Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-10-14
MAx,M.l,AM.s EXECUTION.
How tho Emperor and GenerAls Mlfanos
and Mejia Met Their Fate.


How the Emperor and GenerAls Mlfanoo
and Mejia Met Their Fate.
The moment had come; each of the
condemned men mounted the car.
rage which awaited them, and they
trayersed the streets of Oueretaro in
the midst of motley multitude, who,
respectful and afflicted. crowded round
on their passage; handkerchiets were
waved, and now and again sob would
reach the prisoners ears. The con-
demned men bowed on each side as
they recognized in the crowd many q
familiar face. Some minutes before
seven O'Clock they arrived on the Cerro
de las Campanas, a little more than
half mile distant from the town;
here they descended from the carriage.
walked on foot halfway up the hill
called CerrO de las Campanas and
turned their backs against a clump Of
cactus. The General in command of
the troops, S. Gracia de Leon, caused
an order of the day to be read, making
it q penalty of death for any person
who should try to prevent the execu-
ton; and the prisoners were then given
leave to address the crowd. The sun
was by now high in The blue sky, glow
ing over the profound azure of the
lofty mountains and bathing the val
ley 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 OffOur thousand men surrounded
the base of the hill, with its regular
lines and its uniforms and bayonets
glittering in the sun. Outside the med
ley of the undulating crowd. toward
the east, appeared the lines Of the white
houses of Qucretaro, all nearly COW
cred 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 APP
preached Macmillan and asked his
pardon for having to fulfill his duty.
The Emperor distributed several pieces
of gold bearing his effigy to the SOL
diers, recommending them not to aim
at his face. He then embraced Gen.
erals Mejia 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 1ace
and origin are born either to make "A
people shappiness or to be martyrs. God
grant that my blood may be the last
shed for the redemption of this I'M
happy country Long live Mexicol'
Immediately General Miramon. at the
top of his voice, as when he COM
manded his troops on the battlefield.
cried: ''Mexicans! Before the court
martial my defenders only sought to
save my life. At the moment am
about to appear before my God l pro-
test against the name of traitor which
they have thrown in my face to justify
nv condemnation. Let this spot OF
infamy be removed from my chlldren's
name, and God grant that my country
may be happy. Long live Mexico"
General Malta raised his eyes toward
the heavens: Every holy mother. l be-
seech thy Son to pardon me, as l par
don those who are about to sacrifice
me- A volley rang out from the file
of soldiers. and, amidst the cloud of
smoke. which slowly drifted away,
appeared writhing convul-
sively in pool of blood, and groan-
ing: ''Hay Hombre'' The corp de grace
put him out ofhis agony:-Paa'is Figaro.