Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/370

364 an army follower, was hung in the main plaza for the accidental murder of another teamster, named William Hampton. The quarrel and shooting occurred on the last march of Gen. Lane's forces from Vera Cruz. It seems, from what I can learn, that Mr. Leonard had several quarrels with a wagon-master named Mr. Boulet, and the day after the battle of Huamantla he (Leonard) shot at Boulet, hitting him in the arm—which afterwards had to be amputated—and the same shot hit and killed Mr. Hampton.

He walked up on the scaffold with a firm step, and evinced no fear to die. He made a rambling speech, and wound up by saying that he didn't regret dying, that his sentence was a just one, that he was sorry that he did not kill Mr. Boulet in place of poor Mr. William Hampton, that he had fully prepared himself to meet his God, and was now ready to die. The priest then handed him the crucifix; he embraced and kissed it, after which the priest left the scaffold, and then the solemn moment having arrived, the drop gave way, down went poor Michael Leonard, swinging between heaven and earth, until he was pronounced dead, and then lowered and carted away on some lot for burial.

Mr. Leonard hailed from Texas, and I have been informed that his profession was that of gambler and follower of the United States army. He has at last met his match, and, as the saying is, he has been most unmercifully euchred.

During the execution the plaza was crowded with greasers and blanket gentlemen, watching the proceeding and the manœuvring of the prisoner, and it was really laughable to see those who came too late to see the execution. Those that were there had to show and explain to those who did not see it how it worked, and motioning with their hands how it was done. They never had seen any person hung before, as the Mexican punishment for a crime like the above is to shoot the murderer on some lot, and I think it is more appropriate for the penalty. The Mexicans look upon the hanging of a person as barbaro and blasfemamentce (barbarous and blasphemous), in mocking Christ crucified, and call us paganos (heathen).