Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-29
DIED AS SOLDIERS
Details of the Execution of
Cannon and Groee.
AMERICANS NOT TORTURED
Shot According to Military Law by
Zelaya's Orders.
PLEA FOR MERCY IN VAIN
Nicaraguan President Refused to
Listen to Advice Of His
Generals.
PLEA FOR MERCY IN VAIN

MANAGUA. Nicaragua. December -.
Recent reports that Groce and Cam
non, the American recruits in the insur-
gent army who were put to death at
the command of President Zelaya, were
tortured before being shot are untrue.
The facts were In the possession of the
State Department at Washington a
month ago. and 1t was generally sup
posed here that the details OF the trag-
edy had been given publicity through
official channels.
AS it is. advantage has been taken IL
the opportunity in some instances to
paint a picture that was more interest
ing than truthful.
The glory of Capt. Anibal Chaves,
who refused to obey the order to COM
mand the firing squad. is dimmed some
what by the light of known circum-
stances Gems. Toledo. Medina and Iras
mad Implored Zelaya to abandon his
purpose of shooting the Americans Ze-
laya, however. could not be Influenced,
and Gen. Toledo finally ordered Can:
Chaves not to assume command of the
squad. Chaves chose to obey Toledo
rather than the president, and as a
consequence was arrested and held in
JAIL for six weeks. Upon his release
Chaves made the most of the episode
IL is also untrue that a meeting OF peace
commissioners appointed by Madriz and
Estrada has been arranged for Saturday.
Groce Pleaded for Life.
Groce and Cannon were modified OF the
death sentence imposed upon them ar
1880 O'Clock on the night OF November
To- They were executed at 10 o'clock the
following morning. AS they were marched
out OF the fortress a drizzie Of rain fell.
On the way to the scene of execution
they passed the open graves that had
been prepared for them. At one time
Groce stepped out OF the line OF march
and pleaded with Gen Medina: do not
shoot me; am a brother Mason"
! cannon quickly seized his companion
ana pulling him back into line said:
brace up, old man. We have no
cnance under Zelaya's orders
Standing In the center OF the square
| formed by 500 soldiers the two men
heard their sentence read from the four
corners, together with the usual warninr
] in such cases: Amy one displaying eyi.
dence OF sympathy will be shot in q
similar fashion"
Shot at Close Range.
The hands of the condemned men wera
bound and their eyes blindfolded. Can
non shook his head. attempting to prevent
the bandage being placed over his face
/ out his protest was unavailing They
were seated on low bench, side by side
The firing squad was made up of twelve
soldiers, who advanced in three rows
within six feet OF their victims. Cant
Constantine Saenz was in command. and
| instructed two soldiers at the right To
fire upon Groce and two soldiers at the
| left to fH upon Cannon All four bullets
were effective. Groce was shot through
| the heart and death was instantaneous
| The bullets intended for Cannon tore the
breast and abdomen. He survived his
/ wounds a few seconds.
When the body of Groce was buried a
blanket hid the features, but the bofiy of
Cannon was buried without any protect
ing cover.