The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-10
THE EXECUTION or MAMMALIAN.
Tragic Ending of the brief Empire
of Mexico.

Tragic Ending of the Brief Empire
of Mexico.
Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson in the Century.
The execution had been fixed for June
l6. AL II o'clock on that day sentence was
read to the condemned who were told that
it would be carried into effect at 3 o'clock
on the same afternoon. Macmillan re-
ceived the intelligence calmly, and devoted
the following hours, which he deemed his
last, to debating letters to DR.. Basch and
to his Mexican secretary, Senior Blasio. He
then confessed to Padre Soria, and heard
mass in Gen. Miramon's chamber, where
the condemned men received the last sac
raments, after which he signed his letters
and took leave of those about him. In re-
moving his wedding ring and handing It
TO Dr. Basch, he said: you will tell my
mother that I did my duty as a soldier and
died like a Christian" After this he quiet
y awaited death.
The appointed hour passed however,
without his being summoned to execution.
After prolonged suspense, at o'clock in
the afternoon, news arrived that a reprieve
of three days had been granted by the
president, in order that the condemned
might have time to make their last dispo-
sitions.
This unexpected delay naturally aroused
hope among the friends of the Doomed
men. These hopes, IL is said by those
closest to him at that time, were not
shared by Macmillan. 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 Gems. Mira
! mon and Meija, who had already under
gone all the anguish of death, be spared"
and that he might be the only victim, The
request was denied. After making this
supreme effort on behalf Of his generals,
he employed his remaining hours in dicta-
ting letters, and when night came ne slept
] soundly.
On the morning of his execution June
19) he arose at 3 o'clock and dressed core
fully. AT 4 o'clock Padre Sorla came, and
once more gave him the last sacrament;
| an altar had been erected for this purpose
in a niche formed by a passageway TO his
cell. This religious duty having been per-
formed, he gave instructions to Or. T2ascn,
sending greetings and last tokens to
| friends. At a quarter before he break
| tasted; and when, on the stroke of g. the
| officer appeared who was to lead him 10
execution, he was ready, and himself call
ed his companions In death. Three hacks
! had been provided for the condemned. The
| Prince entered the first with the priest,
and, escorted by the soldiery the mourn
| full procession moved through a .lense
crowd to the place of execution.
On arriving at the Cefro 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 Hungarian Tudos,
| he asked: 'Is no one else here?'' It IS
said, however, that Baron Magnus, the
Prusslan minister, and the Consul BahI-
| sen were present, although out of sight.
| The good priest weakened under the cr-
deal; he felt faint, and the Prince held
| his own smelling bottle to his nose.
Followed by Gems. Miramon and Mejia,
| Macmillan 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 turn.
ing to Gen. Miramon, said: "A brave SOL
| der 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 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 well
/ fare of the country; and II II should be
necessary that its SONS should SIN shed
| theirs, may it flow for its good, but never
| by treason. Long live Independence! Long
/ live Mexicov'
He then laid his hands on his breast.
1 and looked straight before him Five
| shots fred at short range pierced his
i body; each of them was mortal He fell,
| and as he still moved, the officer In charge