The Van Buren press., 1873-12-16
Can't. Fry's Last Letter TO his Wife.
From the New Orleans Times.l


The following is the letter written by
Capt. Fry of the Virginius to his wife !
few hours before he was shot The allu
sion. to family affairs are, of course, moi
reproduced:
ON BOARD THE SPANISH MAN OF WAR
la TORNADO, ST JAGo DE CUBA,
November 9th, 1913.
DEAR, DEAR DIrA: When | left you !
had no idea that we should never meet
again in this world. bu. it seems strange
to me that | should to night, and on An
nies birthday, he calmly seated, on a
beautiful moonlight night, in a most
beautiful bay in Cuba, ts take my last
leave of YOU, my own dear, sweet wife,
and with the thought Of your bitter an.
guish my only regret at leaving.
have been tried to-day, and the Pres
ident Of the court martial asked the favor
of embracing me at parting, and clasped
me to his heart have shaken hands
with each Of my Judges, and the secreta.
ry of the court and interpreter have
llOUiNtu lllO aS JNNltAi ihNCA W hAtNHN
my execution, which will, | am told, be
in u very few hours after my sentence is
pronounced. | am told my death will be
painless, in short, | have had very
cheerful and pleasant chat about my
funeral, to which | shall 90 in few
hours from now. How soon | cannot
yet say. 1t is curious TO chow | make
friends. Poor Bambetta pronounced me
gentleman, and he was the brightest
and bravest creature | ever saw.
The priest who gave me communion
on board this morning puta double soap
ular about my neck and medal which
hc intends to wear himself. A young
spanish officer brought me bright new
silk badge with the Blessed Virgin
stamped upon it to wear 10 my execution
for him, and handsome cross in some
fair ladys handiwork These are to be
kept as relics of me. He embraced me
atlectoaaloly in my room with tears in
his eyes
Dear sweetheart, you will be able to
bear it for my sake, for | will be with
you if God permits it. Although know
my hours are short and few, | am not
sad | feel | shall always be with you
right soon, dear Dita, and you will not
BE- afraid Of me- Pray for mo and | will
pray with YOU
There is to be fearful sacrifice Of life
from the Virginius, aud, AS think, q
needless one, rs the poor people are un-
conscious or crime, and even Of their fate
up to now. hope God will forgive #
Am to blame for it.
Ifyou write to President Grant ho will
probably order my pay due when re-
/ signed paid to you after my death. heo.
/ pie viii be kinder to you now, dear Dita
at least hope so. Do not dread death
when it comes to you; it will be as God
angel of rest Remember this
hope my children will forget THEN
| fathers harshness and remember his love
and anxiety for them May they prac.
tice regularly their :eiigion, and pray fol
him always. Tell - that tho last act
Of MY lite will be a pu6lis profession o.
my faith and hope in Him Of whom W.
need not be ashamed, and it is not homes
to withhold that public acknowledgment
from any false modcsty or timidty May
God bless and save us all.
Sweet, dear, dear Dita, we will sool
meet again Till then, adieu, for the las
/ time.
Your devoted husband,
JosEpH Fry.
/ 1t may be well to state that the lctto
necessarily omits all reflections on tn,
Spanish Government, but before hi,
death Fry gave utterance very forcibly