The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-05-27
A Story of Fremont.

Captain Swasey IS az enthusiastic ad-
mirer of Fremont's career on the coast
aud declares that he is deserving Of every
word of praise which has been given
him and more too. The veteran IS about
to express his views on the much-mooted
subject of General Fremont's career IN
an historical and biographical work In
reference to the charges Of excessive
severity and of brutal treatment Of the
prisoners who fell into his hands. Cap
tain Swasey relates the following drama
tic incident:
Just before the capture Of san LUIS
Obispo. the men under Fremont mad
been subjected to great exposure and to
privation and hardships Of all kinds, and
their hatred Of the Mexiczns had reached
its height. In fact it was pretty clearly
understood that if any Of the enemy was
unfortunate enough to fall into their
hands they would spend bat little time
or sentiment in disposing Of him.
On December Il, two days after the
taking of the town, the pickets captured
Don jose de Jesus Pico, who was called
Tolol. He was tried by eourt-martisl on
the charge of breaking parole, was found
guilty. and was sentenced to be shot. The
fact that Pico was leader rendered him
still more an object of hatred and DIS
trust, and on every side were heard muir
murs of approval when it was decided
that he should pay the penalty Of his
treaehery with his life.
The execution was ordered at 1890
O'Clock in the morning and at 10 O'Clock
/ the whole battalion was ordered TO par
ade on the plaza, where the execution
was to take place. The prisoner was con-
fined in a room in the Mission Pre-
mont with two or three Of his officers
were present awaiting the coming of the
prisoners family 70 take their last fare
well of the beloved husband and father.
The prisoner with bowed head, was seat
ed on one side and opposite stood Fre-
mont with folded arms and face unmey-
| ed from its usual stern demeanOr. The
officers in grim silence were grouped
about when the wife with her eight or
nine children entered, dressed in the
deepest mourning. The wife was beau
tifuI woman Of stately bearing and the
children Of delicate and refined appear
ance. No word was uttered to break tie
silence which had grown oppressive
Then the children fell upon their knees
and with fearful eyes and outstretched
hands mutely begged for the life 50 dear
to them
Among the officers present was that
stern soldier Captain Richard Owens,
who had never feared a living foe, but
whose eyes were then dimmed with
tears at the pathetic sight before him.
Suddenly, for he could no longer control
himself, he uttered the one word Sol
onel!" Freemont's face relaxed its de-
termined expression, and be exclaimed ;
@Yes, Dick, know We had rather meet
= thousand of them in the field to-mor-
row than take this one life Then,
turning to the prisoner, he said: ~Iou
are pardoned you are free"
The prisoner fell upon his knees at
Fremont's feet and pressed the hem OF
j -. - - L. H. a,,l.sr,f-s- Lr~, J~sr,.
| ly in Spanish "My life was forfeit. You
have given it back, and hencefOrth il
shall be devoted TO you" Instantly Pieo
ordered that his horse be saddled, and
from that day on there was no more de
voted follower Of Fremont, through
danger of every kind, than the man
whose life he had given back to him.
SIN Francisco EnTniner.