The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-12-26
A WHITE BEAN OR DEATH.
Story of tho Texan Struggle for lnde'
pendence-Shot by the Mexican Authorl-
ties-Drnwing tho Lot for Life or Death

A Story of tho Texan Struggle for Inde-
| pendence-Shot by the Mexican Authorl-
ties-DrnwinE the Lot for Life or Death
The events recorded below took place
at Salado, Mexico, March %, l843,
when seventeen Texans Of the Mier ex-
peditien were shot by order of the Mexi-
can authorities. The story is told by q
correspondent who signs himself X. +.
H., of Blanco, Texas, a brother OF one
who drew q white bean:
| One hundred and fifty-nine white
b.,.ns were placed in the bottom OF the
mug and seventeen black ones placed
upon the top of them. The beans were
not stirred. Such was their anxiety 70
exc execute Captain ths 3smedfi Officers, W that frst
/ Cameron and afterward the other off,
GERS were made to draw a bean each
from the mug in this condition. Gam
eron, in the act of drawing first, said
with his usual GOODNESS "Well, boys,
We have to draw, let's be at it." So say
ing he thrust his hand into the mug
and drew out white bean. Next came
Colonel William F. Wilson, who was
chained to him then Captain William
Ryan and then Judge F. 81. Gibson, all
Of whom drew white beans. Next came
Captain Eastland, who drew black one,
and then came the balance of the men.
They all drew their beans with that
manly dignity and frmness which
showed superior to their condition.
Some of lighter temper jested over the
bloody tragedy. One said, "boys, this
beats rafting all to pieces" Tho knock.
ing off the irons from the unfortunate
told who they were. Poor Robert
Beard, who lay upon the ground sick,
said "Brother, if you draw black
bean III take your place." The brother
said "No, I am stronger and better
able to die than you" Several of the
Mexican officers who oficiated in the
cruel violation of their country's faith
expressed great dissatisfaction thereat,
and some wept bitterly. Soon after the
fated were placed in separate court
yard, when about dark they were exc
cuted. Several of our men were per-
mitted to visit the unfortunate previous
ly to the execution, to receive their dy-
ing requests. Poor Major Cooke said
Boys, told you I never failed to
draw prize ~ and then he said to
Judge Gibson 'Say to my friends that
lived in grace" Judge Gibson was so
much affected at this last parting that
he showed it from his tears. The major
said: "They only rob me of forty
years." and then sat down and wrote
sensible and dignified letter to General
Waddy Thompson, the United States
minister to Mexico, and knowing that
his remains would be robbed of his
clothes after death, drew off his pants
and handed them to his surviving COM
rades and died in mis- underclothes.
Poor Henry Whaling, one of Cameron's
best fighters, said: "Well, they didn't
make much off me, anyhow, for know
have killed twenty-five of the yellow
dogs" Then demanding his dinner in
a firm tone, saying that "they could
not cheat me out of it," ate heartily.
smoked a cigar, and in twenty-five
minutes was launched into eternity.
Our interpreter, who was permitted to
remain with them to the last, says that
Fifteen times they wounded the iron
nerved soul, Henry Whaling, and it
would seem that Providence had special
care in prolonging his existence that he
might demonstrate to his enemies the
national character they had to contend
with, for he gritted his teeth at and de-
fed them in terms Of withering repreach,
until they placed a gun to his head and
blew his brains against the wall" Such
was the effect of this horrible massacre
upon their own soldiers, who were
standing as guards upon the wall above,
that one or them tainted and came
near falling over, but was caught by his
comrades.
Poor Terry, quite youth, but in spirit
giant, said that "he was perfectly
willing to meet his fate that for his
country he had fought and for her glory
he was willing to die" and turning to the
officers, said: "After the battle of San
Jacinto my family took oneofyour youths
prisoner, raised and educated him, and
this is your requital." Edward Este
spoke of his fate with coolness. Cash
said: "Well, they murdered my
brother with Colonel Fannin, and they
are about to murder me. Tell the officer
to look upon men who are not afraid to
die for their country" Captain Eastland
behaved with the most patriotic zeal.
| He desired that his country should
never lay down her arms until the most
ample reparation and her freedom was
obtained. Major Robert Dunham said
be "was prepared to die, and would to
God that he had a chance to do the same
thing over again that he gloried in the
demonstration they had made, which
showed Texans without arms to be more
than equal to Me1icans with arms.
James Ogden, with his usual equanimity
of temper, smiled at his fate, and said
"I am prepared to die." Young Robert
W. Harris behaved in the most unainch-
ing manner, and called upon his com
paniens to avenge the murder, while their
lowing tears and bursting hearts, in
voking heaven for their witness, re-
sponded to the call. have the utmost
confidence that this pledge, so solemnly
plighted, will be redeemed. They one
and all invoked their country to do both
them and herself justice.
Uu5t JICtlOuo w U4O eoSJ "SIS
bound together with cords, and their
eyes being bandaged, they were set upon
a log near the wall, with their backs to
their executioners. They all begged the
officers to shoot them in front and at
short distance, as "they we're not afraid
to look death in the face" This they
refused to do, fired at several PAGES, and
continued the firing from ten to twelve
minutes, mangling these heroes in
manner too horrible for description.
The names of the murdered men were
L. L. Cash, J. D. Cooke, Robert Dun
ham, Captain W. NJ. Eastland, Edward
Este, Robert Harris, Thomas L. Jones,
Patrick Manan, James Ogden, Charles
Roberts, William Rowan L. Shepherd,
J. NJ. Thompson, James Terrey, james
Turnbull, Henry Whaling, NJ. G. Wing.
Houston (Teras) Telegram.
Ingenious PickpocKets.
Lucy h. Hooper says that the Partisan
pickpocket has invented special mode
of theft The thief enters the omnibus,