HE LIKE A SOLDIER FELL.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 3, Issue 143, 28 August 1895, Page 4

HE LIKE A SOLDIER FELL.

TIIE LAW OF LIFE FOB LIFE. The sentence of death passed upon Captain Clavigo for shooting General Primo do Rivera was not confirmed until a late hour on the sth of June at Madrid, and consequently the sentence was not carried into effect until that day. At two o'clock in the morning the prisoner was awakened in his cell, and tho sentence and confirmation were read to him. He received the fatal news without emotion, but complained of not being allowed to enjoy his night's sleep. He then wrote endorsing tho sentence of death, slowly and with a firm hand. He showed no remorse for his crime, but wrote a touching letter of farewell to his parents, and a pathetic note to his sweetheart, returning her at the same time the letters she had sent him. Tho prisoner asked the latest news of General Rivera, find expressed a hope that he would recover. Tho prisoner was taken at five o'clock to the chapel whore he heard mass and confessed. Captain Clavigo, with the gaolers, emerged from tho prison gates at a quarter past seven o'clock. A number of priests walked with him and partly surrounded him. He was perfectly calm, maintaining his usual demeanour and showing no pallor at the preparations for his death. He silently saluted tho crowd in military fashion, and then entered the vehicle in waiting to convey him to San Isidore. At San Isidore tho prisoner sprang lightly from the carriage and was placed on the spot selected for tho execution. He then turned and saluted the priests in attendance—members of the brotherhood of Peace and Charity—embraced those who had been more closely ia attendance upon him and one of them veiled the prisoner's eyes with a handkerchief. Clavigo then stood up to meet his doom, wearing the same arrogant expression which had distinguished him since his arrest, and exhibiting not tho slightest sign of fear. Standing alone and waiting for the signal of death, firm and erect, Clavigo's soldierly appearance won for him much sympathy amongst the onlookers. At the word "Eire" a volley rang out and Clavigo fou with three bullets in the head. He still moved and another bullet was fired under his chin. Life still appeared, to remain, and another bullet was fired into his heart, when all was still. The troops on the ground were marched past the corpse as they left the square. Tho crowd was large and a horrified groan burst forth when, for the third time, the firing party was ordered to shoot at the prostrate officer.