The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-06-29
MEXICAN DISCIPLINE.
How a Brave Young Soldier met
a Criminals Death.

tragedies, but the shooting of Savator
Estuperron, second lieutenant of the
Mexican cavalry, was the saddest that
has ever darkened the annals of the state.
A brief history Of the event winch 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, 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, that his life was in danger,
drew his pistol, but did not shoot at his
superior. 1t Is claimed that he mapped
the pistol, but it missed fire. For this
onense he was placed under arrest and
Tried by a general court martial and SEN
fenced to death.
There were extenuating circumstances
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 APP
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
profound secret. The cathedral clock
chiIned 4. There was a sharp bugle
call, a 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, and the Thirteenth
cavalry, in full marching order, ON foot,
issued forth, followed by their band.
with muffled instruments. The Fifth
cavalry followed, and then the Fifth in
fantry. They formed a 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
position in the center. When the troops
halted the commanding officer called:
Attention. "Fix bayonetst" He then
announced the sentence. and added:
eff 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 we're
allowed to be present. Afar off the
church bell tolled the knell 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
bloody death almost on the same spot.
Great white wreaths circled the higher
hills 1t is now 4:45. From out the gate
issued company of the Thirteenth, at
its head prisoner, and by his side
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 a small marked elevation
twenty feet from the barracks wall. His
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 second line within fifteen feet.
The other two lines formed a reserve.
The death knel tolled, and the clock
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 of
death to fear him now"
SIT shall be as you wish" said the
captain as he took his place at the left of
the firing party. Taking off 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 do not strike my face.
Adieu." And bringing his hand to the
position of Attention" he awaited the
end.
There was slight flash of the cap
tain's sword. The guns came to.
Ready" Another flash. "AimI" The
blade drops. Six sheets of fame dart to-
ward the prisoner, who sprang into the
air with three bullets in his heart. The
surgeon took his wrist. The captain
gave quick command, a soldier stepped
from the ranks, and placing his rife to
the prisoners 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 the coffin,
and the grim tragedy was overland as
brave man as ever buckled on sword
had crossed to the "hivouac of the
dead"