River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-09-22
SAVED BY A ScAPULAR.
n Catholic Emblem Was More Powerful
than Mexican Justice"

SAVED BY A SCAPULAR.
A Catholic Emblem Was More Powerful
than Mexican Justice"
John p. Martin. Nenia. o.. recently
returned from old Mexico. where he
made futile attempts to develop the
Durango iron field Upon his return
journey through the interior Mr.. Mar
tin met with an experience that illus
trates the erudities of Mexican justice.
Il had with me" said Mr. Martin to
a reporter for the Advertiser, body
guard consisting of six natives, who
were as fine a gang of cutthroats as
ever went unhung. We travelled with
out particular incident until we
reached San Wahan Del Rio. and
there I almost lost INV life through ju-
dicial decree. One of the men belong
ing to the bodyguard got drunk and
attempted to extort money from me.
resisted. and he threatened physical
violence. whereupon I drew my revolver
and it accidentally went off No dam
age was done. although great uproar
followed. and l was quickly surrounded
by a company of native troops OF
course J surrendered. and was at once
marched to Jail, if the miserable howell
they used for combining breakers
could be dignlfied by bearing the title.
Now. | knew that Mexican iails were
also used as pest-houses. and further
knew that smallpox was almost
epidemic in the country, and / resolved
that rather than run the risk of catch
ing that loathsome disease ] would sub
init to being shot. To gain time.
called the chief or captain OF the com
pany and slipped him the only
available money had. which
happened to be counterfeit
Mexican dollar, telling him at the
same time by signs that my head aehed
and that ! wanted to bathe il in a
stream that was but short distance.
The money acted as charIO. and, at
tended solely by the captain, l went to
the water
while bathing my head, in my eff
fort to gain time, l saw some one APP
preach, mounted on a Mexican pony.
| saw at once that the newcomer was
an official of some Importance, and sub
sequently discovered that he was what
would be called a sheriff in this coun-
try. Ny guard and the horseman held
an animated conversation, which re-
suited in the former leaving. while I
accompanied the sheriff to his home.
Here ] met his wife. charming woman,
who made me comfortable The sheriff
explained to the woman the nature of
my trouble. and lett me to her tender
care while he went to my trial \ man
charged with having committed crime
in Mexico is never permitted to attend
his trial
THE good lady Of the house cooked
me a fine supper. and while was eat
ing it informed me by many mournful
signs that l would probably die. 1t
was a most appetlzing conversation.
Having finished my meal. paced nerv-
ously up and down the big room. and
in passing an open door | saw. hang
ing upon the walls of the adjoining
room, crude pictures that told me that
my hostess was of my religious belief.
Many of the women of Mexico are
Catholics. while the men for the most
part do not profess any faith; in fact,
before Mexican can discharge any
public duties iie has to forswear ale
glance to the church of Rome. | had
in my possession a handsome scapular
that had been presented to me by the
sisters of the convent at Marysville,
O.. and this gave to the sheriff wife.
The effect was magical. For while her
actions prior to that time had indi-
Gated that sympathy which a woman
displays when a terrible fate awaits
stranger, vet when confronted with an
emblem which established a religious
bond, she gave way to great grief.
After what seemed to be an inter
minable time the sheriff returned. His
looks convinced me that he bore no
pleasant message. and when he snoke
to his wife in Spanish and she fell on
her knees and cried aloud, ! knew that
John Martins name was mud. / had
been sentenced to death. The wife
pleaded with and implored her husband
to do something to save me from my
impending fate, and finally with look
of blank despair upon his face he left
the house.
During the sheriff's second absence
hisgood wife prayed long and earnestly,
and whether it was the prayer or not
don't know. but when he returned his
face bore a happy expression. He was
elated and it took but few signs to tell
me that my sentence of death had been
reduced to fine of ten dollars. Such
is Mexican iu stice N. Y Advertiser