The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-09-11
EXECUTION OF MAxIMILIAN.
ao ReesRvoA HIs Sentence Cn1mav -
Met Death Ike a Haro.


sentence was read to the condemned
who were told that il would be car
ried into effect at 8 o'clock on the
same afternoon.
Maximilian received the intelIi.
gence calmly and devoted the fol.
lowing 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 General
Miramon's chamber, where the con-
demnei 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 DIR. Basch he said,
You will tell my mother that did
my duty as a soldier and died like a
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 a 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 amorg the friends of
the doomed men. These hopes, it is
said by those closest to him at that
time, were not shared by Maxinil-
ian. He continued his preparations
with the same calm dignity that had
not once forsaken him, but he sent
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 o'clock |
Padre Soria came and once more |
gave him the last sacrament. An
altar had been erected for this pur-
pose in niche formed by passage
way to his cell. This religious duty
having been performed, he gave in
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
called his companions in
death. Three hac'-s had been pro-
vided for the condemned. The prince
the FIST with the priest, and,
by the soldiery, the mourn
ful procession moved through a
1ense crowd to the place of execu-
ton.
On arriving at the Cerro de las
Campanas, where month before he
lad made his last stand, the fallen
emperor looked about him for a
friendly face, and, finding only his
the Hungarian Tudos, he
asked, ''Is no one else here2" It is
'aid, however, that Baron Magnus,
he Prussian minister, and Consul
Bahnsen were present, although out
If sight.
The good priest weakened under
he ordeal. He felt faint, and the
prince held his own smelling bottle
o his nose.
Followed by Generals Miramon
md Mejia, Maximilian walked to-
ward the open square, where an
dobe wall had been erected, against
which they were expected to stand.
About to take his position in the
middle, Macmillan stopped and,
urning to General Miramon, said:
A brave soldier should be honored
ven in his last hour. Permit me to
i've you the place of honor" And
le made way for him.
An officer and seven men had been
etailed to do the deadly work. The
rince gave each of the soldiers a
iece of gold, asking them to aim
arefully at his heart, and, taking
# his hat, he said: "Mexicans, may
ny blood be the last to be spilled for
he welfare of the country, and if it
hould be necessary that its sons
hould still shed theirs may it flow
Or its good, but never by treason
'ong live independence Long live
IexicoI'
He then laid his hands ON his
reast and looked straight before
i'm. Five shots fired at short range
lerced his body Each of them was