Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-10-27
AuIndian Execution la Michigan.

lie Clinton Go. Erprcss Publishes the follow.
ing and ynuches for lis authenticity.
In different parts Of Central Michigan there
are two tribes OF Indians, the Oitagas and Chip
pewas. They friendly Ia caeh Other, aud
during fhp hunting Seasons. frequently encamp
near each other the fall Of I-53 party Of
on tribe built their eahiu- on the banks Of Ma
ple River. and a party of the other iribs. about
eighty in number, encamppd in what Is now the
town Of Dallas. 1t is unnecessary 10 speak ot
their life in these camps. saflice IT Ia say that
the DAYS were spent in hunting, and the nights
IN drinking fire water and cafousng. In one
If the reyeIs nj TIE camp on Maple River. an ln-
dian maddened by liquor, killed his squaw. and
10 conceal the deed, threw her body upon the
fire.
Recovering from the stupor Of The reyel, he
saw that the signs of hisguilt were still before
him. and fearing the wrath of his tribe. he He'd
toward the other encampment.
His absence was mott. ed-the charred remains
of the poor squaw were found, and the cry for
blood wa, raised. The avengers were soon mp
on Iii track they, pursued him II The encamp-
meat of their neghbors-he was found, npPrc-
bended aud in solemn council dooned 10 the
death which ia the stern old Indian code is re
served for those only who shed the blood of their
kin 1t was slow, torturing, cruel death. A
Ratchet was put in the victims hands, he was led
In a large log that was hollow, and made to
,i,t in fl Ning for his coffin. This was done by
emitting into it come distance on the top. in two
places about the length of n man apart.then slab
bing off and d gging the hollow still larger, so
as to admit the body This done. he was taken
back and tied fast to a tree. Then they smoked
and drank of the fire water and when evening
came. they kindled large fires around him Aud
now commenced the orgies-'hey drank into in
ioxication-they danced and sung in their wild
Indian manner, chanting the dirge Of the rccrc-
ant brave. The arrow was fitted to the ready
bow firing and ever and anon with its shr wang
il sent II missile into the quiverng flesh # the
homicide, aud to hrighten his misery they eat
of his ear, and nose.
Alternately drinking dancing beating their
rude drums ana shooting arrows into the victim,
the night passed.
The next day was spent in sleeping aud eating
the victim meanwhile still bound to the tree
What his reflections were irc of course cannot
tell, bat lie bore his punishment as warrior
should.
When night closed around it brought his exc
cntioners t. their work again. The scene of the
first night re-enacted, and so it was the next
night, and the next and the next, and 50 on for
week Seven long and weary days did he stand
there. tortured with the most crnel torture, be-
fore his proud head dropped upon hi, breast, and
his spirit lett it clayey tenement for the hunting
grounds Of the Great Spirit. And when it did
they took the body, wrapped it in new clean
blanket md placed it in the log coffin h. lad help
cd ~ hollow. They put his hunting knife by
his side that he might have something to defend
himself on the way. his whisky bottle that he
might cheer his spirits witha draucht now and
then. and his tobacco pipe that he might smoke
Then they put oa the cover, drove down stakes
each -e of the log, and filed up between them
with logs and brush. The murdered squaw was
avenged. The camp was broken up. and the old
stiffness nnd quiet once more regned over the
forest spot where con>ammated this signal
act Of retributiye Justice.