The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-08-21
MEXICAN DISCIPLINE.
tt4oWzA BRAVE YOUNG SOLDIER MET
AScRIMlseAL,s DEATH.

5ASCRiMtiAI'S DEATH.
FatensF~a Popular Captain OF Cavalry in
B1exico-Storyrsf the Execution and the
circumstances That Led up to the
shooting-A Powerful Picture.
Monterey, in the state of Neuvo Leon,
has been the rtheater of many military
tragedies, but the shooting of Savator
,Estupemon. second lieutenant of the
Mexican cavalry. was the saddest that
has ever darkened the annals of the state.
A brief history Of the event which led
to this execution:is necessary to proper
understanding Of the case.
A company of the Thirteenth regular
cavalry was ordered to do special duty
at, Cadereyta, a small town on the Gulf
road. The company was in command of
a first lieutenant and the deceased. A
dispute arose between the officers, and
Lieutenant Estuperron, fearing, as his
friends say, thaHhis life was in danger,
drew his pistol, but did not shoot at his
superior. 1t is claimed that he snapped
the pistol, but it missed fire. For this
offense he was placed under arrest and
tried by general court martial and SEN
fenced to death.
1n0I0 W6I6 0ALOA0t1411S5
admitted, and the case was carried to
the highest federal courts. Pending a
decision the first officer of the company
was shot dead in the portals at Monterey
by one of his soldiers, and the soldier,
while yet the smoke was curling from
his weapon, was shot down by the cap
tain of the company.
Whether these deaths affected the par
doning power or not will never be known,
but the finding of the court was ap-
proved. and powerful personal appeals
by persons intimately associated with
President Diaz were unavailing. The
death warrant was signed and carried
into execution. That the, officer was ad-
mired by the people and dearly loved in
his regiment was well known by the
authorities, as precautions taken by the
commandant of the department were
ample proof.
THE DEATH SCENE.
The time of the shooting was kept a
profound secret The cathedral clock
chimed 4. There was a sharp bugle
call, hurrying of mastering feet, quick
commands and rapid evolutions, and in
few moments the garrison fell into
line. The gate in the rear of the bar
racks was opened, and the Thirteenth
cavalry, in full marching order, ON foot,
issued forth, followed by their band,
with muf1ed instruments. The Fifth
cavalry followed, and then the Fifth in
fantry. They formed square, three
sides of which consisted of the respect
i've regiments The fourth was the wall
of the barracks The general command
ing the department and staff took up a
position in the center. When the troops
halted the commanding officer called:
Attention. Fix bayonets" He then
announced the sentence. and added:
''If any man moves in the ranks or
gives any expression of sympathy with
the prisoner or fault with the sentence
he shall be committed to prison from
one to five years, depending on the
gravity of the offense."
The silence as of death fell upon the
soldiers and the few spectators who were
allowed to be present. Afar off the
church bell tolled the knen for the dy-
ing. The early sun just gilded the
mountain peaks that rise like giant SEN
tinels around the historic city, and ones
thoughts went back to the dull gray
morning. long ago, when an American
soldier knelt upon his coffin and met q
bloody death almost on the same spot.
Great white wreaths circled the higher
hills. 1t is now 4:45. From out the gate
issued a company of the Thirteenth, al
its head a prisoner, and by his side a
priest. With firm tread and proudly
lifted head he marched, never faltering
or halting, but with a bright smile upon
his face he looked the least concerned
of the party.
FACING DEATH BRAvELY
He halted at small marked elevation
twenty feet from the barracks wall His
company fled past and formed in front
four files deep. Two lines advanced
halted, and one still advanced. There
were six men in each line. The firing
party thus consisted of six men in the
front line within ten feet of the prisoner
and the second line within fifteen feet
The other two lines formed reserve.
The death knel tolled, and the cloch
struck 8. The officer advanced to band
age the eyes of the prisoner, but the lat
ter waved the officer aside and said:
81 have looked too often in the face o.
death to fear him now"
at shall be as you WISH" said tn,
captain as he took his place at the left O
the firing party. Taking off his hat tn,
prisoner surveyed the assembled troops
looked once at the sun tipped hills, an(
said to the firing party: ''Shoot straigh
for my heart, but do not strike my face
Adieu." And bringing his hand to th
position of Attention he awaited TIN
end.
There was slight flash of the cap
tain's sword. The guns came to
.Readyl' Another flash. "Aimp' Th
blade drops. Six sheets of flame dart to
ward the prisoner. who sprang into tn