An incident of the present insurrection against the Spanish Government in Cuba is shown in one of our Illustrations. It is the execution of two prisoners in the city of Havannah on the 9th ult. These unfortunate men were named Leon and Medina; they were employed in a large tobacco factory outside the walls of the city. In this factory were deposited a large number of arms, awaiting their removal to the camp of the insurgents. Information reached the Government, and the police were at once directed to seize them. This was resisted, and a serious affray ensued; the police fired upon the crowd, shots were returned, and three of the police were killed. Leon and Medina were arrested, on a charge of aiding the insurrection by secreting arms and resisting their seizure. They were tried, convicted, and condemned to suffer death by strangulation with the garrote. The scene of execution was opposite the north side of the prison, situate on the Punta, which is the furthermost part of the city. The scaffold, with its peculiar instrument of death, was there erected. The procession was composed, in order, first, of the drummers; next, an attendant of the Church bearing a cross; then, two priests, followed by another attendant, carrying a black flag with a cross in its centre; and, lastly, the condemned and executioner, on each side of whom was a file of Spanish volunteers with fixed bayonets. The building in the rear of one of the lines forming the square is the city prison, in which are confined over 300 political prisoners. Two officers with a company of volunteers were charged to keep order during the execution. The guards first conducted Leon to the scaffold, accompanied by two Roman Catholic priests and the executioner. From the platform he addressed the numerous spectators. Our correspondent, being quite near to him, was able to hear his last words. Lifting his manacled arms, he exclaimed, "I desire forgiveness from all those I have offended, and I wish that instead of a requiem being said for the soul of Leon, who is going to glory, one be said for the independence of my poor oppressed country, Cuba. Death to Spanish rule, and long live Cuba, free and independent! Long live Cespedes and Aguilera, the liberators of our down-trodden people! " The excitement produced by this short address is indescribable. He was frequently interrupted by the Spanish volunteers shouting out to the executioner to kill him, and then came a volley of pistol-shots from the tops of the houses. A general rush and fierce conflict ensued, during which eight Cubans were shot and bayoneted by the Spanish volunteers; but six of the volunteers were also shot. The tumult was at length suppressed, with a great deal of bloodshed; and the next to suffer the penalty of the law was Medina. He stepped on the platform as bravely as did Leon, and attempted, in like manner, to address the crowd, but was immediately thrust into the chair and dispatched in one moment by the fatal machine. It is so contrived as to squeeze the throat in front and break the spine at the back of the neck, being furnished with a hinged latch, which passes beneath the chin, while the head is thrust forward from behind and the neck broken by the slightest turn of a screw. The prisoner Medina showed no sign of fear, his dying prayer being for the independence of Cuba. Never did two men meet death with more genuine love of country and bravery which was not bravado.
Source: The Illustrated London News, Vol. LIV, Supplement May 15, 1869, p.502