Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1914-06-20
FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO YESTERDAY

For many years, yesterday, the 10Th OF june, a a holiday in M,N-
leo, commemorative the execution OF MaNimlian, the Austrian prince
Miramon and MeJa. Even 10 I"rty-seven years after, the tragedy
OF Qucratcro is still fresh in the minds OF Mexicans, and it was cde-
rbated in many a rebel camp. where the late OF OF "tyrant" was re
called as prophetic to what will be melted ut to present an future
dictto1s.
1t was I o'clock OF that June morning forty-scvcn years ago yes
teday when the Emperor Ma<imlian was led from his cell in the little
prison at Oucrctaro. He was placed with his back to m adobe wall
and facing a firing squad OF Mexican soldiers fra'y and without "
tremor he looked the marhsmen sqmarely in the eyes. aim well, boys.
aim at my heart" he called out The officer in command raised ms
sword and uttered a word OF command, the rifles spoke, INC MaNr1r
lan's dream OF empire a ended. Miramon and MejIr, traitors to thi"r
country though they were. faced death as bravcy IS their chief.
\ qroau of horror went around the world when the news spread
that the Mexican "barbarians" had carried ut the sentence OF eNeru-
ton passed upon the Austrian archduke MI of the European powers
had joined in representations to the Mc>icAn government in the hope
moment it was believed that Ma<imIian would be spared. but all such
hopes failed to take into consideration the Mexican lust for vengeance.
When Maxim1ian, supported by the bayonets OF the French army
under Bazaine, had 1orded it at tharultcpec, he-or at least the officers
under him-had shown % mercy. Nearly all of the Jaurst generals
captured by the imperiaEss had been promptly shot, without v the
mockcry Of a trial. Mexican women and children had been outraged
and butchercd by the European army Of invasion. Maxniian. in his
day OF power, had granted ne mercy, and in his hour OF weakness he
could expect none. 1t is true that Ma~inilin had not approved OF
Bazaine's cruelty, but the acts OF "tc Butcher" had been performed
in his name, and the Me<icans, having suffered so much, could not be
expected to be in the mood for fine distinctions. Stern Mariana Esco-
bedo, who had captured Ma>imilan at Queratero, refused to listen to
any plea for mercy, and could be satisfied with nothing less than the
death OF the Austrian prince.
After the Frnch troops were withdrawn, and the Empress Carlota
had FASTENED to Europe in a vain attempt o secure assistance to bolster
up the lettering throne, Maxmihan established himself at Queratero.
There his forces we're in command OF Miguel Miramon a former presi-
dent who had allied himself with the imperaits, assisted by Thomas
Mcja, the Indian King of the Mountains" and General Lopez When
General Mariana Escobede besciged Oueratero, Lopez turned traitor
and betrayed the emperor. 1t ha, been alleged that Escobedo person
ally negotiated with Lopez, and that he made and broke a promise to
treat Macmillan as a prisoner of "a In any wen the emperor
with Mramon and Meja, we're tried by courtmartial convicted and
sentenced to death. The condemned men remained in prison from the
day OF their capture, May Is, 1867, until they wer led out to be shot
a little " a month later. Maximiian's body was turned W. to his
relatives, and his funeral "a celebrated with great pomp and ere
mony in the cathedral at Vienna.