The state herald., 1891-08-21
DEATH pRAvELy MET,
A Recent Military Execution In Ono q
the Mexican StnteS.

lLSuu has peen INC tHcbtFC OI many
military tragedies, but tho shooting of
Salvador Estuperron. second lieu.
tenant OF the Mexican cavalry. May
IL. was the saddest that has over dark
ened the annals OF tho state A brief
history OF the event which led TO this
execution Is necessary to proper
understanding Of the case, says tho
Globe-Democrat
Last December company OF tho
Thirteenth Regular Cavalry was
ordered to do special duty ut Cadercy.
tn, a SMALL town on the Gulf road.
The company was in command of
first lieutenant and the deceased.
A dispute arose between the otliccr.
and Lieutenant Estuperron fearing as
his friends say, that his life was IN
danger drew his pistol, but did nos
shoot at his superior II is claimed
that he snapped tho pistol, but 1.
missed fire. For this oifensc he VIZ,
placed under arrest and tried by u
general court-martlal and sentenced 10
death. There were ,extenuating c!r-
cumstauces admitted and the case was
carried to the highest federal courts
Pending decision the first officer OF
the company was shot dead nj the por-
tails mt Monterey by one OF his soldiers,
and the soldier, while yet tho smoke
was curling from his weapon, was sho,
down by the captain of the company.
Whether these deaths affected The
pardoning power or not will never b.
known, bnt the finding OF the eour.
was hpprovod, md powerful personal
appeals by persons intimately aslu-
ciatod with President Daz were una.
vailing.
Tho time OF the shooting was kept
profound secret, The cathedral
clock chimed 1. There was n sharp
bugle call. n hurrying OF mus.
tcring feet, quick commands and rapid
cvolutiOns, and In fow moments ,he
garrison fell into line. The gate ia
the rear of the barracks was opened
and tho Thirteenth Cavalry, in full
marching order on foot, issued forth.
followed by their band with mulilad
instruments. The Fifth Cavalry fol.
lowed, and then the Fifth Infantry.
They formed n square throe side, Oi
which consisted Of the respective reyi.
| ments. The fourth was the wall Of
the barracks. The general command.
ing the department, and stall. took un
| a position in the center When n,
). troops halted the commanding oacu
cried. "Attcntion! Fix bayone.s.'
He then announced tho sentence, and
| added:
eff any man moves In tho ranks n.
! gives any expression Of sympathy wish
tho prisoner or fault with the sentence.
he shall be committed to prison iron
oao to five years, depending on shs
! rfsri,y of the ofiense. "
The silence rs OF death, fell uoon
\ tho soldiers and the few spectator,
who were allowed 10 bs present. I'll,
now i;I5. From tlic gate issue Z
company OF the Thirteenth. nt It's head
II prisoner. ana by his sido prirF,.
With firm tread and proudly lifel
head he marched, never fitlterluf or
halting. but with II bright smile upoa
his lace he looked the least concerned
of the party. He halted at u small
marked elevation twenty feet fpom tho
barracks wall. His company filed past
and formed In front, four files dean.
Two lines advanced, haltDd nnl oll
still advanced. There were six mon
in each line. The firing party thu,
consisted Of six men In the front line
within ten feet of the prisoner, and tho
second line within fifteen foei. Tho
other two lines formed n reserve. The
dealsknell ulicd and the clock Birucl,
.. Tho oiilccr advanced TO bqud1ea
the eyes OF the prisoner. but the later
waved the officer aside and said;
''l have looked too often IN the fncu
OF Death 10 fear him now"
at shall he as you wish. said tho
Captain, rs he took his place nj tlo
left of the firing party. Taking OF
his hat, the prisoner surveyed tho 49,
semblcd troops, looked once nj the
sun-tipped hills, and said to tho ilrin :
party; Shoot straight for my heart.
but do not strike my iucr. Adicu. -
And bringing his hands - the po,l-
ton Of attention. he nwnitel tho
end. There was n slight fash Of tho
Captains sword. Tho guns came 10
"Rcndy" Another nash. "Aim.'
The blade drops. Six sheets Of fame
dart toward the prisoner, who sprl z
into the mir with three bullets In hi,
heart The surgeon took his wrist
The Captain gave n quick command a
soldier stepped from tho ranks and,
placing his rife 10 the prlsonor's head.
fired. In loss than flfty seconds from
tho drop OF the sword Lieutenant
| Estunnprnn Xna n.ud