Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-02-13
The Indian Execution in Minnesota.

The execution Of the thirty eight Indians
condemned to death for participation in the
recent massacre Of whites in Minnesota,
took place at Alankato on the 26th Of Dec,
as already reported. A full and interesting
narrative of the circumstances attending
The tragedy is given in the St. Paul Press.
from which We make some extracts. showing
in what spirit the misguided savages expia-
ted their terrible crimes. The gallows was
a structure of "a feet square, Is feet high,
and so arranged as to afford room for hang
ing all the Indians When the sentence Of
death was formally read and interpreted to
the doomed red men, they received it very
coolly, some of them composedly smoking
their pipes. Nearly all the condemned
made confessions to their spiritual advisers
previous to execution. On the "Wednesday
previous, each Indian was permitted to send
for two or three of his friends among the
other condemned Indians. to bid them adieu,
and the scene is said to have been very af-
iecting. Each Indian had some word TO
send to his parents or fan lily. When speak
ing of their wives and children almost ev-
cry one was affected to tears. Good coun-
sci was sent TO their children. They were
in many cases exhorted TO an adoption of
Christia' iiy and life of good feeling to-
ward the whites. Most of them spoke con.
fdently of their hopes of salvation. They
had been constantly attended by several
-lergymen Who understot the Dacotah Ian
guase. Some of the Indians, however pre-
tended to disregard the dangers of their po-
sition and laughed and joked. The majori-
ty OF them were young men, but several
we're quite old and gray beaded. The
fatal day and at the execution are thus de-
scribed -
"The doomed ones wished it 10 be known
among their friends. and particularly their
wives aud children, how cheerful and hap
py they all had died, exhibiting no fear of
this event. To US it appeared not as an
evidence of Christian faith, but steadsast
adherence 10 their heathen supersli!ions.
They sliook hands with the officer who
came in among them bidding hem good bye.
as if they were going on long and pleas
ant journey. Th y had added some fresh
streaks of vermilion and ultramarine to
their countenances, as their fancy suggest
ed, evidently inten,liEg 10 fix themselves off
as gay as possible for the coming exhibi-
tion. They commenced singing their death
song, Ta-zoo leadi, g, and nearly all joining.
We had he er heard this song, and could
not now tell ii from the war song, but it
Was wonderfully exciting. Their irons
10y cords, their elbows being pinioned be-
hind and the wrists in front. but about six
inches apart. This operation occupied TIL
nine o'clock. In the meantime The scene /
was much -nlivened by their songs and con-
NctSd'ion hS'p pug 4 thc h'oo' ShcS''"' "P
pearancps. A they were being pinioned, !
they weit round the room shakirg hands |
with thu .oidiers and reporters biddina 'hem
:. GOOD bye" &c. After all were properly I
fastened, they stood up in a row around the !
room, and another exciting death song was /
SUM. They then sat down very quietly |
and commenced smoking again. Father I
Ratodx came in, AID after addressing them I
a few moments, knelt in prayer, reading /
from pray er book in the Dacoiah anguage. |
" icb p riion of the condt mned repeated |
alter HIM. During this ceremony neatly /
ali pad the most strict "iirnlion, and sew
eral we're affected even 10 tears. He then \
hem again.
Their caps we're then ut on their heads
These were made of mhite muslin taken
from the Indians when their camps were
and which had formed part of the
spoils they had taken from the murdered
traders. They received these evidences of
their near approach to death with evident
dislike. When il had been adjusted on one
or two. they looked around on the others
who had not yet received it with an appear
ance of shame. Chains and cords had not
moved them-iheir wear was not consd-
cred dishonorable = but this coverering
of the head with white cap was bu-
There was no more singing
and but little conversation and smoking
now. All sat around the room most of
them in a crouched position, awaiting their
doom, in silence, or listening to the remarks
,f father Rayoux. who still addressed them.