Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-23
QUERETARO THE SCENE
Of STIRRING EVENTS
Was the Capital of Mexico Follow
ing American Invasion
in AZ.
Macmillan Executed There in June,
Forty Years Later-Now an
Important Center.
Macmillan Executed There in June,

JUAREZ. Mexico. May 23.-Queretaro.
capital of the state of that name. where
it is believed the final struggle of the pres
ent revolution in Mexico will center. al
ready has been the scene of many i'm
portant events in Mexican history. When
the American forces took Mexico City IN
1S47 the capital of Mexico was removed
to Queretaro by President Herrera.
1t was in Queretaro that Benito Juarez.
after strenuous career as minister OF
justice under President Alvarez and
President Ignacio Comonfort. during
which he fought vigorously the power of
the church and the military courts which
claimed exclusive Jurisdiction in cases
where soldiers or clerics were involved,
was recognized as constitutionalist presi-
dent January 10. 1853 Juarez's election
was accomplished by the liberal party
which had organized at Queretaro under
the constitution of 1857.
4 few days after the recognition by
the liberals Of Juarez as president, Felix
Zuloaga was proclaimed president by the
clerical party. In the war between the
two factions which followed and which
ended in 1861 with the complete victory
of Juarez an important battle was fought
at Queretaro.
In Maximillan'S Time.
Queretaro played a part in the life of
the Inflated Macmillan. After Maxi
milan had landed with the backing OF
French troops in 1864 Juarez was driven
to the north and established his tenn
porary capital in what now Is Ciudad
Juarez. From that point he conducted q
series Of brilliant military maneuvers,
which. In 1867, had given him town after
fnu in, he ND bod IL 1t
startling menace to the emperor in
Mexico City
In February of that year the French
troops furnished by Napoleon to support
Macmillan We're withdrawn from Mexico.
Hard pushed by the liberals under Juarez.
the imperialist generals united at Quere-
taro. Macmillan was called from Mexico
City. February IL. as he thought. to lead
campaign against the enemy. Instead.
he found, when he arrived at Queretaro,
he had entered closely heleaguered city.
Efforts to break the Gordon were I'M
availing. and the city was taken by the
liberals May 10.
Macmillan was imprisoned in the Ca
puchin convent. tried by court-martial
June IA. while he was suffering from an
acute attack of illness. and although not
present, he was sentenced to death.
Execution Of I1I-Fated Ruler.
: June 10 1900 men marched to the foot
of the hill of the Bells in the outskirts
of Queretaro. Macmillan and two of
his generals. Miramon and Mejia. were
led forth and taken to an adobe wall
erected as breastwork during the siege
of the city. 1t was behind this breast
work that Macmillan had been cap
tured The three prisoners embraced each
other. Maximilian distributed gold coins
to the men who composed the firing squad
which was to execute him. and said:
Il die in a just cause. the independence
and liberty of Mexico. l forgive all, and
pray all may forgive me. May my plooo
f,ow for the good of my adopted country.
Viva Mexico!"
An three men fell at the first IRE.