Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-05-09
Told by the Survivor.


E1- Mayor Hughes, of Tshleqush. 1. T.,
veteran of the war of Texas indepen
dence, said the other day: ''Soon after
went to Texas 1 was captured, together
with twenty three other Texans, by the
Me1icsns, and taken to the City of Mexi
co, and myself and six others were the
only ones who escaped to tell the fate OF
our unfortunate companions. They wers
all shot. There were twenty-three beans
placed In the sombrero, seven of which
were white and the remainder black. We
were all marched out in line, and gresser
with the sombrero containing the beans
stood a short distance away holding the
hat as high as ~one could reach above his
head. One by one we marched up and
took out one bean. If 1t was black one
set at liberty or held as prisoners of war.
When 1t came my time to draw l did SO
with but faint rag of hope of bsing one
of the seven. l was about the middle of
the line and stood beside one of the best
friends of my life.
"Netber of us looked in our hands when
We drew until all were through. While
the remainder of the prisoners were draw
ing my friend proposed that we swap
beans, more in an effort to be cheerful
than anything else, thought at the time.
Without hope of either of US being sue
cessful l exchanged beans with him.
When all were through an officer passed
along the line to take up the beans As
he advanced toward us I saw one man led
out of the line. Some of the others looked
agitsted and white In the fsoe, while Others
showed looks Of defiance and resignation.
The officer reached my friend before he
did me and called for his bean; / glanced
down into his hand and saw It was black.
His countensncs did not change; his lips
were firmly closed and his nostriIs dilsted
with something like pride and bravery.
The officer passed to me. I opened my
hand aud-my bean was white one.
think turned psle in the face. l glanced
up at my friend and a look of satisfaction
met my gaze. 1 wac too sgitated to speak
to him, and ere recovered myself l was
led out of the line sud placed beside the
other lucky man
"When the drawing had closed FIVE Other
men stood with US, and preparations com
menced for the execution of the sixteen
unfortunstes. They were placed In row
with their hands firmly bound behind
them. I tried to catch glance from my
friend but he would not look at me.
Then remembered it was my bean that
had condemned him; true, we had ex'
changed beans, unthinkiugly on my part,
but had drawn the black one. A feeling
of guilt came over NE, and l determined
to reotify the wrong which l felt that
WAS doing him. called to an officer and
told him 8 mistake had occurred; that
had drawn the black bean snd that 1 and
my friend had exchanged before l looked
at my bean. The officer laughed ssrcssti-
cally and remarked In broken English that
my friend was out of luck | asked him
to correct the wrong and he refused. i
then asked, if nothing else, that be per
mitted to speak a word with my friend
finally granted, and / advanced to where
he wss standing AS | approached him
saw him attempt to bring his right hand
around In front of him, bat 1t was bound.
l think he intended TO shsks hands good
bye with me.
g 'JIm,' said I, you should not bs shot
l drew the black bean and want my place
where you now stand.
''He did not look surprised at what
said. but calmly replied:
"'No, George, did it myself; l knew
that your bean was q black ono aud that
mine was white before we exchanged. We
have been good friends; we were rsised
up together We are both too young to
die, but then, George, you know you are
married, have the best little woman in the
world. who il perhaps praying this mo-
ment for your safe return to your little
home 1 an not married, am free In the
world and 1t is my duty to die for you
The thought of my little wife and happy
little home overcsme me aud my eyes filled
with tears could not spssk, nor scsgcs
| ly stand. With Ru appealing glance ipt'
the face OF THE dear frisEd-s frisnd wine
| voluntarily proposed to die for me that
i might return 10 a loving and dependen
| wife-I was led way by the officer.
didn't witness Jim's execu'ian. bat hear
the terrible volley fred-the most fearfc
| 1 have ever heard In b.ttle-sBd l knew
| that Jim was gene 1 never rsw hin
/ sgsin, and his grave, well IS the 9th.
| SIX, Ia unknawn to ms to this day.
| 1--WE were held prisoners for shor
time, and through the assistance of one o
our guard made onr escsps in time TO j1il
| General Houston and take part in th
eventful battle of San J.cinto."