Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-12-13
THE NIGHT BEFORE DEATH.
The Letter OF Captain Fry 70 his Wife
The Last Words Of the Hero
Martyr TO Liberty.

The New Orleans Times publishes the follow
ing extracts from the gallant Fry,s last letter
10 his wife. II breathes a tenderness and
purity in keeping with such soul. The
writer who made the transcript says the pages
slf the original bore the impress Of tears. His
rel sctions upon :he Spanish government, TO
which he gave utterance very fOrcib bly,, and
his aliusions 10 family matters, are omitted:
On BOARD THE SPANISH MAS-oF-wAR0
La TORNADO, ST. JAGo M CUBAl T
November 6, 1873.
DEAR, DEAR DITA-When left you I had
no idea that We should never meet again in
this world. but il seems strange TO me that
should tonight, and on Annie,s birthday, be
calmly seated, on a beautiful moonlight
night. in a most beautiful bay in Cuba, TO
take my last leave Of you, my own dear, sweet
wife, aud with the thought OF your bitter
anguish my only regret at leaving. have
sseen tried to-day, and the president OF the
OCIt-martlal asked the favor OF embracing
ane AT parting, and clasped me to his heart.
have shaken hands with my judges; and the
secretary Of the cOurtand the interpreter have
promised me as a special favor 10 attend my
execution. which VIII, I am told, be IN very
few hours after my sentence is pronounced.
/ have had a very cheerful and pleasant cnat
about my funeral, TO which l shall go IN
a few hours from now. How soon, cannot
vet say. IL is curious 10 see how make
friends. Poor Bambetta pronounced me a
gentleman, and he was the highest and
brayest creature l ever saw. The priest who
gave me communion on board this morning
put double sc&pular aoOut my neck aud a
medal which he intends 10 wear himself 4
yOung Spanish officer brought me bright,
new SILK badge, with the Blessed Virgin
stamped upon II, 10 wear TO my execution, for
him. and a handsome cross in some fair
lady's handiwork. These are 20 be kept as
relics Of me. de embraced me RffectiOnately |
1 q my room, with tears in his eyes.
Dear sweetheart, you VIII be able TO bear II
for my sake, for will be with You II |
God permits 1t. Although 1 know my
hours are short and few, ! am not sad. |
L feel ! shall always be with you right |
soon, dear Dits, and you VIII not be afraid OF
me
PRAY for me, and will pray with you. q
There is to BE- a fearful sacrifice Of life from |
the Nirginins, and, as think, needless one, i
as the poor people are unconscious OF crime, i
and even o. their fate M 10 now. 1 hope /
q III viii forgive n am 20 blame for II. II
you write 20 President Grant he Will pro0a- /
bly, order my pay due when resigned, paid to /
you after nv death. i
People will be kind to you now, dear Dita; at /
least bope 80. Do not dread death when it |
comes to you; Il viii be as Gods angel OF
hone my children will forget their |
fathers harshneSs and remember his |
love aud anxiety for them. May they |
practice regularly their religion, and pray |
IN at the last act OF nv life will be a public !
profession of my faith and hope in him OF
whom we need not be ashamed, and II is not |
honest 10 withhold that public acknowledg- |
ment from any false mOdesty or umidity. |
May God bless and save US all.
sweet dear. dess Dita, we will soon meet
again. Till then, adieu for the last time: Your
devoted husband, JOSEPH FRY.
An eyewitness 70 the butchery OF the
Ihirty-ssven states that Captain Fry was the
only one killed at the first vOlley, and that the
sthers were dispatched, after being wounded,
by the marines placing the mnzzles Of Their
muskets in their eyes, mouths, and ears, and
literally blowing their heads or