The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-12-04
The Fate Of a French War
Correspondent.
DISOBEDIENCE AND DEATH.
How Camille Farcy Encountered the
Ill-Win OF General FOrgemOI
Rigorous Discipline.


Tonquin. One of the special CORES
pondentS attached to the expedition now
In the field was Camille Farcy, well
known as brilliant writer. He bad
long been connected with La France, one
OF the leading journals. The officer is a
martinez, and entertains the most rigid
ideas regarding discipline. Before the
expeditionary force landed he, in con
junction with General Yincondou, con-
cocted the following pledge, which all
the journalists were obliged to sign:
l. promise upon my honor
TO transmit no information whatever,
either by telegraph or by mail, or by
any other means, without first having
submitted my manuscript to the exam
nation of the officer commanding the
expedition, or to such officer or officers
as he may delegate that power to. l
further agree tha- my failure to keep
this pledge will expose me to the rigors
of martial law.
This document was signed by all the
correspondents attached to the expedi-
ton. When Farcy's turn came he took
the pen, but it was with evident reluc-
lance that he signed. When he had
done so he said to Forgemol:
General, l sign this document only
| because | am forced 10 do it; because
without doing so, could not fulfill my
duty as correspondent; because, with
out doing so, could not accompany
the expedition. But | warn you. sir,
| that I shall speak the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, touch
ing such matters as may come under
glance at the general, Camille withdrew.
The old general gnawed his grizzled
mustache to conceal his wrath. He did
what perhaps most men would have
dOne-he set spy to dog the footsteps
of Farcy.
The expedition was successful. Two
evenings after the spy detected the
journalist. under disguise, quitting the
camp. He followed and saw him deposit
u large envelope III one of the minor
! pOSt-otficeS upon the frontier. He was
at once arrested and conduc; ed to Forge
mOl's headquarters.
AHA !" said the general. "atit already
my fine fellow? Well. what have We
/ here?" and he seized and broke open the
envelope. Hum addressed to In FrdHce
! Evidently some correspondence which
/ you were sending without my EnOwl-
edge"
"Yes, general" said Farcy, calmly.
Let w. see, what is it?'' said Forge
mol. as he began To peruse the letter
General" said Farcy, coldly, per
NIT me to remind you that yOu are viO-
/ lating private correspondence"
Private correspondence? Bah - re-
torted Forgemol. Very private. in
| deed: all Paris would know it in another
/ day" and he resumed his reading.
| There were some severe structures in
! the letter upon the conduct of the cam
paign FOrgemOl's reading was inter
/ rupted by Oaths, and when he finished
he was purple with rage.
So said he grimly, You consider
! yourself competent TO Judge of the on
eratiOns of general in che field do you?
| Well, sir, you shall have taste of mar
I tial law to add 10 your knowledge Of
military affairs"
Farcy disdained to defend himself. A
court-martial was Immediately conven-
ed. Its prOcee ings were Summary-its
demned To be shot at 6 clock in the
morning"
1t was then midnight. The doomed
man was placed in charge OF lieuten-
ant and squad of soldiers. put upon q
| special, train and was borne swiftly into
/ the capital city, where the execution was
TO take place.
Al $50 o'clock the train dashed into
| the city. 1t passed under the walls OF
the palace where Albert Grevv, the gov
ernOr general, lives in state. The win
dows were brightly lighted and the
strains of waltz were borne 70 the ears
of the prisoner. The governor was CIV
ing ball
you have half an hour in which u
prepare for death, said the lieutenant,
compasSionately. Would you like tO
have me send for a priest"
IL suppose" said Farcy, ''you will
grant my last request?7
Yes
Then let me go 10 the ball. would
like to have a waltz before die y
The officer bowed and repaired to VI.
Crews palace.
His request shall be granted, . said
the presidents brother "Who could
refuse dying mans request? Bring
him here; he shall dance with nay
daughter"
And it was done. The last moments
Of his life was spent on ballroom
floor.
AT Is o'clock the officer spoke:
The file Is waiting" SAID ne.
Let Us 60" said Farry. He saiuteJ
the dancers and Withdrew When be
reached tine ground where the lie was
waiting him he refused 70 allow his ewes
to be bandaged, and demanded permits
sion To give the word Of command.
May all journalists do as have
done" said he; ''ir is their duty Then
folding dis arms he cried:
"Fire!'
The crash OF the mUskets rang out OF
the morning air. Camille Farcy fell
dead, pierced with balls.
The vengeance of General FOrgemol
was aecompiished.-[Paris Figaro.