JOZEF JOHANNES FOURIE - Terechtstelling en Dood / Zijn Brieven

A large document detailing the letters written by Jopie Fourie the days before his execution. Wear to the edges and where is it folded. 

Jozef Johannes "Jopie" Fourie (27 August 1879 – 20 December 1914) was a Boer soldier. A scout and dispatch rider during the Second Boer War, he later took part in the Maritz Rebellion of 1914–1915 against General Louis Botha, the prime minister of South Africa. For his involvement, he was found guilty of treason and executed by firing squad.

After the rebellion was put down by Louis Botha and Jan Smuts, the ringleaders received fines and terms of imprisonment.

The only death sentence imposed was upon Jopie Fourie, who was court-martialled instead of being tried by a civilian court. An Afrikaner delegation that included future prime minister D. F. Malan unsuccessfully petitioned Minister of Defence, General Jan Smuts, to grant leniency. Fourie was executed without a blindfold by firing squad in the courtyard of Pretoria Central Prison on 20 December 1914. In a letter written hours before his execution, Fourie wrote, "The tree which has been planted and which is wetted with my blood will grow large and bear delightful fruit.