The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-02

tnem, ana as those at the mead OF the pro.
cession came out of the basement, at the
opposite side of the gallows, and directly
in front, we heard sort of death-wail
sounded, which was Immediately caught
up by all the CONDEMNED, and was
chaunted in unison until the scafold
was reached. At the foot of the
steps there was no delay. Capt. Redfield
mounted the drop, at the head, and the
Indians crowded after him, as if it were
race to see which would get up first. They
actually crowded on each others heels,
and as they got to the top, each took his
position, without any assistance from those
who were detailed for that purpose They
still kept up mournful wall, and OCCASION
ally there would be piercing scream. The
ropes were soon arranged around their
necks, not the least resistance being Of
tered. One or two, feeling the moose UNI
comfortably tight, attempted to loosen it,
and, although their hands were tied, they
partially succeeded. The movement, how
ever, was noticed by the assistants, and
the cords re-arranged. The white caps,
which had been placed on the top of their
heads, were now drawn down over their
faces, shutting out forever the light of day
from their eyes. Then ensued scene that
can hardly be described, and which can
never be forgotten. All joined in shout
ing and singing, as it appeared to those
who were ignorant of the language. The
tones seemed somewhat discordant. and
yet there was harmony in it. Save
the moment of cutting the rope, it was
the most thrilling moment of the awful
scene. And it was not their voices alone.
Their bodies swayed to and fro, and their
every limb seemed to be keeping time.
The drop trembled and shook as if all were
dancing The most touching scene on the
drop was their attempts to grasp eacl, 9TH
er's hands, fettered as they were. They
were very close to each other, and manv
succeeded. Three or four in row were
hand in hand, and all hands swayine up
and down with the rise and fall of their
voices One old man reached out each
side, but could not grasp hand. His
struggles were piteous, and affected many
beholders.
We were informed by those who under
stand the language, that their singing and
shouting was only to sustain each other
that there was nothing defiant in their last
moments, and that no "death song" strict
" speaking was chanted on the gallows.
Each one shouted his own name, and called
on the name of his friend, saying in sub
stance, ''I'm here. I'm here"
THE EXECUTION.
Captain Burt hastily scanned all the ar
engagements for the execution, and notion
ed to Major Brown, the signal officer, that
all was ready. There was one tap of the
drum, almost drowned by the voices of the
lndians-another, and the stays of the
drop were knocked away, the'rope cut, and,
with crash, down came the drop. One
rope broke, but not until the neck of the
victim was dislOcated,/ whose body came
down on the drop with a heavy Mud, and
a crash of the boards. There was no struc
Cling by any of the Indians for the space
of half minute-the only movements
were the natural vibrations occasioned by
the fall.
In the meantime, new rope was placed
around the neck of the one who fell, and,
it having been thrown over the beam, he
was soon hanging with the others. After
the lapse of minute, several drew up
their legs once or twice, and there was
some movement of the arms. One Indian,
at the expiration of ten minutes, breathed,
but the rope was better adjusted, and life
was soon extinct. 1t is unnecessary to
speak of the awful sight of thirty eight hui
man beings suspended in the air. Imagi-
nation will readily supply what we refrain
from describing
REMOVING THE BODIES
After the bodies had hung for about half
an hour, the physicians Of the several rygi.
ments present examined the bodies and re:
ported that life was extinct. Soon. otter
several United States muletealas appesred,:
when the bodies were taken down and
dumped into the wagons without much
ceremony, and were carried down to the
sand bar in front of the city, and were all
buried in the same hole. The half-breeds
were buried in one corner of the hole, so
that they can be disinterred by their friends.
MILITARY.
The military force for the day was dis
posed as follows: Col. Wilkin of the 9th
regiment, took command of all the troops
of the 9th and 9th regiments, and formed
them in line of battle at 81 O'Clock, in
front Of the scaftOld. and river front