The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-11
DEATH BRAvELY MET.
s. Recent Military Execution In
Ono Of the Mexican States.
The Heroic Manner in Which an Unror
tunato Officer Faced Ills End-IIIs
Last Request of Ills Execution

tunato officer Faced Ills End-IIIs
Last Request of Ills Execution
crs-A Sad Story.
Monterey and the state of Nucvo
Leon have been the theatcr Of many
military tragedies, but the shooting of
salvador Estupcrron, second lieutenant
OF the Mexican calvary, was the sad
dcst that has ever darlencd tho annals
Of the state.
Last December, says tho ST. Louis
Globc-Democrat, n company of the
thirteenth regular cavalry was ordered
to do special duty ut Cadcrcyta, a small
town on tho Gulf road. The company
was in command of Il first lieutenant
and Estuperron.
dispute arose between the officers,
and Lieut.. Estuperron fearing, as his
friends say, that his life was in danger,
drew his pistol, but did not shoot at his
superior. 1t is claimed that lie snapped
the pistol, but it missed fire. For this
offcnsc he was placed under arrest and
tried by general courtnartial and
sentenced to death. There wcro cxten-
uating circumstances admitted and tho
case was carried to the highest federal
courts. Pending n decision the first
officer of the company was shot dead
in the portals ut Monterey by one of his
soldiers, and the soldier, while yet
tho smoke was curling from his
weapon, was Shot down by the captain
of the company Whether these deaths
affected the pardoning power or not
will never be known, but the finding
OF the court was approved, and power
full personal appeals by persons init
Inately associated with President Dinz
were unavaiing.
The time of the shooting was kept a.
profound secret for " time. Tho
cathedral clock chilncd four. There
was sharp buglc call, hulrying of
mastering feet, quick commands and
rapid cvolutions, and in few moments
the garrison fell into line. The cato in
the rear OF the barracks was opened,
and the Thirteenth cavalry, in full
marching order, on foot, issued forth,
followed by their band with muflcd
instruments. The Fifth cavalry fol-
lowed, and then the Fifth infantry.
They formed Il square, three sides Of
which consisted of the respective rcgi-
ments. The fourth was the wall of tho
barracks. The general commanding
the department and staff took up po-
sition in the center. When the troops
haultcd the commanding officer cried:
Attention! Fix bayonctsl" lie 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"
Silence, as Of death, fell upon the
soldiers and the few spectators VINO
were allowed to be present. 1t was
now four fortyivc. IRON the gate is
sued company of the Thirteenth, Mt
It's head prisoner and by his side
priest: With firm tread and n proud
ly-liftcd head he marched, never faltcr-
ing or hating, but with bright smile
upon his face, he looked the least con-
cerncd of the party. He halted ut u
small marked elevation twenty feet
from the barracks. Ills company filed
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 sec ond line within fifteen feet
The other two lines formed n reserve.
The death kncll tollcd, and the clock
struck five. The officer advanced to
bandagc the eyes OF the prisoner, but
the latter waved the officer aside and
said:
'"Ive have looked to often in the face
oe death to fear it row."
ut shall be as you WISH" said tho
captain. rs he took his place to the left
of the firing party. Taking off his hat
the prisoner surveyed the assembled
troops and looked once for the sun
tipped hills, and said to the firing
party: Shoot straight for my heart,
but do not strike my face. Adicu."
And bringing his hands to the posi-
ton of attention" he waited the end
The was slight flash of the captains
sword. The guns came to ''Ecady."
Another fash. "Ai,n" The blade
drops Six sheets of flame dart toward
the prisoner, who sprang into the air
with three bullets in his heart The
surgeon took his wrist The captain
gave Il quick command, n soldier
stepped from the ranks, and, placing
his rifle to the prisoners head. fred. In
less than fifty seconds from the drop of
the sword Lieutenant Estuperron was
dead.
An Entcrprising Miss.
hr.irhx Maine irl 1x.bo eo-o..1