The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-01-14
TELLS OF EXECUTION
Or TWO AMERICANS
Managua Gives Details of the
Shooting of Groce and
Cannon.

MANAGUA, December 29.-Recent
reports that Groce and Cannon, the
American recruits in the 1nsurgent
army, who were put to death at the
command of President Zelaya, were
tortured before being shot, ere untrue.
The facts were in the possession of
the state department at Washington
month ago and it was generally sup
posed here that the details of the
tragedy had been given publicity
through official channels.
Groce and Cannon were notified of
the death sentence at 1890 O'Clock on
the night Of November 18th. They
| we're executed at 10 o'clock the follow
ing morning. AS they were marched
out of the fortress a driZzle 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 General
Medina: "Do not shoot me; l am a
brother Mason" he said.
Cannon quickly seized his companion
and pulling him back into line, said:
Brace up, old man. We have no
chance under Zelaya IS ORDERS
Standing in the center of the square
formed by 100 soldiers, the two men
heard their sentences read from the
four corners, together with the usual
warning in such cases:
"Any one displaying evidence of
sympathy will be shot in a similar
fashion,
The hands of the condemned men
were bound and their eyes blindfolded.
Cannon shook his head, attempting to
prevent the bandage being placed over
his face, but his protest was unavail-
ing. They were seated on low bench
side by side. The firing squad was
made up of twelve soldiers, who adj
vanced in three rows within six feet
of their victims. Captain Constantine
Saenz was in command and instructed
two soldiers at the right to fire upon
Groce and two soldiers at The left to
fire on Cannon.
All four bullets were effective. Groce
was shot through the heart, and death
was instantaneous. The bullets in.
tended for Cannon tore the breast and
abdomen. He survived his wounds a
few seconds. When the body of Groce
was buried a blanket hid his features,
but the body of Cannon was buried
without any protecting cover.
| MEXICO CITY, December Co.
Zelaya claims he never signed an
order for the execution of Cannon and
Groce. He made this assertion tonight,
but added that it was true he refused
to interfere with carrying out the
sentence of the court martial.
| In regard to il he said: "These men
were contracted for in Guatemala 10
assist the revolutionists. Cannon only
recently had been set at liberty in
| Honduras upon his promise made be.
fore the secretary OF the American
legation In Tegneigalpa and the Amer.
lean consul 10 leave Central America
forever, Both officials acted as bis
| sponsors.
"The men were engaged at the time
of their capture In eharting the eoun,
Try aud laying mines In the rivers for
the destruction Of the tfoopships Of the
government, They also acted as spies.
They were tried by court martial, ae.
eordinR 20 law ana found guilty. /
approved the hndinRs absolutely ln the
Interests IT military discipline.
/" The stories u torture afe absurd.
The men we're not even held ine0m'
ulunleado, ne i customary, bat Were
allowed 20 uFe telephone aAA telegraph
iinna % commandments Yiih their
fnenas ! have a mY possession State.
meplF ffam 10th mfn Ia which they
mol auiY admitted Their guilt eaia
pififli bui asked fnf pafdans ana
| eitaHa ~ inha suHlHlfsinns ailA Tie
aekfIsmeal fQ0es =