The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-03-21
THE BLOODY BORDER.
The story OF The MIer Massacre. by One
who Drew a white Bean.

correspondent who signs himself II. p
H., of Blanco, Texas, brother of on,
who drew white bean:
One hundred and ffty.nine whit,
beans were placed in the bottom Of the
mug, and seventeen black ones placed
on top of them. The beans were moi
stirred. Such was their anxiety TO ex.
ecute Capt. Cameron and perhaps the
other officers, that first Cameron and
afterward tho other officers were made
to draw a bean each from tho mug in
this condition. Cameron, in the act OF
drawing first, said with his usual COO.
moss, "Well, boys, we have to draw,
let's be at it" So saying, he thrust his
hand into the mug and drew ont a
white bean. Next came Col. VIM. +.
Wilson, who was chained to him; then
Capt. Wm. Ryan, and then Judge +.
NJ. Gibson, all Of whom drew white
beans. Next came Capt. Eastland,
who drew black one, and then came
the balance of the men They all drew
their beans with that manly dignity
and iirmness which showed them supc.
rior to their condition. Some of lighter
temper jested over the bloody tragedy.
One said, Boys, this beats raffIing all
to pieces" The knocking off the irons
of the uufoItunates told who they werc.
Poor Robert Beard, who lay upon the
ground sick, said, Brother, if You
draw Il black bean I'll take your place. &"
The brother said, "No, am stronger
and better able to die than You" Sew
ersll OF the Mexican who oofliciatedi in this
cruel violation of their country's faith ex
pressed great dissatisfaction thereat and
some wept bitterly. Soon afterward
the fated were placed in separate
courtyard, when about dark they were
executed. Several of our men were
permitted TO visit the unfortunates pre-.
viously to the execution, to receive
their dying requests. Poor Major
Coke said, Boys, l told you l never
fail to draw a prize" and then he
said TO Judge Gibson, Say to my
friends that 1 died in grace" Judge
Gibson was so affected by this last part
ing that he showed it from his tears.
The Major said, They only rob me Of
forty years, and then sat down and
wrote diguified and sensible letter To
Gen. Waddy Thompson, the United
States Minister in Mexico, and know
ing that his remains would be robbed
of his clothes after his death, drew of
his pants and handed them to his sur
viving comrades, and died in his under
clothes. Poor Henry Whdling, one of
Camerons best fighters, said, "Well,
the' don't make much OF me, anyhow,
for j know ! have killed twenty-five of
the yellow bellies" Then demanding
his dinner in a firm tone, saying that
they shall not cheat mo out of IT" ate
heartily, smoked a 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 thev wounded that
iron nerved soul, Henry Whaling, and
it would seem that Providence had a
special care in prolonging his existence,
that he might demonstrate to his enc
mics the national character they had to
contend with; for he gritted his teeth
and detied them in tones of withering
reproach until they placed gun at his
head and blew his brains against .ie
wall. Such was the effect of the horri-
ble 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 by his comrades.
Poor Terry, quite a youth, but in
spirit giant, said 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 turn
ing to the officers said "After the
battle of San Jacinto nay family took
one of your youths prisoner, raised and
educated him, and this is our 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-" j. L. Jones said to the interpre-
ter: "Tell the officers to look upon
men who are not afraid to die for their
country" Captain Eastman behaved
with the most patriotic zeal. He de-
sired that his country should never lay
down her arms until the most ample
reparation and freedom was obtained.
Major Rebt. Dunham said che was pre-
pared to die, and would to God that he
had chance to do the same thing over
again that he gloried in the demon
stratiSn they had made, which showed
Texans without arms to be equal to
Mexicans with uheln." James Ogden,
with his usual equanimity of temper,
smiled at his fate and said 81 am pre-
pared" Young Robert w. Harris
behaved in the most unhinehing man
ner, and called upon his brothers to
avenge the murder, while their flowing
tears and bursting hearts invoking heav-
en- for their witness, responded to the
call. I have the utmost confidence
that this pledge, so solemnly plighted,
will be redeemed. They, one and all,
invoked their country to do them and
herself justice.
Just previous to the firing they were
bound together with cords, and their
eyes being bandaged they were set up
on 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; "that they were not
afraid to look death in the face" This
they refused to do, firing at several
| PAGES and continuing the fire from ten
to twelve minutes, mangling those he
roes in manner toohorrible fordescrip-
| tion CAN orr 0overnmenE and naon1a