Morning journal and courier., 1891-06-24

Monterey in the state of Neuvo Leon,
has been the theater of many military ira
gedies, but the shooting of Salvador Estu.
perron, second lieutenant of the Mexican
cavalry, was the saddest that has ever dark
ened the annals of the state. A brief his
tory of the event which led to this e1ecu-
ton is necessary to a proper understanding
of the case.
A company of the Thirteenth regular
cavalry was ordered to do special duty at
Cadereyta, small town on tho Gulf road.
The company was in command of 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 snapped the pistol, but it
missed fire. For this offense he was
placed under arrest and tried by q gen.
eral court martial and sentenced to death.
There were e1tenuating circumstances
admitted, and the case was carried to the
highest federal courts. Pending 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 captain of tho compa-
n.y..
Whether these deaths affected the par
doning power or not will never be known,
but the finding of the court was approved,
and the powerful personal appeals by per-
sons intimately associated with President
Diaz was unavailing. The death warrant
was signed and carried into execution.
That the officer was admired by the people
and dearly loved in his regiment was well
known by the authorities, as precautions
taken by the commandment of the depart
ment were ample proof,
The time of the shooting was kept pro-
found secret. The cathedral clock chimed
5. There was q sharp bugle call "a hurrying
of mastering feet, quick commands and
rapid evolutions, and in few moments
the garrison fell into line. The gate in the
rear of the barracks was opened, and the
Thirteenth cavalry, in full marching order,
band, with muffled instruments. The Fifth
cavalry followed and then the fifth infan-
try. They formed a square, three sides of
which consisted of the respective regi-
ments. The fourth was the wall of tho
barracks. The general commanding the
department and staff took up position in
the the center. When the troops halted
the commanding officer called: "Atten-
toni" elk bayonets!" He then announced
the sentence, and added:
eff any man moves in the ranks or gives
any expression of sympathy with the pris-
oner or fault with the sentence he shall be
committed to prison from one to FIVE
years, depending on the gravity of the Of
fsnse."
The silence as of death fell upon the
soldiers and the few spectators who were
allowed to be present. Affair off the church
bell tolled the knen of the dying. The ear
ly sun just gilded the mountain peaks that
rise like giant sentinels around the historic
city, and ones thoughts went back to the
dull gray morning, long ago, when an Amer
lean 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
head prisoner, and by his side priest.
With a firm tread and proudly lifted
head he marched, never faltering or halt
| ing, but with bright smile upon his
| face he looked the least concerned of the
party.
He halted at small marked elevation
| twenty feet from the barracks wall. His
company filed past and formed in front
four files deep. Two lines advanced, halt
ed and one still advanced. There were six
men in each line. The firing party TINS
consisted of six men in the front line with
in ten feet of the prisoner, and tho second
lines formed a reserve. The death knel
tolled, and the clock struck 8. The officer
advanced to bandage the eyes of the pris
oner, but the latter waved the officer aside
| and said:
| sT have looked too often in the face OF
death to fear him now"
sIt shall be as you wish" said the cap
tain as he took his place at the left of the
firing party. Taking off his hat the pris
once at the sun tipped hills, and said to tn,
firing party: "Shoot straight for my heart
but do net strike my face. Adieu." AnG
bringing his hand to the position of cat
tention" he awaited the end.
There was a slight flash of the captain
sword. The guns came to. Ready
Another fash. calm" The blsd
drops. Six sheets of flame dart towart
the prisoner, who sprang into the air will
three bullets in his heart. The surgeo,
took his wrist. The captain gave a quicl
ranks, and placing his rifle to the prison
er's head, fred. In less than fifty sec
onds from the drop of the sword Lieuten
ant Estuperron was dead.
The bugles sounded. The troops file
past the body; 1t was put into the cofH
: and the grim tragedy was overland q
brave a man as ever buckled on . swor
had crossed to the 'fbivouac of the dead.
HOrsf0rd's Acid Phosphate
For Sunstroke.
It relieves the prostration and nervor
arrangement. je22 3teod1tw
, F. A. CARLTON. .