The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1898-07-07
A SOUTH AMERICAN
! HEROINE 5: The Part Don. |.
: ing Colombia from SPANS Tyrannicsl Rule


IT was in the year 1911 that Inc Sou'h
American provinces Of New Grenada
and Venezuela, weary of the eXacting
domination of Spain, united under the
name of Colombia, proclaimed them
selves an Independent republic, and I'M
der the leadership of Bolivar gained
their freedom, after a long and bloody
conflict.
In 1914 the liberal army met with re-
verses, and its brave commander was
forced TO retire from the country. For
awhile he sought the protection OF San
to Domingo; from which island, in 1871
he returned to Venezuela, at the head
Of a large force he had collected about
him there; and from this period, till
the termination Of the struggle, in 1871
he remained at the head of a victorious
army and resigned his position when
his services were no longer required.
During the exile of Bolivar, in Santo
Domingo, he was continually informed
Of the state of his native country, by
trusty messengers, dispatched by his
friends at home. Every important
movement of the Spanish troops, every
measure of the royalsts, and all their
plans were known to him.
1t is well known that while the war
of independence was waging, much
blood was shed; and the progress Of the
royalist army was marked with dcsola-
ton and massacre. Wherever the
liberals and their sympathizers were
found. the hahgman's rope and the gar
rote made short work with them; and
no mercy was shown to the unfortunate
individual on whom suspicious CHANGED
to fall.
Among the patriots who, at this peri
cd, incurred the suspicion of SamanO,
the viceroy and commander of the Span
ish forces, was the unfortunate Senior
tia Apolinaria Salabarriata, better
known, in the history of those times, as
DOna La Pola.
This young lady, member Of one of
the best families of Bogota, who was
distinguished for extraordinary beauty
of person, and many accomplishments,
had early taken a deep interest in the
cause Of the liberals; and, like Nine.
Roland. the Girondist Of the French
resolution, had made her house the Sc
cret meeting-place Of the prominent
liberals in Bogota. She was also in di-
rect correspondence with Bolivar; and,
by means of a faithful servant, kept tie
commanding general posted in r,gard
TO everything OF interest in the army
of the enemy.
Her beauty, wit and musical talents
made her society cOurted by all parties;
and on certdin evenings, her saloons
were opened for tertulias, or social gath
erings, al which the Spanish officers
were always welcomed. They listened
with pleasure to her brilliant converse
ton, and artistic performance upon the
harp, accompanied by her exquisite
voice; and, unsuspicious of her motives,
freely communicated 10 her all that
they knew with regard to the intention
of the leader of the royal troops.
As If in the course of ordinary con-
versation, Dona Apolinaria would In
guire abort their absent companions
in-arms and The destinations Of the va
riouS regiments and divisions of the
Spanish army, ard in this way possessed
herself of much valuable information,
which She immediately forwarded by
her messenger 10 the commander-in-
chief of the patriots, who, profiting by
the knowledge, was enabled to act sue
cessfully against these detached por-
tions of the royal forces.
At length, however, suspicion Of the
young lady's intentions were aroused,
and spies were placed about her person.
The information the Spanish general OBJ
tanned by these means led TO the arrest
of the young man employed by her, and
packet of papers was found upon him
which implicated her. In fact, the mes
senger, when threatened with TIE ter
rors of torture, confessed that he had
long been in the employ of Senorita
Salabarriata, and had frequently passed |
between the capital and the camp of the
liberals.
Of course the young lady was imme-
diately taken under arrest, and, after |
hasty examination before a military tri- |
bunal, was pronounced guilty as a spy |
and an enemy of the royal cause, and |
condemned TO suffer death at the gar
rote.
AT this time Senorita Apoliraria was
under en engagement of marriage with
q young man Of rank, who, although
not the least evidence Of completely of
knowledge even of her proceeding, was
adduced against him, was condemned
TO be executed with her.
Twelve hours only were given the low
ers to prepare for death; and even this
shcrt time would not have been permit
ted had not the tyrant, Samano. con-
sidered 1t of the greatest Importance TO
discover, IL possible, the real accom-