Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-01-06
MAxpIuIAN's LAST MOMENTS
Recent Disclosures Regarding the
last Hours of the Emperor.

Ii vas n QGeretaro that Maximilian
made his final stand after the with
drawal OF the French troops at WORD
of warning from Mr.. Seward. 1t Is q
lovely old city, with splendid aque-
duct IN the Roman manner. many an
ciept and picturesque churches. and
soft and genial climate. Then, as now,
it was q stronghold of the church
party. tie very citadel of Catholicism
in Mexico. Macmillan was here be.
sieged and overthrown, and imprisoned
in the convent of the Capuchinos, and
thence, after the famous court-martial,
led out to the Hill of the Bells to be
Dhot. Recent disclosures regarding
the last hours of the emperor will
destroy many legends OF the fatal day.
and / will here relate the contents ol
n document which the prizes. Soria
lately dictated shortly prior to his own
death. Soria was the emperors con-
fessor, and was with him during his
last few days, and what he here says
must pass into history as the true ac'
count of MaximIlian's last moments.
an account not yet printed IN English.
IL was OF Soria that Macmillan said:
s.It Is 1 VINO must console this good
priest. and not let him become utterly
overcome.
'sThe night before his DEATH" says
the confessor Soria, 'the emperor
wrote two letters, one to the pope and
the ether to his mother. He conided
both to me, together with a handker-
chief for his neither.
.'On the following morning accom-.
panied him to the place of execution.
The cortege was composed of three
wretched coaches. I got into the first
with the emperor, while Miramon and
Meiia occupied, with their confessors,
the other two.
'sHardly had we left the convent Of
the Capuchinos when was surprised to
see Maximllian strike his breast, say
ing;
"I have put eight handkerchiefs
here to keep the blood from staining
my uniform
San the rest OF the way the emperor
busted himself with praying and rec
ommending his soul to God. But on
seeing the Hill of the Bells lie ex-
claimed:
"'There is where 1 had thought TO
hoist the standard of victory, and there
is where 1 am going to die. Life Is
play
'And after some moments OF silence
he added: What beautiful yiewl And
what beautiful day to diel
when We had arrived at The pllce
execution il was found difficult TO openf
the door Of the coach.
Then MaximIlian, being impatient.
leaped out of the window, knocking OF
his hat.
"He handed me the crucifix, embrac.
ing me. He also embraced Miramon
and Mejia, distributed some gold coins
among the soldiers who were to shoot
him, and then, in a strong voice pro-
noupced in Spanish these words: Il
forgive everybody, and l ask that all
may forgive me, and 1 desire that my
blood, which Is going to be shed, may
be for the good of Mexico. Long live
Me1icol Long live her independence!
Immediately he placed his hand on
his breast, indicating the spot for the
sOlQleI6 10 Idhe alL1 III 1ASH iLS
drums sounded, and in the presence Of
the 1000 soldiers assembled 1t was pro-
claimed that whoever should raise his
voice in behalf of the condemned man
would be made to suffer the same PEN
atty. Not murmur was heard among
the immense crowd standing behind the
troops.
s'At a given signal the three platoons
fired, and Miramon and Mejia fell dead
at once, but Maximilian did not die at
the first discharge and uttered three
groans. Then they gave him the coup
de grace"
The priest Soria denied that Maxi
milan, as the legend goes, gave the post
of honor at the execution to Miramon,
saying: ga brave man merits the res
pect of his sovereign; take the place OF
honor" The placing of the condemned
was by accident. Thus q picturesque
legend is dissipated.