The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1907-06-26
DRAGGED TO DEATH
Was Priest Who Forbade
Lovers Bans.
tARIAT THROWN ABOUT NECK
Awful Penalty Imposed by a
Young Man Cheated
of His Bride.

Zacatecas, Mexico, June 20.-Fath.
er Louis de Stefano, an Italian priest
OF the little town of Zarco, this State
has just paid the penalty of interior.
ing with the proposed marriage OF
two young people of his parish with
death Of the most tragic kind. The
POpoca and Bustamante families are
among the wealthiest and most prom
inent in the State. Some of the rich
est and best producing mines in this
part of Mexico belong 10 them. Their
vast land estates are situated ada
cent to each other. Paulina Popoca
and Flacro Bustamante learned to
love each other in childhood 1t was
A constant and sincere affection that
r1Ffnsd as they grew older. Bustam-
antse embr aoed the Protestant relig-
ioUs faith when he reached manhood,
but Miss Popoca continued a Catho-
lie The fact that her devoted lover
Was q Protestant did not arouse the
objections of the girls parents to the
proposed nniOn. They both recently
returned from the United States.
where they were educated at the best
schools of that country. The prepa-
rations for the wedding went forward
with no thought that there could be
any hitch in thee program
Several days ago Miss Popoca visit
ed the parish church for the purpose
Of making final confession before the
wedding took place, as is the Gus
tom here Her father confessor was
the priest StefanO. She remained
several hours at the confessional, and
when she returned to her home it was
with broken spirit. She told her
parents that the padre had told her
that in even entertaining the thought
OF marrying a Protestant she was
placing her soul in jeopardy, and that |
shonld she actually allow herself to |
be drawn into the marriage, her flu /
lure would be utterly damned A |
cpuference of the members of the two !
FAM lies was held and an effort made !
&c renove the firm resolve that Miss !
Pppoca had made to break the en- !
gauement on account of the priests |
warnings. She remained firm in her |
resolve that the marriage should not |
take place,
Rnstamante left the dead body .
gnnce without word. The lines
around his month frightened, and, with
seG face, he walked out of the room
and mounted his horse. He was on
his way to his home when he met .
Father Stefano, who was also riding
a Nurse. Bustamante's lariat was
gathered in coil around the POM
r.3el 81 his saddle. He unloosened it,
and riding straight toward the priest,
ae. threw the rope with deXterous
hands, the coil settling over the head .
OF the astonished man. The moose
was quickly frightened around the neck
OF Father Stefano, and, putting spurs .
70 his horse, he dragged Father Stef- .
a11o from his saddle and along the
rough road for several miles until
tie last spark Of life had left his /
body.
Bustamantee left thee dead body I
king in the road and rode off into the
mountains. The horrible crime was
soon discovered-in fact, a number of
Mexican laborers are said to have
seen its preparation A force of ru-
Fa1es was sent in pursuit of Bustam-
arlie, but up to this time he has
eFaded capture. 1t is reported that
he has joined band OF desperate out
laws in the mountains, and that he
has announced his intention Of follow
ing the life of a brigand.
the terrible tragedy and the events
which preceded it have created a stir
throughout a large portion of this
STATE. The prominence and wealth
CT the families involved add to the
-.