The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-21

established BY the treaty OF July 4. 1858.
II came to this city to replace Mr.. Cush-
ing, a Very prominent lawyer OF this coun-
try.w no was sent By the United States
Government 20 Geneva on the Alabama
Claims Commission. For ten months
remained here and during that time Mr..
Mariscal was Minister. II was before
Senior Romero had been appointed to this
mission.
From here went to San Francisco as
Mexican Consul. remaining there for two
years. until $50 1 was elected 10 the Senate
in Mexico. Ny duties as Senator contin-
ued until November. 1876. when General
Diaz routed the then established Govern
ment and established new Government
I then retired 70 private life.
Did know the Princess Salm-Salm you
ask Well, Of course, at that time, Yes
you may say I knew her because OF her
efforts in behalf Of MaximilIisn. But she
mad never an official connection with the
court before which Nzximillian was tried
and condemned"
Senior AspiroZ's military career was
short and brilliant. In 1852 when Score
tary Of the State College Of Puebla- he was
appointed a second lieutenant OF artillery
Of the patriot army by General Ignacio
Saragoza- He participated in the hostiI-
ties with credit and was decorated by the
Mexican Congress. He was promoted
70 a captaincy. sustained the seige OF the
French for time. but PuebIa was finally
taken. He escaped from the improvised
prison over the house tops, and had so
distinguished himself al this seige that he
was by law exempt from taxation for the
remainder Of his life. For three years
he fought in thu battle OF Arceachio was
again captured but released. In 1857 be-
cause OF his ability. legal knowledge and
patriotism he was assigned as judge-ad-
vocate of one Of the most important milf
tary tribunals ever convened.
The trial OF Macmillan. which Senior
Apiroz describes, was perhaps the most
dramatic court martial in all history
San Luis Potosi. the little mud-walled
city where it was held. took on a holiday
aspect for the event. The trial was held
in the Theatre Iturbide. the largest audi
forum in the place.
insurgent generals and the noted civilians
boxes. The body of the hall was packed
with as an excited Mexican audience as
ever gathered TO see a bull fight.
Senior Aspiroz, acted as prosecuting at
torney for the newly risen Mexican Re-
public He was a young man then. and
he presented the case against the captured
monarch with fiery, almos; ferocious. elo-
quence.
Then came upon the stage some OF Mexi-
cos formost lawyers to defend Maximil-
ian.
The court merely listened IN sunen con-
tempt.
The verdict OF the court came quick and
decisive. It was Guilty" and the SEN
tence was death.
Eve days later. the 18th OF June. was
set for his execution.
Weak and incapable as Macmillan had
been as a ruler he rose 10 greatness as
death approached. When the soldier en-
tered his cell with the death warrant, he
priest who had come to console the DOM |
ed man was himself overcome, while the
Emperor's valet fell 10 his knees and sob !
bed.
Macmillan had refused the means OF
escape ore' ed TO HIN h the German
Prince Salm-Salm and his plucky Arlcri-
can wife. the Princess Salm-Salm. who
returnde to this country only last week
When Macmillan was broug 1t before
the file Of scldiers who Were 10 shoot
him and his two generals, Miramon and
Mejia, his final plea to the officer in charge
was that they might be spared and he
aione suffer the death penalty.
The only answer was q voley and the !
three fell together.
Ferdinand Macmillan Joseph. who FOR /
three years had been Emperor of Mexico. /
was but thirty-five years old at the time /
Of his death
AS Archduke OF Austria and Viceroy Of 1
Venice he had laid aside those honors to
take up the empty title OF Emperor Of a
barbaric nation He went to Mexico IN
but urged by Napoleon III. Of
France. This a part OF the latteTs
scheme to set up a monarchy in Mexico
that would be friendly 10 France.
French soldiers had prepared the way
by capturing the City Of Mexico ard the
central provinces. Macmillan on his ar
rival became puppet ruler under French
protection.
When the failure OF Napoleon's 2iG- was
foregeen the French troops were with
drawn. in February, 1857. Maximilian's
DION, uss certain from that time