The record-union., 1895-05-04

proceed to Rivas to treat with Corral,
now the head of the Legjtimists, but that
worthy held Wheeler close prisoner un-
til Walker frightened him by sending q
sloop of war to lombard the town, when
Corral agreed to a consolidation of the
two Governments. Walker here showed
himself wise as we'll as generous, and
divided the offices equally between the
two parties, retaining the command OF
the army for himself. His Government
was recognized by the United States and
several of the Central American ones,
and the boast he had made when boy to
his mother that he would one day found
a State was now fulfilled. Walker In the
meantime had accused Corral of con-
spiracy against the Government; he was
tried by court-martial and shot.
But Costa Rica, jealous of the new Gov
ernment that was attracting her own peo-
pie, declared war on Walker. and he sent
a detachment of troops against them
commanded by Colonel Schlessinger, who
had served under KOssuth in hungary,
but who was overpOwered by large
body of Costa Ricans. Walker also came
into opposition with the Transit Com
pany, which he claimed had not held to
its contract to pay the Government 10 per
cent. of its profits for the privilege of
using the Isthmian route to California.
The company owing the State of Nicara-
qua $3.50, ZOO, Walker took their steamers
for the debt, and sold the privilege to a
new company. Treachery also threat
ened the young State from the Minister
of War. one SalaZar, who plotted to over
throw the Government that was guarded
by Walker. Undeterred by the fate of
Corral, whom Walker had shot for SIM
liar oi1ense, these seeming friends of the
General ran away to Leon and proclaimed
new Cabinet, but SalaZar was captured
when on his way to San Salvado to stir
up that State against Walker. and taken
to Granada, where he was shot for trea-
son.
All the States of the Confederation now
combined against the American, and
though re-enforced by Colonel Byron
Cole with fifty men, the filibusters were
overwhelmed and beaten in several des-
perate fights, in which the Americans
are said to have fought with the courage
and ferocity of tigers. At Masaya the
allies outnum bered Walkers forces four
to one, but he drove them from the town.
Realizing, however, that the tort was too
strong to be taken, he withdrew his men
to Granada. Here he found that the
enemy was already in possession OF the
place. with the exception of the plaza,
and that the garrisons. which had sought
refuge in church, were out of ammuni-
ton. save for five rounds apiece. the
outrages committed by the allies on the
helpless non-combatants will not bear
telling. Like whirlwind, Walker,
leading his intrepid men, swept through
the city, his magnificent eyes, that won
him his soDriquet of "gray-eyed man OF
destiny" blazing with fury. The allied
troops broke and fled before him like
sheep. Mora, President of Costa Rica.
now seized the Transit route, thus cut
ting off all re-enforcements from the
Americans, and after falling in an at
tempt to dislodge the allies from Masaya,
Walker drew OFT the majority Of his men
for the purpose of opening the way to the
sea once more. He left his second, Hen
ningsen, to collect all stores of Granada,
to evacuate the place and join him at San
Jorge. Before Henningsen could do this
the city was attacked by the allies.
In an old dismantled fort twenty-nine
Americans made a stand to cover Hen
ningsen's retreat with the stores, the
sick and wounded. These few men held
the fort all day against charge after
charge, until their ammunition gave out,
and their enemies broke over them like a
bloody wave. Fourteen had been killed
three died of their wounds after the cap
ture, and the remaining twelve, every
one of whom was more or less wounded,
were then and there murdered by the
allies. Mora, in spite of Walkers des-
perate effort to open the way, held the
Transit Route, and thus cut off from all
reinforcements the filibuster. after hold
ing out at Rivas against 1000 of his enc
mics for two months, offered to release
those of his men who wished to go. To q
man they refused to leave him, but the
commander of the United States sloOp-
Of war st. Mary advised him of the maxim
OF ''he who fights and runs away" and
Walker, hoping to return later and renew
the struggle now SO hopeless, consentc i
to go back.
At New Orleans the filibuster was put
under bond to keep the peace, but in 1867
he returned to Nicaragua, which he said
lured him with an irresistible charm. He
was preparing for an expedition against
Rivas and Leon. when he and his men,
numbering 200, were captured by Com
modore Paulding of the United States
navy, and carried to Washington as pO-
litical prisoners, but Buchanan, then
President, declined to prosecute them.
The star of Walkers destiny had set
forever, and his way led straight on to
his death. In 1860 he started for Trujillo.
Honduras, with few followers, and
after fearful march through the burn
ing sand and almost waterless country,
was captured and tried on q charge of
treason and melting rebellion. His con-
was sentenced to be shot. In sight OF his
men, who were confined in stone build
ing near the spot where he was to be ex-
ecuted, he was led out to die. A wall
broke out from his men as they saw him,
and Walker seeing it smiled and pointed
to the sky. With this smile still on his
lips, and the sublime light of courage in
his wonderful eyes, he faced his eXecu-
TONERS.
When they would have bound his eyes,
he threw the handkerchief to the ground
and told them that he had faced death too
often to fear him now. Throwing back
his head, with the finger of his right hand
be touched his heart and called out,
'Fuego" (fire), and fixed his brave eyes
on the setting sun. The next moment
there was flash, the loud report of a
dozen rifles, and dead upon the golden
sand lay William Walker, aged but 36-
his gray eyes closed, his destiny played
out.
a copy of the paper that he edited DUR
ing the brief triumph he enjoyed as COM
mander of the army of the Government
he founded lies before the writer of this
sketch, and feeling of w onder arises at
the versatile genius of the man. First a
doctor, then an editor, next lawyer, a
great soldier, strategist, statesman, once
more an editor, and an able one, as the
Nicardgndn proves, and hero always
Detroit Free Press.
"ALL that glitters is not gold," but the
gold in the medal received by DR.. Prices
Baking Powder at the California Mid
winter Fair is genuine.
[For the RECoRD-UNIoN.I
THE @. A. II.
Here comes the mighty pageant with banners
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