The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-10-11
A STORY o. FREMONT.
Pardoning a Prisoner About TO be
Led 70 Execution.

Captain Swlscy il an enthusiastic al
mircr Of FremOnt'S career on the coast
and declares he IS deserving of every word
of praise which has been given him and
more too. The veteran is about to express
his views on The much -mooted subject Of
General Frcmont's career in an historical
and biographical work. In reference It
the charges of excessive severity and OF
brutal treatment to the prisoners who feel.
into his hands, Captain SwaScy relates
the following dramatic incident:
Just before the capture of san Luis
ObispO. the men under Fremont had beer
subjected to great exposure and 10 priv
alton and hardships of all kinds, and
their hatred of the MeXicanS had reached
its height. In fact, it was pretty clearly
understood that if any OF the enemy wa;
unfortunate enough to fall into then
hands they would spend but little time OF
sentiment in disposing Of him.
On December l., two days after the TAX
ing of the town, the pickets captured
Don Jose de Jesus Pico, who was calleG
Totoi. He was tried by court martial or
the charge of breaking his parole, was
found guilty and was sentenced to be
shot. The fact that Pico was leader
rendered him still more an object of hat
red and distrust, and on every side wer,
heard mumurs of approval when it was
decided that he should pay the penalty
of his trcachery with his life The ex-
ecution was ordered for 1890 O'Clock
in the morning, and at 10 o'clock the
whole battalion was ordered to parade or
the plaza, where the execution was te
take place. The prisoner was confined
in Il room in the Mission. Fremont with
two or three of his officers was present
awaiting the coming of the prisoners fam
lily to take their last farewell of the be.
loved husband and father. The prisoner
with bowed head was seated on one side
and opposite stood Fremont with folded
arms and face unmOved from its usual
stern demeanOr The officers in grim
silence were grouped about when tn,
wife with her eight or nine young chill
drcn entered, dressed in the deepest
mourning. The wife was beautiful.
woman of stately bearing and the chill
drcn of delicate and refined appearance
No word was uttered to break the silence
which had grown oppressive. Then the
children fell upon their knees and with
fearful cycs and outstrctchcd hands mute
ly begged for the life so dear to them.
Among the officers present was that
stern soldier Captain Richard Owens,
who had never feared living foe, but
whose eyes were then dimmcd with tears
at the pathetic sight before him. Sud.
denly, for he could no longer control
himself, he uttered the one word: "Col.
onel.' Frcmont's face relaxed its deter.
mined expression. and he exclaimed
'ics, Dick, l know we had rather meet a
thousand of them in the field tomorrow
than take this one life" Then, turning
to the prisoner, he said: "You are par.
doned you are free"
The prisoner fell upon his knees at
Fremont's feet and pressed the hem of his
cloak to his lips, cxclaiming brokenly in
Spanish: MY life was forfeit. You have
given it back, and hcnccforth it shall be
devoted to you" Instantly Pico ordered
that his horse be saddled, and from that
day on there was no more devoted follow
er of Fremont through danger of every
kind than the man whose life he had
given back to him San Francisco Ex.
miner.