San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-23

signs of fear or even grief. He re-
manned silent. except for a few NUT
tered words of comfort to his mother.
Susano, the brother. broke down com
pletely and sobbed on the shoulder of
Deputy Sheriff Subira.
my God, isn't there any way 10
save him." the sobbing man cried out
TO the deputy.
Men Bow Heads as Family Pass.
He had gone TO the first floor to
arrange with the undertaken for his
mother and him to accompany the
body Of Apolinar to their humble
home, but so great was his grief that
this task was delegated to one of the
deputies.
Shortly before II o'clock, Apolinar's
relatives were informed that they
must leave him and repair to the sec
ond floor, there to await the bringing
out Of the body. As they filed out of
the cell and down the iron steps.
heart rending walls broke upon the
hushed silence. Men removed their
hats and bowed their heads as the
grief stricken family departed.
"0h Maria Madre."
Following the departure of his
mother and brother, Apolinar held a
last conversation with his spiritual ad :
visers. stating that he was grateful to
the Jail authorities, the sheriff and his
deputies and to all others for the kind
ness shown him while he was confined
in Jail. He expressed contrition for
the crime he had committed, expressed
forgiveness for all people and prayed
that his sins might be forgiven him.
He then knelt and prayed devoutly
'Oh Maria Madse, Maria" Mass was
then said in the death cell.
At 10 40 Sheriff Tobin and Deputy
Sheriff John Subira entered the cell.
Sheriff Tobin armed with the death
warrant. Apolinar sat quietly on his
bed, one hand nervously clasping his
knee as Sheriff TObin read the fatal
document. Suddenly the monotonous
reading Of the warrant was broken by
walls from the prisoners on the floor
below and then the strains Of Nearer
Ny God to Thee" floated upward. 1t
was the prisoners singing for the death
march.
Death March Begins.
At 1850 the reading Of the death
warrant was concluded and Sheriff
TObin spoke to the condemned man,
telling him that he had but few mo-
ments to live, and that he might now
talk to his spiritual advisers and make
his peace with God. A few moments
OF prayer followed, Apolinar his lips
barely moving, repeating it. At II :01
Apolinar knelt to receive the last bless.
ing, carefully placing q newspaper on
the bare floor OF the cell in order that
he might not soil his new suit.
This concluded, Deputy Subira
shook hands with him, expressing his
sympathy and that of Sheriff Tobin
He spoke in Spanish. Apolinar Draw
ly replied, assuring the deputy that h,
felt no i'll will toward them for tht
task which they were about to per
form. A murdered "adios" ended thu
conversation. Then the death marcl
} began.
Says His Last Prayer.
ApOlinar marched bravely to tn,
scaffold, followed by the priests anC
Sheriff TObin. The sheriff and hi
deputy adjusted the moose when Faith
err Crane began the last prayer, Apoli
mar, standing upright and starin;
straight ahead, repeating it after him
The trap was sprung and the noosI
strangled the condemned mans las
prayer.
Those close enough to the tral
Shrunk away in horror when the bloot
spurted from the mans neck as tn
: rope frightened. Prisoners and specta
tors on the second floor also turne,
their eyes, sickened. Three wOmel
who had secured points Of vantage 0,
the first floor, had turned away wheI
the body plunged through the stee
door.
Screams Heard for Blocks.
| On the first floor below, in the jai
office, the mother, brother and othe
y relatives Of Apolinar kent up a pitifr