Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1886 — HOW BRAVE MEN DIE. [ARTICLE]

HOW BRAVE MEN DIE.

Story of the Execution of Leaders of tho Expedition Against Honduras. V; • [New Orleans special.! .The Times-Democrat publishes an account by an eye-witness or the execution of Gen. E. Delgado, Lieut. Col. Indalecio Garcia, Commander Miguel Cortez, alid Lieut. Gabriel Loyan, who were shot at Comayagua for leading an expedition against Honduras. The lour officers above named were lodged in a small prison at Comayagua when the news of their sentence reached them. Gen. Delgado’s wife was there to plead with a wife’s tears and a woman's devotion for her husband’s life. It was the desire of President Bogran to spare Gen. Delgado’s lite if possible, and any pretext would haVe been readily seized upon to give an opportunity of saving him aud at the same time Vindicate the tribunal which bad condemned him. The President sent a messenger, to him to say that if he would promise never again to take up arms against Honduras he should receive a pardon. Tbe soldier was too brave to accept even his life on these terms, and he sent back word that he would sea Honduras in an even more tropical climate than she now enjoyed before he would accept his pardon on such a pledge. When Lis answer was received, there was nothing left but to prepare for the execution. In (he countries south of this there ara few preliminaries to such not uncommon events. A priest, a firing squad, nnd a coffin are soon obtained. On the morning of their exeention-the men were taken to a point near the church of Comayagua. Four coffins were plaoed near the wall and the four condemned men were led to them. They accepted their positions as easily and as gracefully as if they were in the boxes at the opera, and not a face was blanched, not a nerve quivered. Gen. Delgado asked' and received permission to order the guard to fire, which he did, first requesting them not to shoot him in the face but in the breast. There was no rattle, no spattering reports, but one sharp,’ stunning report. The four men for half a second remained in an upright position, as if still unhurt, and then rolled over limp and bloody, dead. The soldiers had complied with Gen. Delgado’s request, for three balls had penetrated his breast.