The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-20
A FAMOUS sWoRDsMAN.
Romantic Career of n Visitor to the
City of Mexico.

tfrO the MeNlCEn
celebrated parsonage in the history
OF Mexico has arrived in this city in the
person of Col Thomas II. Monastery. VINO
has figured in the principal events that
have taken place in this country since SIS
far back as 1859.
Colonel Monastery is an American by
birth, having been born in the city Of Bal
timore of Danish and Irish parents. He
bears the honor of being the champion
swordsman Of the continent. and wears a
medal awarded by the Mexican- Govern
ment on the list of March. 1868, for having
defeated the famous French captain, Pou-
pard, who was at that time instructor in
fencing and foiliag in the army of Mexico.
On the same day he won laurels by de-
feating all the champions Of the army
with sabres knives, knives against sa-
bres and bayonets. that at the time were
shining lights in the handling Of the above
weapons
Captain Monastery entertained General
Diaz at the Palmer House some sixteen
years ago in Chicago. the only visit paid
by the President of this Republic to III
United States, and when word came that
the colonel was in the city Herald
reporter called on MIN to get short ac-
count of his experiences
As above stated. he first came to Mex
leo in 1859, at that time having the COM
Melo. of the Liberal party. at variance
with the church faction. Engaged since
1855 in Guatemala and San Salvador in
the many ups and downs CT the stormy
events of those days. he crossed tbs
frontier to the State Of Chiapas with Gen
eral Melo, and was made commander of
the cavalry OF that State. About this
time the State was invaded and ravaged
by the Church party. under Gen. Juan or
tega, and on the LIST OF June, 1860, Melo
was taken prisoner and executed by Gen
eral Otega. Colonel Monastery escaping
over the border into Guatemala. The lat
ter returned Immediately afterward to
engage in fight for revenge and retri-
button, but was badly wounded by lance
thrust and sword cut. his horse being
killed under him. While lying bleeding
on the ground an attempt was made by
one of the other side to stab him to ath
but he warded the blow off with his righl
hand, which now bears the scar of the
knife cut received at the time.
Colonel Monastery Is eighty seven years
Of age. but does rot LOOK a day over fifty
and IS still wonderfully athletic, and, with
the exception OF slightly failing eyesight,
is just about as good swordsman as he
ever was. He is peculiarly modest about
his achievements. but when drawn out by
congtnial company can relate stories that
would form the basis Of volumes OF ro-
mantle history.
After the Chiapas affair he started from
the mouth of the Grijalva River in the
schooner Tallahassee intending to sail to
Vera Cruz and there join the Liberal par
ty of Mexico, but storms that could not be
successfully contended against drifted the
vessel off her course. and a landing was
made on the coast of Texas. Just about the
time the agitation was beginning over the
~
time some $40. 600 in gold, but all was ap-
propriated by the officials with the excep-
ton OF $500. under the then existing laws
relating to persons leaving Mexico without
the proper kind of papers, However. he
went on to New Orleans. but almost i'm
mediately drifted down to South America.
and from there, via Panama, to the port Of
Acapulco. where an attempt was made
to reach Mexico City to join the Liberal
forces, but the road was blocked by Gen
erals Cobos and Regara. all his horses cap
tured. and himself forced to abandon the
trip and go to San Francisco
He returned to Mexico about the time
General Diaz waf in PUebla and received
a high post undaF Juarez, serving in all
the events noted in the history of the
times until 1861 when he again sailed
from Vera Cruz for the States, being Wis
tied on board the vessel by the now Pres
ident DiaZ.
Colonel Monastery talks of the happen
ings in both Europe and America of the
'40s and '6Cs as fuently as we are used to
hear the rews of the last elections. He
was sword instructor in the Russian army
under Prince Constantine when only
twenty-three years of age, and served as
a soldier of fortune under five different
European flags before his advent into
Mexico. He has fifty-three personal en-
counters to his credit. the >aajority of
which took place in Russia and Germany.
The colonel speaks Spanish tluently. and.
in fact, nearly every other civilized Ian
guage. This is his first trip to Mexico in
over thirty years, and. of course. his COM
parisons between the times Of then and
now are wildly interesting.