The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-07-15
A MILITARY EXECUTION.
THE FATE OF A YOUNG OFFICER
IN MEXICO.

Shot to Death for Drawing a Pistol
Upon His Superior Ofiicer-"Shoot
Straight at My Heart
The following particulars of the recent
execution Of Lieutenant Estuperron, a
young Mexican officer, are given by
Times Democrat correspondent: Monterey
and the State of Nuevo Leon has been
the theatre of many military tragedies,
but the shooting of Salvador Estuperron,
second lieutenant of the Mexican Cav
airy, was the saddest that has ever dark
ened the annals of the State. A brief
history of the event which led to this
mornings execution is necessary to
proper understanding of the case. Last
December a company of the Thirteenth
Regular Cavalry was ordered to do
special duty at Cadereyta, small town
on the Gulf road. The company was in
command of first lieutenant aud the de-
ceased. A dispute arose between the
officers, and Lieutenant Estuperron fear
ing, rs his friends say, that his 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 ar
rest and tried by a general court-martial
and sentenced to death
There were extenuating circumstances
admitted, and the case was carried to
the highest Federal courts. Pending a
was shot dead in the portals at Mon
terey by one of the soldiers, and the
soldier, while yet the smoke was
curling from his weapon, was shot
down by the captain of the company.
Whether these deaths affected the par
doning power or not will never be
known, but the finding of the court was
approved, and powerful personal appeals
by persons intimately associated with
President Diaz were unavailing. The
death variant was signed and carried in
to execution. That the officer was ad-
mired by the people aud dearly loved In
his regiment was we'll known by the au-
thorities, as the precautions taken by the
commandant of the department were
ample proof.
The time of the shooting was kept q
profound secret until the night before the
execution. The cathedral clock chimed
four. There was a sharp bugle call, a
hurrying of mastering feet, quick COM
mands and rapid evolutions and in few
moments the garrison fell into line. The
gate in the rear of the barracks was
opeued, and the Thirteenth Cavalry in
full marching order on foot, issued forth,
fa1Io hair l,ap1 ,tvtt, ,,,,,Aial ~,
struments. The Fifth Cavalry followed,
and then the Fifth Infantry. They
formed a square, three sides of which
consisted of the representative regiments.
The fourth was the wall of the barracks
The general commanding the department
and staff took up position in the centre
When the troops halted the commanding
officer called, "Attentionm "Fil
bayonets!" He then announced the sen
tence, and added:
"If any man moves in the ranks o.
gives any expression of sympathy Will
the prisoner or fault with the sentenc,
he shall be committed toprisou from ON,
to five years, depending on the gravity o
the offense."
The silence as of death fell upon th,
soldiers and the few spectators who wert
allowed to be present Afar off th
! church bell tolled the knell for the dy
ing. The early sun just gilded tn
mountain peaks that rise like giant senti
nels around the historic city, and one
thoughts went back to the dull gra,
morning long ago, when an American
soldier knelt upon his coffin and met
bloody death almost on the same spot
Great white wreaths circled the higher
! hills. 1t is now 4:45. From out of thu
gate issued a company of the Thirteenth
at its head prisoner, and by his side t
| priest With a firm tread and proudly
lifted head he marched, never falterinl
or halting, but with bright smile upon
/ his face, he looked the least concerned
OF the party, He halted at smal
marked elevation twenty feet from the
barracks wall. His company filed pas
and formed in front, four lines deep
Two lines advanced, halted, aud ont
still advanced. There were six men il
each line. The firing party thus con,
sisted 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 clock struck 3. The off
Ger advanced to bandage the eyes of thu
! prisoner, but the latter waived the Off
Ger aside and said:
IL have looked too often in the face
of death to fear him now.'
''It shall be as you Wish, " said the
captain, as he took his place at the left
of the firing party. Taking or his hat
the prisoner surveyed the assembled
! troops, looked once at the sun-tipped
hills, and said to the firing party
"Shoot straight for my heart, but dc
not strike my face. Adieu," And
bringing his hands to the position OF
"attention, he awaited the end. There
was a slight flash of the captains sword.
The guns came to, "Ready" Another
flash. "Aim" The blade drops. Six
sheets of flame dart toward tls prisoner,
who sprang into the air with three bull
lets in his heart. The surgeon took
hls wrist. The captain gave a quick
command, soldier stepped from the
ranks, and placing his ride to the pris-
oner's head, fired. In less than fifty
seconds from the drop of the sword
Lieutenant Estuperron was dead. The
bugles sounded. The troops filed past
the body; it was put into coffin and
the grim tragedy was Overland as
brave a man US ever buckled on a sword
! had crossed To the sgbiyouac of the