The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-11-15
An Indian Execution.


The Clinton County (Mich.) Expres
publishes the following, and youches TO
its authenticity. 1t is certainly curl
Gus history:
In different parts Of central Michigan
there are two tribes of Indians, the Otta
was and Chippewas. They are friendIy J
to each other, and during the hunting
season, frequently encamp near each 9th
er. In the Fall of 1858, party of one
tribe built their cabins on the banks oi
Maple river, and party of the other
tribe, about eighty in number, encamped
In what is now the town of Dallas. 1t is
unnecessary to speak Of their life in these
camps-sufEce it to say that the days
were spent in hunting, and the nights in
drinking "fre. water" and carousing. In
one of the revels at the camp on Maple
river, an Indian, maddenei by liquor,
killed his squaw, and to conceal the deed
threw her body upon the fire.
Recovering from the stupor of the rev.
el, he saw the signs of his guilt before
him, and fearing the wrath of bis tribe,
he fed towards the other encampment.
His absence was noticed-the charred
rem aims Of the poor squaw were found,
and the cry for blood was raised. The
avengers were soon upon his track-they
pursued him to the encampment of their
neighbors-he was found, apprehended,
and in solemn council doomed to the death
which, in the stern old Indian code, l re-
served for those only who shed the blood
OF their kin. 1t was a slow, torturing,
cruel death. A hatchet was put in the
victims hands, ho was led to large log
that was hollow, and made to assist in
fixing it for his coffin. This was done by
cutting into it some distance on the top,
in two places about the length of man
apart; then slabbing of, and digging the
hollow until larger, so as to admit his bo-
dy. This done, he was taken back and
tied fast to a tree. Then they smoked
and drank of the sire water and when
evening came, they kindled large fires
around him, at some distance of, but so
that they would shine full upon him. And
now commenced the orgieS-they drank
to intoxication- they danced and sang in
their wild Indian mauner, chanting the
dirge of the recreant brave. The arrow
was fitted to the bow string, and ever and
anon with its shrill twang it sent a mis-
sile into the quiveriDg flesh of the homi.
eide; and to highten bis misery they cut
of his ears and nose.
Alternately drinking, dancing, beating
their rude drums and shooting their ar
rows into the victim, the night passed.
The next day was spent in sleeping and
eating, the victim, meanwhile still bound
to the tree. What his reflections were we
Of course cannot tell, but he bore his pun
lshment as warrior should.
When night was closed around it bro't
his executioners to their work again.
The scene of the first night was re-enact-
ed, and SO it was the next night, and the
next, and the next, and SO on for week.
Seven long and weary days did he stand
there tortured with the most cruel torture,
before his proud head dropped upon his
breast, and his spirit left its clayey tene-
ment for the hunting grounds of the Great
Spirit. And when it did they took the
body, wrapped it in a new clean blanket,
and placed it in the long coffin be had
helped to hollow.
They put his hunting knife by his side
that be might have something to defend
himself on the way, his whiskey bottle
that he might cheer his spirits with a
iraught now and then, his tobacco and
pipe, that he might smoke. Then they
put on the cover, drove down stakes each
side of the log, and filled up between them
with logs and bush. The murdered squaw
was avenged. The camp was brokeu up,
and the old stiffness and quiet once more
reigned over the forest spot where was
'onsummated this signal act of retribu-
two justice.
Our informant has visited the spot Of
ZEN since then; tho log is still there with
It's cover on; and beneath may still be
seen the skeleton of the victim.
Let no Che-mo- ke- mum call this q deed
of barbarity. 1t was an act of simple
Justice: there was double murder it is
rue; but the paleface who sold the fire.
water that craEed the poor victim and
caused him to shed the blood Of his squaw
las them to answer for in the day of final
-econing.