West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-07-15

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Macmillan, of Austria, and his
beautiful wife Carlotta. to rule on
American soil as Emperor and
Empress, They were both ardent
Catholics and the new rulers re-
ceived the Pope's blessing, but they
soon exhibited such spirit of van
lty and n total disregard for the
peoples rights that was very heart
less, and Mexico was not long in
freeing herself of an imported En-
peror. While IN Mexico City we
saw some of the rtiics OF extrava-
gance which caused Maximilian's
unpopularlty among tho Mexican
people. His grand State cliriage.
which cost $50, 900, and is heavy
gilt and upholstered IN the finest of
red silk plush. His chair and
throne are the same material as the
carriage, and the magnificent Silver
Service is the largest and finest on
this continent, and it is doubt If
any of the European Royalty can
boast OF more magnificent Service
than this relic of Maximihan's reipn
OF grandeur and extravagance in
Mexico. President Diaz is more
democratic in taste and has no use
for such trapping of royalty, so
they are all put on exhibition in
the museum in the National Palace
in the Mexican Capital.
After the close OF our own very
unciyil war, our Government placed
10000 troops on the Texas and
Mexican border. and then asked
the Litcle Napoleon to Withdraw
the French soldiers who sustained
Macmillan, and he was advised to
abdicate the throne, and would
have done so if it had not been for
his wife, the proud, frivolous and
ambitious Carlotta.
His history is very sad one.
Carlotta went to Europe to inter
cedc with Napoleon for her hus-
band, but he turned deaf ear to
all her entreaties and rcpulsed her
on every occasion. As a last resort
she went to the Pope at Rome with
entrcaties for the doomed Emneror.
but he was poweress to holp them.
SO the reign OF Emperor Macmillan
was soon brought to a tragic close,
and he was shot on account Of al
lowing himself to be influenced and
betrayed by the cruel French En-
peror, whose own throne had been
acquired by cruel war and the sac
r.lice Of blood. Maximilian died
like hero, as he was given an op-
portunity TO escape the night before
his execution. Some of hls de-
voted followers had fleet horses in
waiting out of the city, and Maxi
milan was gwen an opportunity TO
get away. His friends would take
BIN to the cOast and he could sail
for his native country, but he re
fused to go unless his two faithful
Generals, Miramon and Mciia were
allowed to accompany him, but it
was not safe TO try TO get them all
away, so Maximilian was resigned
to his fate and met death bravely.
As he thought his wife aud mother
would want to sec him some time
after ho was dead, he requested to
be shot ia the breast instead OF his
face or head. His request was
granted, ana 1t took three shots to
kill him, as he was a 5uperbly built
man. His Generals were shot
through the head and fell at the
first volley. Maximilian was calm
and heroic He said, as the fatal
pilgrimage began, al am ready. Ill
is beautiful day to day"
He, with his Generals and a few
thousand French troops, took rcf-
ugo in this city some time before
he was captured, and il is said
Macmillan often strollcd about
the beautiful Alameda. Tho Mexi-
can soldiers found this out ana took
pleasure IN firing at him from
bill in the distance, bat Che Em
poror neyor paid any attention to
them, until ono day be was sitting
on seat close to fountain. when
a cannon ball struck tho fountain
ard completely demolished it It