Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-24
IDLE WITH CURSES
UPON THEIR LIPS
FOR AMERICANS
Mexican Cattle Thieves Face
Firing Squad for Murder
Of Bert Akers.
BROTHERS MEET DEATH
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
With Bravery Undaunted, Their
Bodies Crumple Up at
First Volley.
MERCY SHOTS END SUFFERING
Remains Of Confessed Slayer Are
Exhibited to AlIay All Doubts
Of Execution.
BROTHERS MEET DEATH
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
MERCY SHOTS END SUFFERING

RI. PASo. TEN. January ga
/ Bernardo and FREDERICK Duran. the
Mexican cattle thieves. condemned to
die by the Carranza authorities for the
killing of Bert Akcrs ut San Lorenzo
n few miles below tho international
boundary. on Friday, were executed at
daylight in the cemetery at Juarea to-
day. The body of Akcrs was inferred
here late to-day
With curses upon their lips against
the American people the two young
Observation-Disclosures shot to
death by n Carranza firing squad. They
went to their death standing shoulder
to shoulder against the whitewas shed
adobe wall OF the cemetery They
faced the firing squad with undaunted
bravery. refusing to bc blindfolded. and
fell together at the first Hollcy.
Almost their last words was this
challenge, flung at the small group of
American newspaper men and friends
Of the murdered Akers:
Watch ana see how Mexicans die
you Americans" The only plea OF
any sort was made by Bernardo Duran
the elder brother. few minutes be
| fore the end.
WANT WORLD TO KNOW
OF THEIR SACRIFICE
Standing beside the cemetery gate,
he said. in his own tongue to cor
respondent-thc only American who
| talked TO the prisoners:
we are dying for you Americans.
Tell the world that. I shot the Ameri-
can because he was trying to force en-
trance to my home | was defending
my rights. as any man would have done
| hnr To- -,
He didn't hrc n shot. but they are
going 10 kill him. too. Tell mo- Is
that Justice? He is being sacrificed to
| your American public opinion. We are
not afraid to die, but why should an
/ innocent man be killed: lie is only
twenty-five years old. | am twenty
fur. Some day we will be avenged"
While the elder talked the younger
brother stood beside him. hands
pocketed and lips quivering slightly,
but saying nothing. The prisoners
were bound together by ropes
| The Juarez cemetery is mile and
half from the Jail where the con-
demned men spent their last night.
! The morning air was cold but they
wore no coats when they emerged AT
$3.50 A. NJ. from the prison and took
their place between six silent guards
and set out. afoot. for the place OF
death. Beside the firing squad rode it's
comma ndcr. Captain Alfredo ortiz.
With heads bent. the brothers strobe
| along, talking softly to each other.
Their guards. mutfled in Gaudy -colorcd
blankets, shufled beside them. Once
or twice the elder brothers arm
went caressingly over the younger's
shoulder. and no whispered a word of
comfort
ROAD TO CEMETERY
GLOOMY EVEN BY DAY
The road to the cemetery is gloomy
one. even by day. 1t leads over a plain
dotted with sickly mesquite and cactus.
The last haif-milc before the cemetery
gate the road straightens out. and the
white crosses are visible long before
the gate is reached.
Neglect has made the huryinS ground
even more dcsolatc than usual The
crosses stand awry over many graves.
Few are erect. Standing thus, al
grotesquc angles. they make weird
shadows on the weed covered turf ana
marble slabs.
slowly tho little procession ap-
preached the gate. which stands at the
crest Of gentle rise. Through that
gate have gone hundreds of prisoners
sentenced TO death. most OF them war
captircs. The americans waiting at
the entrance invoiuntarily shrank back
as the prisoners and their guards ar
rived ut the gate, which was swung
open hy the deaf old sexton, who has
guarded IL for years. It is of iron. and
II crcaked upon it's hinges as il opened
HALT" said Captain Ortiz when the
squad chad advanced about ton feet
within the cemetery. The gate was
closed, and the spectators leaned over
il. Then newspaper representative
WAS permitted to enter and Interview
the prisoners. The order to advance
once more was given, ard the little
group marched toward tho death
house" In the center OF the graveyard
100 yards away.
The white walls Of this ouc-room hut
shone in the moonlight. The gate was
opened TO admit the witnesses. who
crowded close to the cxccutioncrs.
PRISONERS TAKE STAND
AGAINST DEATH HOUSE
!, MAS nearly daylight now. the
moon. hanging low in the west. struck
full upon the west wall OF the death
house" against which the prisoners
took their stand All anout them we're
tho wooden crosses OF the dead rwcn-
" feet in front OF them stood Ave sol
diers with rifles ready.
II was O'Clock The church bell
tol,cd in FL raso and rcvcrberatcd over
the plains. Family then. hut clear,
can.o tho sound OF sevciilc bugics In the
camps Of American regiments along thu
border ami 1T For, Bliss. Suddenly the
dawn broke.
Captain ortiz advanced and placed a
soilcd handkerchief over the youhger