The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-01
'SANDOA|NGOS TYRBNI
Career and Character of the
Late Heureaux.
PEASANT TO PRESIDENT
One Who Did Great Good in a
Most Evil Way.
PEASANT TO PRESIDENT

an aSSaSS1n's hand last Thursday. Out o
a modern republic he had wrought me
dieval empire, and from the intrigues an
cruelties had fostered grew his own undo
ing. He was shot to death by the son o
man whom he had sent fifteen years be
fore to an untimely end. When Roman
| Casceres, at Moco, on Wednesday after
noon, fired the shots which ended Heur
eaux's life, he avenged not only the muir
der of his father, but that of scores o.
others who had been killed at the dicta
tors word Some with a faint show o.
legal trial, others by cold blooded and un
| disguised assassination. Throughout hi:
| career Heureaux showed a contempt fol
| human life which was scarcely matched
| in the days of the Huguenot struggle ir
France. He conquered his foes with knife
and bullet, ignoring modern diplomacy
and political intrigue for the surer meth
DDS of hired assassin or firing squad. o.
| tensibly the president of a republic, he
was. in fact, as absolute monarch as
ever wore a crown. and he held the life of
every citizen of his BEAUTIFUL island in his
hand.
Heureaux was unique in his generation.
OF unbending will, endowed with much in
telectual force, and possessed Of great
| courage. he strove honestly for the peo-
| pie of his fatherland, but with methods
which found their only counterpart in the
middle ages. In the less than fifty years
of his life, he rose from half bred peas
ant to the dictatorship of San Domingo,
and inthe thirteen years of his admins
tration he materially advanced the coun-
try in civilization, welding out of a mass
of half savage brigands an army of con-
siderable strength. and building up a f.
nancial system which brought prosperity
to his people. His people looked upon him
either with a devotion akin to idolitary,
or with horror and fear, for his vigorous
personality admitted of no lukewarm
sentiment. Whether they loved or hated
him. they obeyed him without question.
Thirty years ago, an ill-clad, half starv-
ed mulatto boy from the hills of the in
terror, he Joined as a private the so-called
army. 1t was a lawless, imDotent mob
when Private Heureaux found 1t, cont
trolled by corrupt politicians and incom-
petent generals. Despite withered arm,
wihc was almost useless, Heureaux devel-
oped into a good soldier, and soon rose
form the ranks OF an under officershic.
His genius for organization developed,
and by rapid promotions the young off,
Ger advanced until he became commander
in chief. Then came the turbulent days
of 1SS5-'S6, and in the disorder Of the time
Heureaux found his opportunity. With
his power as head OF the army, he forced
his election as president, and thenceforth,
IL 80
Of desperate attempts to displace him, he
firmly maintained his position.
His political career abounded in stirring
episodes. He established an elaborate Sc
cret service and throug 1t his life was
saved many times. Many of his spies
were women, and through them he was
also able, time and again, to crush 10
cipIent rebellions ana stamp out plots
against his life. He administered him
self "the high. the middle, and the
low" and the luckless plotter found in
him judge and Jury. When he deemed 1t
unwise to orde "a military execution. the
victim of his displeasure met his fate at
home or a dark street at the hands OF
on of the presidents secret agents.
The visitor to San Domingo, the capital
Of the republic. found evidence Of the ter
ror inspiring character Of Heureaux's rule
on every hand. From the moment of
landing, the footsteps OF the tourist were
logged night and day by detectives. The
residents were shy in their intercourse
with the strangers. and It was almost i'm
possible to secure from them expressions
of opinion many subject touching the
president or his policy. When it was pos
sible. however. to find a Dominican who
was willing to talk of the life of Heur-
eauX, the stories told had the flavor OF
old-time romance. One of the striking
Of the presidents personal cour-
age is to be found in the story Of his sup
preston of the Santiago" rebellion a few
years ago. Santiago is inland from the
famous SANTANA Bay, and at a distance
from the capital which made It possible
for the residents to foment trouble with
the possibility Of escaping immediate pun
ishment. Here a band of malcontents
from all parts Of the island gathered and |
soon succeeded in enlisting the sympa- |
thies of almost the entire population OF
the town. Encouraged by the fact that |
the terrible president was several days |
journey distant, the ringleaders finally be- |
camae bold enough to issue a manifesto |
declaring Heureaux n mcnstrous tyrant, |
and urging an uprising. Great posters |
were printed bearing thepicture Of a coffin 1
and calling on all patriots TO aid in Id |
ding the fatherlsnd Of its oppressor.
The government secret service soon ap- |
praised the president Of the affair. and in /
his usual picturesque manner he proceed |
ed with preparations for revenge. He or |
dered made, a rough black coffin. and nut /
ling It aboard his little armoured vacb, 4
ne took detail of soldiers and sailed /
around the coast for Santiago. Land nS
With thirty soldiers, he started on the 4
twenty-five mile horse back journey H.
land, and. arriving within few miles OF
n town, halted his company and spent the
night. Just before dawn, with two SOL
iiers bearing the coffin. he entered the
;ity, leaving the troop behind. The town
ougler was aroused, and. at the point Of
the bayonet, was compelled to sound the
alarm. which In Dominican cities. calls the
together. Half dressed and
heavy with sleep. the towns people rushed
TO the little palm shaded plaza. and there.
al alone under great tree. upon which
was nailed one II the revolutionary pos
ers, the president stood. his arms folded
across his uniformed breast. Terrified
he peaople huddled together. while Heu-
,eaux Gale dtO the bearers to bring the
eoffin and place It his side. As the
'apidly coming day reveale dthe faces O.
he people before aim, the president turn
ID TO the manifesto and read Il aloud.
Well he said. as ne paused AZ co,.