Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-02-24
Execution of John Omic.


Execution of John Omic.
In April, 1912, Chippeway Indian by
the name of John Omic, or John the son of
Omic, together with an Indian called Sc
mo, killed two white men at Pipe Greek,
near Sanduskys Semo killed himself soon
after he was taken, aud John being arraign-
ed and indicted before the Supreme Court
for Cuyahoga county in May, 1912, was
convicted and sentenced to be hung on the
oath of June. The gallows stood on the
Public Square, on the north side, not far
from Ontario street. The Hon. ELISHA
WHTTLEsEY was present, and has given an
account of what took place in a letter da-
ted Dec. 23d, 1859. He writes:
81 was present at the execution, and as
distinctly recolect the facts | shall narrate,
as did the night of the day they occurred.
[ was not at the trial, but understood that
Peter Hitchcock was assigned as counsel for
the accused. The custody of the prisoner
was assigned to Lorenzo Garter (there be-
ing no jaiD because be was man of un-
common energy, and because he had more
influence over the Indians than any other
man in the West, or at least in Cuyahoga
county. Mr.. Carter's house was on the high
ground near the bank, to the right of the
road that descended the hill to the ferry
across the river, and to the left of the street
that leads to where the Light House stands.
The prisoner was confined in chamber of
Mr.. Carriers house. Strong irons were above
his ankles, with which was connected a
staple that was driven into ioist that sup
ported the floor, so that the prisoner could
not 90 to any window. Probably l should
have said with more accuracy, that chain
was attached to the fetters, and a staple
was attached to the other end, which was
driven into the joist, &c. After his convic-
ton, Omic told Mr.. Carter and Sheriff
Baldwin, (who was from Danbury,) that he
would let the pale faces see how an Indian
could die; that they need not tie his arms,
but that when the time came he would
jump off from the gallows.
Before Mr.. Carriers house, in the direction
Of Superior street, was an open space some-
what extensive, and covered with grass
The religious exercises were held there. Se-
veral clergymen were present, and l think
the sermon was delivered by the Rev. Mr..
Darrow of Vienna, Trumbull county. The
military were commanded by Major Jones,
a fine looking officer in full uniform, but he
was in the condition that Captain McGuffy,
of Coitsville, said he was in when he was
commanded to perform an evolution by his
company and could not do it. His xpan-
alton was, 81 know Baron Steuben perfectly
well, but l cannot commit him to practice.
Omic sat on his coffin in a wagon painted
for the occasion. He was fine looking
young Indian, and watched every thing that
occurred with much anxiety. The gallows
was erected on the Public Square in front
of where the old Court House was erected.
After the religious services were over, Mai.
Jones endeavored to form hollow square,
so that the prisoner should be guarded on
all sides. He rode backwards and forwards
with drawn sword, epaulets, and scabbard
flying, but he did not know what order to
give. The wagon with Omic moved ahead
and stopped; but as the Sheriff doubted
whether he was to be aided by the military
he proceeded onward. Major Jones FINALLY
took the suggestion of some one who told
him to ride to the head of the line and
double it round until the front and rear o.
the line met. Arriving at the gallows
Mr. Garter, the Sheriff and Omic ascendeC
the platform by ladder. The arms o.
the prisoner we're loosely pinioned. A ropC
was round his neck with loope in the end
Another was let down through hole il
the top piece, on which was hook to attacf
to the rope round the neck. The rope will
the hook was brought over to one of thu
posts and fastened to it near the ground.
After some little time Mr. Carter camt
down leaving Omic and Sheriff Baldwin OF
the platform AS the Sheriff drew dowr
the cap Omic was the most terrified being
rational or irrational, ever saw, and seiz
ing the cap with his right hand, which hi
could reach by bending his head and inclin
ing his neck in that direction, he stepped t.
one of the posts and put his arm around il
The Sheriff approached him to loose biz
) hold, and for a moment it was doubtful
whether Omic would not throw him to tho
ground. Mr.. Garter assembled to the plat
form and negotiation in regular diploma
tic style was had. 1t was in the native
tongue as l understood at the time. Mr.
Garter appealed to Omic to display hi
courage, narrating what he had said abou
showing the pale faces how an Indian coulC
die, but it had no effect Finally Omi'
made proposition, that il Mr.. Carter woulC
give him half pint of whiskey no would
consent to die. The whiskey was soon OF
hand, in large glass tumbler, real ole