franch
Alfaro
1t is said that Alfaro offered the Spanish
authorities $1,000,O00 if they would spare
his life. The Spanish say that Alfaro came
to assume the Presidency of the so-called
Cuban republic.
The Voce de Cuba to-day says editorially
that it is as humane as anybody, and more
SO than many who make ostentatious protes-
taons of philanthrophy, but it cannot do
less than approve of the energy displayed
whom the tilibustering steamer Virginius
brought to make more bloody the war in
Cuba
The court martial for the trial of those
captured on the Nirginius is still in session,
working with all possible dispatch. Amongst
the crew, disguised as fremen, were Ignacio
Alfaro, Rosa Arce, Varona Castillanos, Pin
edo Molla, and other persons of Importance.
Capt. Fry was manifestly aware of the OBJ
ject of the expedition and the nature of the
cargo, which he was tempted to take charge
of by large sum of money offered him,
and thinking that there were 80 chances in
100 of bis landing in safety. 1t is thought
this will be the final effort of the insurrec-
tionists. The captain and crew were shot by
squad Of marines in the public square. and
twelve of the insurgents were shot in front
of the slaughter house wall yesterday morn
ing.
NEW ORLEANS, November 12.-The news
of the massacre of the captain and crew of
the Virginius creates great excitement. Capt.
Joseph Fry, commander of the Virginius,
was native of Florida, aged 46. He en-
tered the naval academy In 1914, and re-
mained in the navy until 1861, when he re-
signed and entered the Confederate service.
He leaves here wife and four children, the
youngest four years old.
New YORK, November ia letter from
Havana gives an account of the steamer
Nirginius from which it appears that on Octo-
Der Both the Spanish Consul at Kingston
advised the Governor at Santiago de Cuba
that the Virginius was in the vicinity of
Morranta Bay The Spanish war steamer
Tornado had that morning arrived at Santiago
de Cuba, and four hours after the Governor
received information of the Virginfds, went
in search of her. The following day the |
Tornado, under full sail and but little steam, |
as some slight repairs were being made to |
the machinery, came in sight of the Virgi-
MUS, which probably supposed the Tornado
to be sailing vessel, as her course was not |
changed On the Tornado every effort was
made to hasten the repairs they were engaged
in, and at two o'clock the chief engineer
possible was Immediately got up and the
vessel headed for the Virginius, soon reaching /
aspeed of fourteen knots, and hourly gain
Ing upon her. The Virginius had, ia the
meantime, kept on her course, but divining
the hostile intentions of the Tornado changed
it towards Jamaica, and. being out OF coal,
commenced to burn petroleum, grease, tat,
and other combustibles from the provisions
on board, such AS hams, etc. Night closed
In and the vessels were in the same relative
positions, the Tornado, however, gaining.
AS seon as they got within gunshot, the Tor
nado fired gun, followed by three other
shots and she'll This brought the Virginius :
10, and two armed boats from the Tornado
came along side, took possession OF the yes
sci and made prisoners all on board. At the
time of the capture the Virginius was flying
,he American flag, but this was pulled down
by the Spanish officer and the Spanish ensign
nolsted in its place, although the papers OF
,he vessel, duly dispatched for Colon, were
handed to him. After the capture, the next
.wo hours were employed in transferring
some of the prisoners to the Tornado and
putting prize crew on the Virginius.,,. AT
midnight the two vessels started for Santiago
ae Cuba and arrived the following day at tve
SSclock Sk; p. M, having been Joined ny tne
spanish steamer Cantabro. Their arriYal
created al immense excitement and rejoicing
among the Spaniards. The Governor gave
tttceptlon t which lasted all night Next gay,
MY Me "a, court martial was held on 0oard tne
tornado, which commenced ct nine o'clock
aaa terminated at four All were tired as
pirates pirates, and the findings of the court and the
sentences were sent to the Captain Genera
"aa Admiral in sealed packets. After the
:. .ourt had concluded its task all the prisoners
gSnh th" ny"ertion of Bembetta. Jesus del