Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1898-07-13
EXECUTION OF MAMMALIAN,
He Received His Sentence Calmly and
Met Death Like "a Hero.


who were told that it would be car
ried into effect at o'clock on the
same afternoon.
Maximilian received the intelli
gence calmly and devoted the fol
lowing hours, which he deemed his
last, to debating letters to DR.. Basct
and to his Mexican secretary, Senol
Blaeio. He then confessed to Padre
SOria and heard mass in General
Miramon s chamber, where the con
demned men received the last sacra'
ments, after which he signed his let
tiers and took leave of those about
him. In removing his wedding ring
and handing it to DR.. Basoh he said,
"You will tell my mother that did
my duty avs soldier and died like q
Christian. After this he quietly
awaited death.
The appointed hour passed, how
ever, without his being summoned
to execution. After prolonged sus-
pense, at O'Clock in the afternoon
news arrived that reprieve of three
days had been granted by the presi-
dent in order that the condemned
might have time to make their last
dispositions.
This unexpected delay naturally
aroused hopes among the friends OF
the doomed men. These hopes, it is
said by those closest to him at that
time, were not shared by Maximil-
ian. He continued his preparations
with the same calm dignity that had
not once forsaken him, but he sent
a telegram to the national govern
ment asking that the lives of Gen
erals Miramon and Mejia, "who had
already undergone all the anguish
of death, be spared" and that he
might be the only victim. The re-
quest was denied.
After making this supreme effort
on behalf Of his generals he employ
ed his remaining hours in debating
letters, and when night came he
slept soundly.
On the morning of his execution
(June 19) he arose at o'clock and
dressed carefully. At 4 o'clock
Padre Soria came and once more
gave him the last sacrament. An
altar had been erected for this pur
pose in a niche formed by passage
way to his cell. This religious duty
having been performed, he gave in
structions to DR.. Basch, sending
greetings and last tokens to friends
At quarter before he breakfast
ed, and when, on the stroke of 6, the
officer appeared who was to lead
him to execution he was ready, and
himself called his companions in
death. Three hacks had been pro-
vided for the condemned. The prince
entered the first with the priest, and,
escorted by the soldiery, the mourn
full procession moved through
dense crowd to the place of execu-
ton.
On arriving at the Cerro de las
Campanas, where month before he
had made his last stand, the fallen
emperor looked about him for
friendly face, and, finding only his
servant, the Hungarian Tudos, he
asked, is no one else here9" It is
said, however, that Baron Magnus,
the Prussian minister, and Consul
Bahnsen we're present, although out
of sight.
The good priest weakened under
the ordeal. He felt faint, and the
prince held his own smelling bottle
to his nose.
Followed by Generals Miramon
and Mejia, Macmillan walked to-
ward the open square, where an
adobe wall had been erected, against
which they were expected to stand.
About to take his position in the
middle, Macmillan stopped and,
turning to General Miramon, said:
IA brave soldier should be honored
even in his last hour. Permit me to
give you the place of honor. And
he made way for him.
An officer and seven men had been
detailed to do the deadly work. The
prince gave each of the soldiers a
piece of gold, asking them to aim
carefully at his heart, and, taking
off his hat, he said: "Mexicans, may
my blood be the last to be spilled for
the welfare. of the country, and if it
should be necessary that its sons
should still shed theirs may it flow
for it's good, but never by treasonl
Long live Independence Long live
Mexicop'
He then laid his hands on his
breast and looked straight before
him. Five shots fired at short range
pierced his body. Each of them was
mortal. He fell, and as he still
moved the officer in charge pointed
to his heart with his sword, and a
soldier stepped forward and fired