Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-01-23
A WHITE BEAN OR DEATH.
The Story of the Meir Massacre in
the Texan Struggle for Kndepen-

Gence.
Houston (Tex.) Telegram.
Inc events recorded below took place
at oalado, Mexico, March %, 1913, when
seventeen Texans of the Meir expe-
dltlon were shot by order of the Mexi-
can authorities. The story is told bv
a correspondent who signs himself r.
L. H.. OF Blanco, Tex, a brother of
one who drew white bean:
One hundred and ffty-nine white
beans 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 to
execute Capt. Cameron, and perhaps
the balance of the officers, that first
Cameron and afterwards the other
officers were made to draw bean each
from the mug in this condition.
Cameron, IN the act Of drawing first,
said with his usual GOODNESS, dwell.
boys, we have to draw; let's be at it,
SO saying, he thrust his hand into the
mug and drew out a white bean. Next
came Col. William T. Wilson, who was
chained to him; then Capt, William
Ryan, and then Judge F. M. Gibson,
all Of whom drew white beans. Next
came Capt. Eastland, who drew a black
one, and then came the balance of the
men. They all drew their beans with
that manly dignity and frmness which
showed them superior to their con-
dltlon. Some of lighter temper TESTED
over the bloody tragedy. One said,
Boys, this beats rafting all to pieces"
The knocking 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 I'll take your place." The
brother said, "NO, l am stronger and
better able to die than YOU" Several
Of the Mexican officers who officiated
in this cruel violation of their country's
faith expressed great dissatisfaction
thereat, and some wept bitterly. Soon
after the fated were placed in separate
| courtyard, when about dark they were
executed. Several of our men were
permitted to visit the unfortunate pre-
viously to the execution, to receive their
dying requests. Poor Mai. Cooke said,
Boys told you | never failed to draw
a prlze;' and then he said to Judge
Gibson, Say to my friends that [ died
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 a
sensible and dignified letter to Gen.
Waddy Thomson, the United States
Minister to Mexico, and knowing that
his remains would be robbed Of his
clothes after his death, drew off his
pants and handed them to his surviving
comrades, and died in his underclothes.
Poor Henry Whaling. one Of Cameron's
best fighters, said, "Well, they don't
make much off me anyhow, for [ know
| have killed twenty-five of the yellow
bellies" Then, demanding his dinner
in firm tone, saying that ''They shall
not cheat me out Of it." ate heartily,
smoked cigar, and in twenty minutes
was launched into eternity.
Our interpreter, who was permitted to
remain with them to the last, says that
" fifteen times they wounded that iron
nerved soul, Henry Whaling, and it
would seem that Providence had
special care in prolonging his existence,
that he might demonstrate to his enc
mics the national character thew had to
contend with; for he gritted his teeth at
and defied them in terms of whitening
reproach, until they placed a gun to his
head and blew his brains against the
wall Such was the effect of this hor-
rlbie massacre upon their own soldiers,
who were standing as a guard upon
the wall above, that one of them tainted
and came near falling over, but was
caught bV his comrades.
/ Poor Terry, quite a youth, but in
spirit a giant, said that g he was per-
fectly willing to meet his fate; that for
his country he had fought and for her
glory he was willing to die" and turn
ing to the officers said: ''After the
battle of San Jacinto my family took
one Of your prisoner youths, raised and
educated him, and this is our requital"
Edward Este spoke Of his fate with
GOODNESS. Cash said: "Well, they
murdered my brother with Col. Fannin.
and they are about to murder me-"
&" Tell the officers to look upon men
who are not afraid to die for their
country" Capt. Eastland behaved |
with the most patriotic zeal. He de-
desired that his country should never
lay down her arms until the most ample |
PREPARATION and her freedom was OBJ
tanned. Maj. Robert Durham said he
"was prepared to die, and would to
God that he had 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 Mexicans with
them" James Ogden with his usual
equanimity of stemper smiled at his
fate, and said: Il am prepared"
Young Robert w. Harris behaved in
the most unflinching manner and called
upon his companions to avenge the
murder, while their flowing tears and
bursting hearts, invoking heaven for
their witness, responded to the call.
[ have the utmost confidence that this
pledge 50 solemnly plighted, will be re-
deemed. They one and allmoved their
country to do both them and herself
justice.
Just previous to the firing they were
bound together with cords. and their |