Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-08-15
CAPT. ERY's LAST LETTER.
Loving Words to His wife just Befo,
His Execution.

Loving Words to His Wife just Before
His Execution.
Bristol, Tenn, dispatch in st. Louis
Globe-Democrat: The fate of Cap-
tain Joseph Fry, who went on a filibus-
tering expedition into Cuban waters as
captain of the Inflated Virginius, in
the fall of 1878. was recalled here this
week. when Benjamin l.. Dulaney
found among quantity of books
which he had gathered from various
parts Of the country to form a part
OF his library, Captain Fry's farewell
letter to his wife, written Immediately
preceding the captains execution by
the Spanish. The letter, written with
pencil, Is on piece of thin, unruled
paper, now bit faded With age, and
appears to be the original letter, rather
than copy. Just how it came to be
among the books where it was found
may never be explained, but MIR. Du-
laney feels quite sure that 1t is the or
iginal letter, just as Captain Fry wrote
1t, when the shadow of death was upon
him.
In view of the outcome of the late
war with Spain and of the further ac-
quaintance of Americans with Spanish
character, 1t will doubtless be of gen
eral interest to read the circumstances
of Captain Fry's execution, and how
calmly and courageously he met death,
according to his own statement of the
case only a few hours in advance of
the end.
Following is his farewell letter to
his wife. word for word. as taken from
what is believed to be the originals
On Board the Spanish Man of War
La Tornado. Santiago de Cuba, Nov. 8,
1S73.-Dear, dear Dita: When left you
had no idea we would ever meet
again in this world. but 1T seems
strange to me that ] should tonight,
and on Annie's birthday, be calmly
seated on a beautiful moonlight night,
in q most beautiful bay in Cuba, to
take my last leave of you. my own
dear, sweet wife! and with the thoughts
of your bitter anguish. my only regret
at leaving.
II have been tried today. and the
president of the court-martial asked
the favor Of embracing me at parting.
and clasped me to his heart. l have
shaken hands with each of my Judges,
and the secretary of the court and in
terpreter have promised me as a spe-
cial favor to attend my execution,
which will. l am told be within few
hours after my sentence is pronounced,
II am told my death will be painless;
in short, l have had very cheerful
and pleasing chat about my funeral,
to which 1 shall so q few hours from
now, how soon. cannot say yet. 1t is
curious to see how l make friends. Poor
Bambetta pronounced me a gentleman,
and he was the brightest and bravest
creature i ever saw.
The priest who gave me communion
on board this morning put double
scapula around my neck, and medal
which he intends to wear himself. A
bright, new silk -, with the Blessed
Virgin stamped upon it, to wear to my
execution for him. and handsome
cross in some fair lady's handwork.
They are to be kept as relics of me.
He embraced me affectionately in his
room with tears in his eyes.
Dear sweetheart, you will be able
to bear 1t for my sake, for i will be
with you IL God permits. ! feel shall
always be with you right soon, dear
Dita, and you will not be afraid of me.
Pray for me and will pray for YOU
There Is to be q fearful sacrifice of
life from the Virginius. and, as l think,
needless one, as the poor people are
unconscious of mine, and even of their
fate up to now. l hope God will for
give me If I am to blame for it,
IL SOu MIllS W EIGSluellI SfTdHC, lie
will probably order my pay, due when
resigned. paid to you after my death.
People will be kinder to you now, dear
Dita, at least hope so. Do not dread
death when 1t comes to you. 1t will be
Gods angel of rest-remember this !
hope my children will forget their
fathers harshness and remember his
love and anxiety for them. May they
practice regularly their religion and
nI.ov For him, a1wovc
Tell the last act of my life will
be public confession of my faith, and
hope in him of whom we need not be
ashamed; and it is not honest to with
hold that public acknowledgement
from any false modesty or timidity
May God bless and save us all.
Sweet, dear, dear Dita, we will soon
meet again. Till then. adieu for the
last time. Your devoted husband.
Joseph Fry