Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-06-22
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10.
The United SnteS Court for this District, djoured ON
Saturday afternoon last On Friday morning commenced
rahn-kah, two Indians of the Winebago tribe on an
Indictment for the murder Of John Bloenburgh and Gle
ent Auey Riggs, two soldiers OF the United States
toned at Fort Armstrong Rock Island in the Mssis-
'iPE ha
mem, was soldier by the name OF Jacob Hough who
testified that on the morning of the 2Ist dey March
1920 Boenburgb and Riggs OF the fort for the
purpose OF procuring timber for rainrods that consder
BILE alarm excited by their nonappearancc the roll
eau AT noon, and much more by their absence in the
ming. The witness, with Andrew Feeling another soldier
was sent out carly next morning in search Of the missing
from the fort found their bodies They were shot scalp
ed and one OF them (blocnbugh) had been in the
To fix the guilt the prisoners, an Indian oF the same
tribe, named Jerce1h, was next called. lie stated,
through interpreters TINT he prisoners near
1ort ARMSTRONG when two men were killed. that when
they discovered these soldiers about one half or
rah and Who-rah5jin-kah crept up within eight ten
yards and red they then up the soldiers scalpcd
and he believes struck one ofthem with an axe.
The ably argued TO the Jury by William L. d.
wng Esq Tor the prisoners, and Col Ledyenworth for
the prosecution.
retired from the BAR and, after absence of
half an hour, returned with verdict of Guilty
On Saturday the prisoners brought the bar, and
received the following That they should he
closely and safely confined prison in this District
until the 18th day OF July next; which day,
the hours OF O'clock A. NJ. and O'clock p NJ. they
should be akcnto place execution and respec
lively hung by the neck until they dead.
These unfortunate Indians brought down from fort
Armstrong, last fall by Col Leavenworti la:e comnan-
dan of that post and delivered the civil authority at
Edwardsvlo and from that place aerred To the
Believille Jail At that time they were hearty robust
men-nowthey are hardly able 10 stand or move. So
great the difference in their present former an
pearance that Col Leavenworth considered 1t his duty 10
inquire into the This done in the presence of
Henry Conner Esq Marshall Of this District Major Bid
die OF NE army and number of the respectable ci-
of this town.
Upon being nterrogated the indians complained very
much their treatment while az Belevie they stated
that during the last Indictment winter they had fire
that no bedding Of any description had been furnished
them; and that thew had been cd
hard floor, with only their blankets for covering Ac-
oording TO their account they generally received for
OF the size OF small biscuit and half that quantity of
meat and at one time far three days and nights received
neuher food nor unter.Do call ourselves Christian
nation Do we boast of humanity-our Justice ?
where these men in the custody of American people
sons differ from those Of the Spanish Inquon our
selves from those nations which are pleased 20 call
barbarous and unciSzed Should we be weighed in the
balance We are fearful in this instance OF humanity we
should be found wanting
For the honor Of country for the honor of human
nature we trust this statement is exaggerated and for the
honor of ST. Clair county, hope some inquiry will be
made upon this proceeding.
After Judge Pope had pronounced sentence upon Che
prisoners Cah-rahmahre aged chief who with FIVE of
his tribe bad attended, forward addressed the
Court in substance follows.
Faiher~-I came down from nv nation TO this place 10
attend the trial Of cha-rah and who.ral kah
You are an American Father-T claim 10 be an AncTi
can also When give my hand TO you give IL TO our
Great Father Che Presidency and call the Great Shirt 10
witness the sincerity of my desire that peace may exist
anongstus but have not the power in my nation
rs YOU, Father, have your children here poininp
20 the multitudeO which great sorrowyVeT.
ever Chahinahrcc is there shall always be clear sy
no clouds n disturb peace When came down here
had hoped TO find that Che-ws-cha-rah and Who-raI-
-kab had been better treated but heart is oppressed
at the cruelty they have received did hope that itv
would be found for them, and that mercy would be
ton.
6yJaiher-I came here 20 sec Justice but find none
Cha-rah-marec is honest-he speaks what he thnks-he
shakes you for the last time by the hand