The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-04-21

|LAST OF .MAXIMILIAN.
TRAGIC ENDING OF THE EMPIRE
OF MEXICO.
The Austrian Prince Received His Sent
ence Calmly and Met His Death Like
Hero-His Last Hours on Earth
Vividly Pictured.
In the Century Mrs. Cornelius Ste
venson brings to an end her series Of
papers on the French intervention in
Mexico her final article being devoted
to "Fhe Fall Of Maximilian.' Mrs
Stevenson says Of the final scene in
the tragedy: The execution had been
liked Tor June 16. At IL o'clock on that
day sentence was read to the condemn
ed, VINO were told that it would be car
rled into effect at. o'clock on the
same afternoon. Macmillan received
the intelligence calmly, and devoted
the Following hours, which he deemed
his last, to debating letters to DR..
Basch and to his Mexican secretary,
Senor. BlaslO. He then confessed to
Padre Soria, and heard mass in General
Mlramon's chamber, where the con-
demned men received the last sacra-
ments, after which he signed his let
ters and took leave of those about him.
In removing his wedding ring and
handing it to DR.. Basch, he said: "You
Will tell my mother that did my duty
as soldier and died like Christian"
After this he quietly awaited death.
The appointed hour. passed, however,
without his being summoned to execu-
ton. After prolonged suspense, at 4
O'Clock in the afternoon news arrived
that reprieve of three days had been
granted by the president, in order that
the condemned might have time to
| MAKE their last dispositions This un-
expected 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 Maxlmlllan. He continued his prep
aratlons with the same calm dignity
that mad not once forsaken him: but
ne sent telegram to the national gov
eminent, asking that the lives of Gen
erals Mlramon and Mejia, "who had
ALREADY undergone all the anguish of
death, be spared" and that he might
be the only victim. The request was
denied. After making this. supreme ef-
fort on behalf of his generals, he en-
ployed his remaining hours in dictat-
ing letters, and when night came he
slept soundly. On the morning of his
/ execution June 19) he arose at 3
O'Clock, and dressed carefully. At 4
O'CLOCK Padre Soria came, and once
more gave him the last sacrament; an
altar mad been erected for this purpose
in niche formed by a passageway to
his cell. This religious duty having
peen performed, he gave instructions
to Dr. Basch, sending greetings and
| last tokens to friends. At a quarter
before he breakfasted; and when, on
Che stroke of 6, the officer appeared
who was to lead him to execution. he
was ready, and himself called his COM
panions in death. Three hacks had
! oeen provided for the condemned. The
! prince entered the first with the priest.
and escorted by the soldiery. the
mourntul procession moved through a
dense crowd to the place of execution.
On arriving at the Cerro de las Cam
| panas, where a month before he had
| MADE his last stand, the fallen emperor
! looked about him for friendly face
and finding only his servant, the HIM.
, 5arlan Tudos, he asked, els no one else
| nere"' 1t is said, however, that Baron
! Magnus, the Prussian minister. and
the Consul Bahnsen were present. al
! though out of sight. The good priest
weakened under the ordeal; he felt
faint, and the prince held his own
! smelhng-bottle to his nose. Followed
oy Generals Miramon and Mejia, Max
| milan walked toward 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: "A
brave soldier should be honored even
in his last hour; permit me to give YOU
the place of honor" and he made way
| Tor him. An officer and seven men had
been detailed to do the deadly work.
The prince gave each of the soldiers
piece of gold, asking them to aim care
July at his heart; and taking off his
lat, 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 it's sons should still
she'd theirs, may it flow for it's good,
but never by treason. Long live indie
pendence! Long live Mexico!" He
.hen 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
/ soldier stepped forward and fired
asst shot.
His Great Ambition.