Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-01-08
How the Indian Murderers were Hung
at st. Paul.

How the Indian Sfurderers were Hung
at st. Paul.
The St. Paul papers bring full particulars
of the harging of the condemned Indians
at that place last Friday. They were all
dropped off from single gallows. A
large concourse of ,people was present.
We annex the following particulars:
THE PROCESSION TO THE GALLows-THE FL
NAL soBNE-THE LAST DEATH SONG.
At precisely 10 o'clock the condemned
were marshaled in procession, and head.
ed by Capt. Redfeld, marched out into the
street, and directly across through files of
soldiers to the scafold which had been
erected in front, and were delivered to the
officer of the day, Capt. Burt. They went
eagerly and cheerfully, even crowding and
justling each other to be ahead, just like a
lot of hungry boarders rushing to dinner
in hotel. The soldiers who were ion
guard in their quarters stacked arms and
| followed them, and they in turn were fol.
Owed by the CT ryy, reporters. &c.
As they commenced the ascent of the
scaffold, the death song was again started.
ana when they had all got up, the noise
| they made was truly hideous. 1t seemed
as if pandemonium had broken loose. l.
had wonderful effect in keeping up their
courage. One young fellow, who had been
given a cigar by one of the reporters, Just
before marching from their quarters, was
smoking it On the stand, putting away
very cody during the intervals of the
hideous "Ri yi-yi," Hi-yi-yi," and even
after the cop was drawn over his face. he
managed to get it up over his mouth and
smoke. Another was smoking his pipe
The moose having been promptly adjusted
over the necks of each, by Captain Libby,
all was ready for the fatal signal.
AN ODD AND DISGUSTING INCIDENT.
The solemnity of the scene was here
disturbed by an incident which, if it were
not intensely disgusting, might be cited as
remarkable evidence Of the contempt of
death which is the traditional character.
istic of the Indian. One of the Indians,
whose name we did not ascertain, in the
rhapsody of his death-song conceived an
insult to the spectators which it REQUIRED
an Indian to conceive and dirty dog of
an Indian to execute.
The refrain of his song was to the
effect, that if body was found near New
Ulm with his head cut off and placed in a
certain indicate part Of the body, " 1t is
me-" he sung, "it is me,"-and suited the
action to the word by an indecent expo
sure OF his person, in hideous mockery of
the triumph of that justice whose sword
YVES already falling on his head. This
monstrous exhibition, at such moment,
may at least be regarded as just penalty
for the morbid curiosity which drew so
many women from their homes to mingle
in the mass of spectators at the foot of
the gallows.
THE AWFUL FINALE.
The scene at this juncture was one of
awful interest. A painful and bres thless
suspense held the vast crowd which had
assembled from all quarters to witness the
execution.
Three slow, measured and distinct beats
on the drum by Major Brown, who had
been announced as signal officer, and the
rope was cut by Mr.. Duly-the scatfold
fell, and thirty seven lifeless bodies were
left dangling between heave and earth.
One of the ropes was broken, and the
body of Rafting Runner fell to the ground.
The neck had probably been broken, as
but little signs Of life were observed, but
he was immediately hung up again. While
the signal beat was being given, numbers
were seen to clasp the hands of their
neighbors, which in several instances con.
tinued to be clasped till the bodies were
cut down.
AS the platform fell, there was one, not
loud, but prolonged cheer from the sol
diery and citizens who were spectators
and then all were quiet and earnest wit.
nesses of the scene. For so many, there
was but little suffering, sthe necks of all
or nearly all, were evidently disIocated by
the fall, and the after struggling was slight
The scaffold fell at quarter past ter
O'Clock, and in twenty minutes the bodies
had all been examined by Surgeons Ii
Boutillier, Sheardown, Finch, Clark and
others, and life pronounced extinct
The War in kentucky.-The Third MGR.
| gan Raid.-Morgan's Impudent Sell OF
Jerry Boyle.
Louisville, Dec. 30.-Morgan reached {
point on the railroad this side of Num-
louisville, on Friday morning. His ope