The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-09-24
The Execution of Macmillan,

Translated from the Paris Figaro.
The moment had come; each OF the
condemned men mounted into the
carriage which awaited them, and
they traversed the streets OF Quere-
taro in the midst OF motley multi
tude who, respectful and afflicted,
crowded round on their passage; hand
kerchiefs were waved, and now and
again q sound of sobs would reach the
prisoners ears. The condemned men
bowed on each side as they recognized
in the crowd many familiar face.
Some minutes before z O'Clock they
arrived on the Cerro delas Campanas,
little more than half a mile distant
from the town; here they descended
from the carriage, walked on foot halt
way up the hill called the Cerro de las
Campanas, and turned their backs
against clump OF cactus. The gen.
aral in command OF troops, S. Gracia
de Leon, caused an order of the day
to be read, making it penalty OF
death for any person who should try
to prevent the execution, and the pris-
oners were then given leave so ad-
dress the crowd. The sun was by this
time high in the sky, glowing over the
profound azure ofthe lofty mountains
and bathing the valley with an intense
flood of light and heat. The Cerro,
like an immense rock thrown in the
valley, stood forth bare and yellow
looking, green in places, with patches
OF cactus and nopals; a square of
1000 men surrounded the base OF the
hill, with it's regular lines, and its uni
forms and bayonets ghttering in the
sun. Outside the medley of the un-
dulating crowd, toward the west,
on the prairie, stretched away the
long and powdery ribbon OF the
Celaya road; toward the east
appeared the lines OF the white
houses OF Queretaro, all nearly cover
ed with foliage and surmounted with
numerous cupolas and crosses; in the
far distance the dim, BLUSH outline of
the Cordilleras. The officer in COM
mand Of the file OF execution ap-
preached Macmillan and asked his
pardon for having to fulfill his duty.
The Emperor distributed several
pieces OF gold bearing his etiigy to the
soldiers, recommending them not to
aim at his face. He then embraced
the Generals Media and Miramon,
and as the latter had placed himself
on his right, he said to him aloud:
"Brave men should be respected by
their sovereigns to the brink OF the
grave. General, pass to the place OF
honor" Miramon stepped to the
center. Then, with a firm voice,
the Emperor addressed the crowd:
"Mexicans! Men OF my race and
origin are born either to make
peoples happiness or to be
martyrs. God grant that my blood
may be the last shed for the redemp-
tion OF this unhappy country. Long
live Mexico!" immediately Gen. Mira
mon, at the top OF his voice, as when
he commanded his troops on the
battlefield, cried "Mexicans! Before
the court.martial my defenders only
sought to save my life. At the mo.
ment | am about to appear before my
God / protest against the name OF
traitor which they have thrown in
my face to justify my condemnation.
Let this spot of infamy be removed
from my children's name, and God
grant that my country may be happy.
Long live Mexico" Then Mejia raised
his eyes towards the heavens: every
holy Mother, 1 beseech thy Son to
pardon me, as l parden those who
are about to sacrifice me-" A volley
rang out from the file of soldiers, and
amidst the cloud OF smoke, which
slowly dritted away, Macmillan ap-
peared writhing convulsively in a pool
OF blood, and groanng: "Hay HON.
bre" The coup de grace put him out
OF his agony.