Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1884-11-19
ITO BE SHOT DEAD AT SIX,
The Fate of a French War Cores
pondsnt in the East-A Severe Ex-
ample of Military Disci pline in
Tonuufn,

="
Tonquin.
A terrible example has been made
in Tonquin. One of the special cor
respondents attached to the expedition
now in the field was Camille Farcy,
well known as a brilliant writer
He had long been connected with La
France, one of the leading journals.
The army which he was detailed to
accompany was that of General Forge
mol The officer is martinez, and
entertains the most rigid ideas regard
ing discipline Before the expedi-
tionary force landed he, in conjunction
with General Vincendon, concocted
the following pledge, which all the
journalists were Obliged to sign:
1, ----. promise, upon my honor, to
transmit no information whatever, either by
telegraph or mail, or by any other means,
without first having submitted my manuscript
to the officer commanding such expedition, or
to such officer or officers as he may delegate
that power to. | further agree that any fail
ure to keep this pledge will expose me to the
rigors of martial law. - -.
This document was signed by all the
correspondents attached to the expeGi-
ton. When Farcy's turn came, he
took the pen but it was with evident
reluctance that he signed. When he
had done so he SAID to General Forge
mol
General, sign this document only
because | am forced to do so; because,
without doing so | cannot fulfill my
| duty as a correspondent; because,
without doing so / could not accom-
pany the expedition. But warn you,
sir, that | shall speak the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth,
touching such matters as may
come under my observation" And
with a defiant glance at the General,
Camille withdrew.
The old General gnawed his grlz-
/ lied moustache to conceal his wrath.
He did what perhaps most men would
have done-he set a spy to dog the
footsteps of Farcy.
The eXpedient was successful. Two
evenings after the spy detected the
| journalist, under a disguise, quitting
the camp. He followed, and saw him
deposit large envelope in one of the
minor postoffices upon the frontier.
He was at once arrested and conducted
to Forgemol's headquarters.
| aud! Sdlu Vic oChCldl, ou ~
already, my fine fellow? Well, what
have we here?" and he seized and
broke open the envelope Hum
addressed to La France. Evidently
some correspondence which you were
sending without my knowledge"
Eyes, General" said Farcy, calmly.
LET us see what it is?' said Forge
mol, as he began to peruse the letter.
General said Farcy, coldly, per
nit me to remind you that you are
violating neutrality-suspicious."
"Private correspondence? Bah %
retorted Forgemol. "Very private,
indeed 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
campaign. Forgemol's reading was
interrupted by oaths and when he fin
ished he was purple with rage.
so" said he, grimly, "you con-
slider yourself competent to judge of
the operations of General in the
field, do you? Well, sir, you shall
have taste of martial law to add to
your knowledge of military affairs"
Farcy disdained to defend himself.
A courtmartial was Immediately con-
vened. Its proceedings were sum-
mary-its sentence short:
Camille Farcy is condemned to be
shot at SIX in the morning"
1t was then midnight. The doomed
man was placed in charge of Lieu
tenant and "a squad of soldiers, put
upon a peclal train, and were borne
swiftly into the capital city, where the
execution was to take place.
AT half.past five the train dashed
into the city 1t passed under the
walls of the palace where Albert
Grevy, the Governor General, lives In
state, The windows were brightly
lighted, and the strains of waltz were
borne to the ears of the prisoner. The
Governor was giving ball.
You have half an hour in which to
prepare for DEATH" said the Lieutenant
compassionately. Would you like
to have me send for a priest?'
q suppose said Farcy, you will
grant my last request?
Yes"
"Then let me go to the ball.
would like to have waltz before
die"
The officer bowed, and repaired to
Nj. Grevy's palace.
His request shall be granted said
the Presidents brother. "Who could
refuse dying mans request? Bring
him here. He shall dance with my
daughter"
And / was done. The last moment.
of his life were spent on ballroom
floor AT six o'clock the officer spoke
1.-THE file is waiting"
Let us 90" said Farcy.
He saluted the dancers and with
drew When he reached the GROUND
where the file was waiting him, ht
refused to allow his eyes to be ban
daged, and demanded permission tt
give the word of command.
May all journalists do as l have
DONE" said he; ait is their duty"