Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-07-10
Gillian Warfare Horrors.

Gillian Warfare Horrors.
NEW YORK, July "A correspond.
ent at Santiago writing on Decoration
day. May 80. says: The United States
this day is dedicated to remembrances
of the dead who fell fighting for the
union. In Chilli this is the day upon
which scores OF men were shot by
their brethren. In this city the shoot
ing OF the officers and sailors of the
torpedo launch Gualda was the special
feature of the wholesale execution.
The men were placed in one of the
large rooms OF the den last night, and
those who desired to confess did so.
At one side. on table, was a crucifix
between two candles. The half broken
sobs OF the prisoners intermingled
with the low tones OF the priest who.
on his Bonded knees, exhorted the
condemned men. Even the stern,
rough soldiers of Balmaceda, who were
on guard, could not repress tears. All
the night the solemn ceremony con-
tinued.
1t was scarcely daybreak when the
shrill notes of bugle were heard.
Soon six companies of infantry were
in line in the prison yard. An officer
quickly assembled the steps leading to
the capilla, as the room is called and
handed the officer on guard a docu-
ment 1t was the sentence and order
OF execution, which was read and then
the funeral procession was formed.
AS the prisoners stepped out of the
room each was put between two grim
soldiers. When all had been thus
placed the procession moved out of
the prison and was met by two COM
panies of mounted men, formed in two
long lines, between which the men on
foot proceeded to the place of execu-
ton. There was not n soul in the
streets.
On arriving at the plaza the troops
formed in hollow square and Sec
ton of sharp shooters took positions
opposite the condemned men. Not d
muscle OF their faces moved; by no
sign did they betray the least emotion.
They did not seem to realize that these
men whom they were in the next min!
ute to send to their graves were theii
brethren.
After the prisoners had kissed the
crucifix their hands were tied behind
them and then the commando: Pre-
pare. Aim. Fire, rang out. A close
volley. little puffs OF smoke, and the
execution was accomplished. About q
dozen men had been sent into eternity
because they espoused the cause OF
liberty as they understood it.
The butchery, for that is what the
shooting is called. has not only caused
Indignation among the friends OF tho
dead, but also among Balmacede's ar
dent defenders. The dead sailors and
officers were in charge of the torpedo
launch Gualda in Valparaiso bay. One
night the commander proposed to his
crew to desert and go over to the con-
gressional party. All acouiesced ex-
cept one, and before steaming out of
the bay he was landed. He notified
the authorities at once and the Ami
rante Lynch was sent in pursuit. At
Papudo the Lynch caught up with the
launch and quickly captured it.
The men were put in irons and taken
back to Valparaiso, whence they were
sent to Santiago. There they were
thrown into prison and one by one they
were tortured by the brutal keepers.
they were literally made to go with.
out food and water for two and three
days at time. The cells to which the
men were assigned We're reekng with
filth and vermin. On the day on which
they were brought out to meet their
doom they were so weak that they had
to be assisted TO walk or they would
have fallen. Their faces were haggard
and deadly pallor overspead their
features, showing what hunger and
suffering had done. The tortures to
which prisoners are subjected by Bal
maceda's agents almost passes belief.
The man who without thinking gives
vent to his opinion OF the dictator is
next Gay missed from his accustomed
haunts. One, two, three days. whole
week passes and still nothing is heard
from him. A close scrutiny OF one OF
the cells in the prison will without
doubt reveal the missing man. II he
is n person who possesses secret the
usual course pursued EN- braces logging
with rawhide whips, pummeling OF
hands with mallets, striking the body
with thin sticks and depriving him OF
food and water. Several instances
have come to my knowledge.