Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-10-20
GOES
TO HIS DEATH
NOTED SPANISH EDUCATOR AND
REFoRMER EXECUTED IN
BARCELONA.
KING ALFONSO IGNORES pAueH.
TER'S APPEAL FOR
cLEMENCY.

Barcelona, Oct. Professor Fran
cisco Ferrer. the Spanish educator and
convicted revolutionist, was shot yes
terday.
| Tue execution was done at the fort
ress OF Montjuich. where the prisoner
had been confined since his condem-
nation by eourt-martial.
The doomed man faced the firing
uad without hinching and fell dead
at the frs volley.
Meets Death Calmly.
Ferrer, except for a momentary ex.
preston Of emotion Immediately pre-
ceding his death, retained his com
| posture to the last. His attorney. NJ.
Galceran, who had defended the pris-
oner so Loyalty as to bring about his
| own arrest for improperly addressing
the court, had secured permission Tor
brief talk with tn , revolutionst be-
fore the latter was led to his death.
To his attorney Ferrer spoke feel
ingly OF the work for which he had
sacrificed his life and of the future
Of his daughter, whose brave attempt
W saw AAG AA1 A1A1lGd Au6 ldluET
more deeply, apparently, than any
other incident of his trial and convic-
lion.
Daughters Appeal Is Vain.
On Ferrer's arrest his family was
lsft dependent upon this daughter,
who at once secured employment in a
biscuit factory,
When 1t was known that her father
had been sentenced TO death the
daughter made personal appeal to
King Alfonso, calling upon him In the
name Of his known generosity and
chivalry to spare her fathers tie.
When these facts were related by
Galceran, Ferrer broke down. 1t was
but passing emotion and presently
the undaunted revolutlonist was HIM
sell again.
Ferrer declined to receive the last
sacraments and turned away from
the two priests Of the Order of Peace
and Charity, who had been sent by
the prison authorities to offer him the
final consolation of the church
Walks Calmly to His Death.
When the hour of his execution ar
rived he walked brayely through the
prison yard 10 the ditch in the shadow
OF the eneireling wall Without a
culver he faced the twelve infanTy.
men who, at the word of command,
fred simultaneously. When the re-
port of the yolley had died away Fer
rer lay dead upon the ground.
Previous to the execution precau
lions had been taken to forestall a
possible attempt at rescue by doub
ling the sentinels upon the walls of
the fortress,
Many Appeals for ciemency.
The decree Of the courtmartial was
carried out IN the face of protests
from sympathzers not only In Spain
but IN parts Of France aud Italy. At
Paris and Rome the protests were
voiced IN mass meetings by workmen
Of eocialistic tendencies. In these
capitals attacks were attempted upon
the Spanish embassies which, how
ever. were protected by police and
soldiers. Many petitions for clemen-
cy were addressed 10 King Alfonso
who also was threatened with death
should he not spare Ferrers life.
Ferrors attorney declared that Ferrer
did not have fair trial. as the wit
pesses were not examined in open
court but only had their depos!uons
read
inspired Barcelona Revolt.
Ferrer was formerly director of
the Modern school OF Barcelona, and
was repeatedly accused OF teaching
revolutionary doctrines In 1906 he
was arrested. charged with completely
with Manuel Morales In the attempt
upon the life Of King Alfonso on the
day Of the royal marriage. On trial
Ferrer was acquitted ON September
last he was arrested, charged with
having melted the riotlng which &C"
cured III Barcelona last summer. This
outbreak, which spread through the
Catalonlan provinces. was in the ma
ture OF a protest against the sending
OF Spanish troops against the Moors
on the Riff coast and for a time as
snmed alarming proportions II was
alleged that Ferrer was a principal 10
the uprising. At his trial, documents
were submitted which are alleged to
have related to revolutionary move
mepts and to have included the proc
/ ,,,oatiao Of Spanish republic.