The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-01-13
Execution Of 81 Indian
Murderers. sahA..a
incidents and scenes in Prison.
The Awful Spectacle at the callows.

The Awful Spectacle at the Callows.
The St. Paul Daily Press Of Dec. 30th
contains full list of the 3S Sioux murderors
who were hung at Mankato on the 26tb,
together with record of their crimes, as
given by tbe Military Commission, aud the
death warrant signed by President Linccln.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION.
Immediately upon the receipt Of the order
postponing the time Of the execution from the
10Th to Friday, the 26th instant, the military
authorities at Mankato commenced making
the requisite preparations for the exccution.-
Grounds were selected upon which to erect
the gallows on the level opposite the present
Indian quarters. The gallcws lie "a feet
square with posts Is feet between joints, and
is so arranged as to afford room for the hang.
ing of ten Indians on each sile. 1t might
have been larger had the President been less
squeamis, and even then justicc would have
been defrauded of its dues. .
COL. MILLER's ADDRESS TO THE cULPRrrs--
TIE DEATH WARRANT READ.
On the afternoon of the day of the renewal
Of the condemned prisoners to different room
from Their companions, Col. Miller, accompa-
nel by his interpreter, other officers and few
citizens proceeded to the new prison and an
nounced the decision of tie President. Ad
dressing the Interpreter, Rev. Mr.. Riggs, he
said.
"Tell these thirty nine condemned men that
the commanding officer of this place has called
to speak to thcm upon a very serious subject
this asteri con. .oG
Their great father at Washington, after
carefully reading with what tho witnesses tes
lied to in their several trials, h s como TO
the conclusion that they have each been gull
ty Of wantorly and wikeGly numbering his
white children. Aud for this reason he has
directed that they each will lie hanged by the
neck until they are dead, Oh next Friday and
that order will be carried into effect on that
day, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. n
That good minister are here--both Cslho-
lie and Protestant--from amongst whom each
onc can select spiritual adviser, who will be
permitted to commune with them constantly
during the four days that they are yet to lve
That will now cause to be read the letter
Of their Great Father at Washington, first IN
English, and then in their own language.
(TLe Presidents order was here then ready
Say to them now that they have SO sinned
against their fellow men that there is no hope
for clemoncy except in the mercy of God,
through the merits of the blessed Redeemer !;
and that l earnestly exhort them to apply to
that as their only remaining source of comfort
and conclusion.
h,, st H. IL hot
this scene would be peculiarly solemn an dis.
tressing to the doomed savages. To all ap-
pcarances, however, II was 40. so. The pIis.
oners received their sentence very cody. At
the close Of the first paragraph they gave the
usual grunt Of approval; but as the second
was being interpreted to them, they evidently
discovered The drift OF the matter, and their
approval was less general and with but little
upction. Several Indians smoked their pipes
composedly during the reading. They were
evidently prepared for the visit and the an.
nouncoment Of their sentence---one or two
having overheard soldiers talking about it
when they were removed to u seperate apart
nent.
Al the conclusion of the ceremony, Col.
Miller instructed Major Brown 10 tell the In
dians tina; each should be privileged to des'
gnate tho minister of his choice. that record
of the same would be made, and the minister
so selected would havo FREQ intercourse with
him. The Colon and spectators then with.
drew, leaving the ministers in consultation
with tho prisoners.
CONFESSION OF THE PRISONERS.
Nearly all the prisoners under sentence,
made confessions to their spiritual advisers. -
They freely admit having been engaged in
tn, several battles; but deny the charge Of
having "wantonly and wckedly" murdered
wh;ts people. In this connection they make
one sencible statement to wit: That it is a
shame they should be hung, while others Of
the prisoners who are still more guilty, should
be allowed to go unpunished. ''
In making these statements, confessions and
denials they were generally calm; but a
few individuals were quite excited. They
were Immediately checked by othcrs, aud told
that they were all Head men an there was no
reason why they should not tell the truth.-
Many of them have indied letters to their
friends in which thoy say they are very dear
20 them; not to cry or chmge their dress for
them. Some Of them soy they expect to 90
and dwell with the good Spirit, and express
the hope that their friends will al join them.
On Tuesday evening they extemporzsd a
dance with wild Iadian song. It was fear
eI that this was only cover for something
else which might be attempted, and their
chains were thereafter fastened to the door.
MIDSIGur SCENE IN TIE CELL OF TIE CON
o DEMNED.
Late on Tuesday night, In company with
Lieut.. Col. Marshall, We visited tho building
occupied by the doomed Indians. They were
quartered on the ground floor OF the three
story stone building or, cted hy the late Gen.
Lccch.
They were all fastened to the floor by
chains, two by two. Some were sitting up,
smoking and conversing, while others were
reclining, covered with blankets, and apparent
ly asleep. Tho thrco half breeds and one or
TWO Others only, wore citizens closthes. The
rest all wore the beech clout, leggins and
blankets, and not a few adorned with paint.
The majority Of them are young men, though
several Of thcm are quite old and gray-hcad
ed, ranging, perhaps, towards TO- One is
quite youth mot over 10. They all appeared
cheerful aud contentcd, and scarcely to reflect