Goodby Notes of the Medical Students of 1871


Alvarez de la Campa y Gamba, Alonso (age 16):

My beloved mother, sisters and goddaughter. I write this to ask you to forgive me for
all the wrong things I have done to you and to my sisters. I am sending to you my watch.
In the dresser in my room there is a gold pendant that I want you to given to my older
sister. I want you to take back your ring as a last remembrance. Of the two watches, one for
father, and the one you gave me you take for you... give my chain to my sister María.
I love you deeply and send you my last goodby.
Your son that will see you in heaven

Alonso

Bermúdez y González de la Piñera, Anacleto (age 20):

My beloved parents, brothers and sisters: Today, in the last moments of my life I want
to say goodby to you and I wish you to soon find consolation. Take care of my Lola and
let her keep my ring and ask my brother to give Lola my chain. Give me your blessing and
don;t forget my request.
Anacleto

Lola, remember me

your Anacleto

González y Toledo, Eladio (age 20):

Cerra: [a friend]
Get my handkerchief from Domínguez as a token of friendship and give him this one that
I am including. See if my body can be recovered.

Eladio

Laborde y Perera, Angel (age 17):

Mother, father, Luis, Victoria, family, Donata, my brothers and sisters:
Goodby. I die innocent. I have given confession.

Angelito

de Marcos Medina, José (age 20):

My very beloved parents: Today is the last day of my life, and I die innocent. See if
you can save me, and if not, please come see me because this will be the last time that
we will see each other. I have given my watch, my chain and money to a Captain. The
Consejo has the cufflinks and the button. Tell Elena Bellido that I die thinking of her.
Goodby, until death, forever.

Pepe

To my grandmother a hug and a kiss; also for Cecilia, Eduardo, Felipa and Natividad. Write
to Benito and tell him goodby in my name.
Mother: Goodby forever from your son who loves you deeply

Pepe

Elena: I think of you and I have to cry seeing that I die innocent. Goodby forever.

Pepe

Rodríguez y Pérez, Juan Pascual (age 21):

Dear father: The priest who heard my last confession will give you my watch and chain,
a wallet, a ring and a key to a dresser. Open the middle drawer and you will find a smaller
key that opens a lower drawer. In there you will find a group of letters from Tula. Please
give them all back to her. Everything else of mine please distribute among mother and my
brothers and sisters.
Father: I die in peace, trusting that God will receive my soul because I am innocent. God is just
and as such He will let me have resignation.
Tula: Console yourself and have the necessary resignation as I have it. I did not think that I
would be involved in this because you know that I have always been a methodical man. God
has allowed this to happen and His decisions are inscrutable. Lets adore Him and we will see
each other there. I have always loved you and I love you now.

Pascualito

de la Torre y Madrigal, Carlos Augusto (age 20):

His letter was not preserved for history.

Verdugo y Martínez, Carlos (age 17):

His family did not receive any letter.

Translations by Margarita García

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