Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-14
BRAVELY HE MET DEATH.
he Had Done . COwardly Deed, but
There Was Courage in Him.

From the New Orleans Times Democrat
The steamship Hutchinson from Havana
brought besides other passengers, Q gentleman
who had witnessed the execution in that city
by the Spanish army of conscript soldier
named Agullo. Agullo's offence was the mur-
der Of his commanding sergeant A Tynes-
Democrat reporter obtained from the gentleman
description of the military execution, which
took place at Fort Principe:
II saw Agullo as he stood directing the SOL
diers to aim at his head and heart on the morn
ing Of his execution" said the gentleman. at
was 6 O'Clock, on the elevation Of Principe,
whose crest il crowned with that gray granite
fortress, and from which point the harbor view
is grand, that Agullo, casting one feeting
glance to wave-lapped Moro, fell, pierced by
the three bullets IN his head, upon the narrow
parapet OF Fort Principe. One bullet of the
four destined for him sped wide of its mark,
wounding an officer TO the rear and near the
fort.
"Agullo was man Of magnificent PHYSIQUE,
six feet tall, fine head, brilliant eyes and face
denoting gentle birth and refined intelligence
His long, military step-as he marched to the
point of his execution in the square formed by
the corps OF engineers, in which he was en-
listed, OF artillery, cavalry, volunteers and in
fantry-caused murmurs of admiration to rise
to the lips of the 5000 spectators, curiously
brought together to witness the stern sentence
of the military court.
"As he stood, the central point of all eyes,
dressed in his fatigue uniform, striped trousers,
and cap, directing his feliow-soldiers to aim
with surety, the sad contemplation of life
which in other fields may have led to a success
full career broke in upon the spectator with
harshest feeling. There is no telling what
grief-laden hearts beat with suffering throbs
IN far-away Spain, innocent victims alike with
their soldier nal ed IN Tho tod
CONSUMPTION in Cuba But such Is often the
case, and this poor Agullo, smarting under the
overwhelming sergeant who fed him his food in
insult as to dog, burning under the adverse
fate, became the assassin and slew his victim
when asleep.
1.-The prisoners hours before the execution
were spent in calm, deliberate consideration.
He had begged friend to write to a brother
and sister telling them Of the close Of his life,
and altering his will by bequeathing q small
house in Spain to his sister, which in previous
document he left to his brother, and spent
much time in religious exercise.
"At o'clock in the morning large crowds
began steadily to wend their way toward Cas-
tello Principe. Senior Elias, chief Of police,
and the colonel in command inspected the
square formed by the military on the north
west quarter of the esplanade, in the direction
of the chorera.
THE condemned soldier, accompanied by
the Brothers OF Charity, saluted each onlooker
Win MS farewell and, defylng death, stood at
the spot where post had been placed for him
to lean on to await his doom, without one
culver Of nervousness. He was heard to re-
mark: i was a coward. killed him while he
was asleep. That was badly done. In the
preparations going on around him he took act
i've interest in the direction of one thing and
another and then, calling sergeant from some
distance, bade him goodbye.
when the soldiers advanced to place the
bandage over his eyes he told them, putting
his hands across his face: There is no neces-
sity OF bandaging my eyes, but if absolutely
necessary will bandage them myself. He
took his own handkerchief for this purpose
and loosely tied it so that he could see over
the edges. This he was told would not do, and
for the first time his fingers shook under the
strain upon his feelings, and one of the chap
lains stepped forward, securely knotting the
ends of the bandage and firmly pressing down
his cap to hold them in position. The soldier
kissed the cross as his last glimpse of
earth was taken and saw the four SOL
diers had come close to him, as he re-
quested that death might be quick and certain
They had previously been the military dis
lance. These four soldiers had been given a
cigar each and some money by Agullo Dis
regarding the special plea Of Agullo, these four
men, as they looked at the livid countenance
and eyes Of feverish blaze when the request
was made to come closer and closer were
visibly disturbed. Agullo could touch the
muzzles of the pieces. Standing close to the
word 'kneer he quickly sank to his knees.
the body leaning against the post fell to the
pr0und daad