Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-06-18
MEXICAN DISCIPLINE


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sA>~saAe-A Povsssai Ptss>rs.
MoatsEsy. In thu state a Neuvo Leon.
has been the theater a many military
tragedies. bus the shooting Of Savator
Esrapsuon. second isotsnsns Of sbe
Mexican cavalry. was the ssddsss that
has ever darkeued the annals u the ststs.
A brief history u tho event which led
% this execution Is necessary 70 q proper
understanding Of the cass.
A company Of the Tnirtsenth regular
cavalry was ordered to do special duty
&C CadereytA. small town on the Gull
road The company Wa in command Of
. INST hsatsnant and the dspsassd- A
dsputs arose between tho oGscera. and
LieutenAnt Estuperron. tearing, - his
friends say. that bis life va Ia danger.
drew his pistol. but did not shoot at his
superior. Il is claimed that hs snapped
the pistol, but IL missed fra For this
ohense be MAS placed under Ax1est and
tried by general coart martial snd sem
fenced TO death
There were extenuating circumstances
admitted. and the case was carried to
tho highest federal courta Peuding .
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 tho 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 b known,
but tho finding OF the court was ap-
proved. and powerful personal appeals
by persons Intimately associated with
President Diax were unavailing. The
death warrant was signed and carried
into execution. That the officer was I'D
haired by the people and dearly loved in
his regiment was well known by the
authorities, as precautions taken by the
conmsndant OF the department. were
ample proof. =.
THE DEATH SCENE.
The time Of tho shooting was kept .
profound secret. The cathedral clock
chimed l. There was sharp bugle
call. hurrying of mastering feet, quick
commands and rapid evolutions, and in
a few moments the garrison fell into
line. The gate in the rear Of the bar
racks was opened, nj the Thirteenth
cavalry. in fun magcaing order. on foot.
issued forth. followed by their band.
with inufled instruments. The Fifth
cavalry followed. and then the Fifth in
fantry- They formed q square. three
sides az 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 .
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 fail. with the sentence
be shall be committed TO prison from
one to five years. depending on tine
gravity Of the ofense."
The silence rs of death fell upon the
soldiers and the few spectators VINO were
allowed to be present. Afar of the
church bell tollcd the knell for the dy-
ing Tho early sun just gilded the
mountain peaks that rise like giant SEN
tinels around the historic city, and one 3
thoughts went back to the dull gray
morning. long ago, when an American
soldier knelt upon his coffin and met .
bloody death almost on the same spot
Great white wrcaths circled the higher
hills. Il is now AS. From ont the gate
issued a company of the Thirteenth, at
its head n prisoner. and by his side a
priest. With. firm tread and proudly
lifted head he marched, never faltering
or hating. but with bright smile upon
his face he looked the least concerned
of the party.
FACING DEATH BRAvELy.
He halted at small marked elevation
twenty feet froin the barracks wall. His
company fled past aud 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 limo within fifteen feet
The other two lines formed q reserve
The death knell tolled. and the clock
struck ). The officer advanced to band
age the eyes Of the prisoner. bat the lat
ter waved the officer aside and said:
IL hayetooked too often In the face Of
death Z sr him now"
1t s-dl be rs you wish" said the
captain ~ he took his place at the LEFT Of
the firing party. Taking of his hat the
prisoner surveyed the assembled troops,
looked once az the sun tipped hills. and
ssid TO the firing pArtys Shoot straight
for my heart. bat do MT strike my face.
Adisu.- And bringing his hand to tho
posisson Of Attention he awaited the
eud
There was slight fash Of tho cap
tain's sword The guns came 70.
Ready Another fash. "Aimr' The
blade drops. Sax sheets Of flame dart to-
ward the prisoner, who sprang into the
arr with three bullets in his ho,rt. The
surgeon tack his wrist The captain
gave quick command. soldier stepped
from the ranks. and placing his rifle to
the prisoners head. fred Ia less than
fifty seconds from the drop ~ the sword
Lieutenant ssssnporrou was dead.
The husies sourScl TIE troops fled
past the body. It was put into the coffin,
aud The grim trsSesiy was Overland -
brave = rnan ~ ever bucsled On . sword
had crossed 70 the "hivoaac II the
dead. Cor St Louis Globe Democrat.