St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-20
BSHOT AS A SPY
Sad Fate of "a Brave Var Correspondent IN
TOngNiR.

Sad Fate of a Brave Var Correspondent IN
Tonqmin.
Thessfollowing pretty story is told by cor
respondent OF the Chicago Inter Ocean: A
terrible example has been made in Ton
quin. One of the special correspondents at
tached 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 Gen. Forgemol. The officer is
martinez and entertains the most rigid ideas
regarding discipline. Before the expedi-
tionary force landed, he, in conjunction with
Gen. Gincendon, concocted the following
pledge, which all the journalists were obliged
| 10 sign: 1e ~ tJs
I, -, promise upon my honor, to
transmit no information whatever, either by
telegraph or mail, or by any other means,
without first having submitted my manu-
script to the officer commanding the expedi-
ton, or to such officer or officers as he may
delegate that power to. further agree that
failure to keep this pledge win expose me
to the rigor of martial law.
This document was signed by all the core
|
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 Forgemo:
General ] sign this document only be
cause | am forced to do so; because without
doing so | could not fulfill my duty as cor
respondent; because without doing 80 could
not accompany the expedition. But warn
you, sir, that | shall speak the truth, touch
ing such matters as may come under my OBJ
! serVation. ~
And, with defiant glance at the general,
Camille withdrew.
The old general gnawed his grizzled NOUS
! tache to conceal his wrath. He did what
| perhaps most men would have done--he set
a spy to dog the footsteps of Farcy
The expedieut was successful. Two even
ings after that the spy detected the journal
list under disguise quitting the camp He
| followed and saw him deposit large enye-
| lope in one Of the minor postoflices upon
the frontier. He was at once arrested and
conducted to Forgemols headquarters.
''Ahap' said the general Eat it already,
my fine fellow Well, what have we herel"
and he seized and broke open the envelope.
| addressed to La FrapcG. Evidently
some correspondence which you were send
ing without my knowledgel"
eyes, general" said Farcy, calmly.
''Let us see what it ISL said Forgemol, as
he began 10 puasue the letter.
General" said, Farcy coldly, ''permit me
to remind you that you are violating private
correspondence.
''Private correspondence Bahr' retorted
Forgemol. Every private, indee%i All
| Paris would know 1t in another day" and
he resumed bis reading.
There were some severe structures In the
| letter upon the conduct Of the campaign.
| Forgemo's reading was interrupted by oaths,
and when he finished he was purple with
| rage.
$50" said he, grimly, ''you consider your
self competent TO judge Of the operations Of o
| general in the field, do youl Well, sir, you
! shall have a taste Of martial law to add to
| your knowledge Of military affairs"
Farcy disdaiued TO defend himself. A
court-martial was Immediately convened.
It's proceedings were summary-its sentence
short: "Camille Farcy Is condemned to be
shot at In the morning.
1t was then midnight. The doomed man
was placed in charge Of lieutenant and
squad Of soldiers, put upon specialitrain, and
was borne swiftly into the capital city, where
the execution was to take place.
At $50 O'Clock the train dashed into the
city. It passed under the walls Of the pal
ace, where Albert Grevy, the goyernor-gen-
era, lives In state. The windows were bril-
liantly lighted. and the strains of waltz were
borne to the ears Of the prisoner. The gov
was giving ball.
s'You have half an hour In which TO pre-
pare for death, =" said the lieutenant, com
passionately "Would you like me TO send
for a priestF'
Il suppose, " said Farcy, ''you will grant
my last reQuestp'
s'Yes.D
"Then let me go tn the ball. 1 would like
10 have waltz before de.''
The officer bowed, and repaired to n.
Grevy's palace.
'sHis request shall be granted,n said the
/ Presidents brother 'fWho could refuse
dying mans request Bring bin ia here;
be shall dance With my daughter
And II WAS done. The last momena Of
his life we're spent on ballroom Hoorg
Att O'Clock the officer spoh:
1.-THE file Is waiting" said be.
'iLet us 90, said Farcy. He saInted the
dancers and withdrew. When he reached
the ground where the file was waiting him,
be refused 70 allow bis eyes 10 be bandaged,
and demanded permission 10 give the word
Of command.
"Nay all journalists do as have done"
he said, 'it Is their duty" Then, folding
bis arms, be cried:
'sFiren'
u The crash Of rnuskets rang out on the
morning air. Camille Farcy fell dead, pierced
With balls.
The veu0eanoe NJ Gen. Forgeuol vas ac-