Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-05-08
VOL. XIV.

because he acted in self-defense. Thus this
double murderer a second time escaped the
punishment his crimes SO richly merited.
But he was not always thus to elude justice.
He again became involved in love affair
with another Indian woman, when, at her
instigation, or actuated by his own jealousy
he murdered Pial, son of Captain John.
This time he was unable to find any excuse
for his crime and he was found guilty bv
the council. condemned to be shot on an ap-
pointed day, and Captain John, as the nat
ural avenger, according to Indian customs,
was selected as executioner. Still, however.
he was not imprisoned cr placed under the
least restraint, but simply ordered to appear
at the appointed time and place, and submit
himself to the execution of his sentence.
the council not appearing to deem any fur
ther proceeding at all necessary to insure his
attendance. And as strange as il may seem
to US, the event showed that the council in
this had Judged correctly. Well do | remem-
Der hearing, when boy, an aged first settler,
who lived in the locality Of these events at
the time of their occurrence. and was per-
sonallv acquainted with them and the actors
describe the strange Indifference of Toomalcll
between the time of his sentence and execu-
ton, and the no less remarkable stoicism
with which ne submitted himself to his fate
= /, one day" said this settler. asked
Toomalek why he did not run away. since he
must know they would kill him if he re
mained?"
30, me no run away" was the reply.
. Indian never no run away. White man do
that. Indian stand up and die like a man =
Ard all these assertions were fully made
good by this stole of the forest. Though
placed under no restraint. nor the slightest
surveillance, yet he made no attempt to ab-
scond, but at the appointed time and place
he punctually appeared, and presenting him
self before Captain John, the executioner.
briefly announced
:. Ne come me ready.
He then covered his face with his hands.
repeated a short Indian prayer, and, with n
steady. firm voice. exclaimed
e. Mack 5enccf mack Jeace''' =. Now kill
me, kill me quick =
The next instant the criminal Toomalek
received bullet through his head from Cap
tain Johns rifle, and sunk to the earth IA
corpse
Now where in the history Of the white
race, or any other race than that of the North
American Aborigincs. can the instance be
found in which a criminal condemned IL
death has been suffered to run al large. and
then seen not only voluntarily presenting
himself for execution, but actually giving
off the word for the fatal shot with his own
lips? Nowhere. 1t seems reserved for our
Indian race alone to furnish such anomalous
examples. Who can account for tins remark
able distinction?
Soon after the occurrence Of this bloody
drama of Indian life. Captain John withdrew
to Canada. shortly followed by all the rest Of
his people in Vermont except Captain Joe
and his wife, Molly, who were too much at
tachcd to the land where they had So long
lived. and the settlers with whom thcv were
in such friendly intercourse. ever to leave it.
They therefore always remained. and. max
ing their old village their headquarters. took
expeditions and made brief soiourns for fish
ing and hunting in different places in the
eastern part Of the State, where several ponds
and streams still bear their name Among
the most noted of these are .Joe's and Molly 5
ponds in Cabot. Captain Joe was famous
hunter, and his wild adventures among moose
catamounts and other animals Of the forest
would probably furnish materials for vol
ume of as interesting reading as was ever
published For his patriotism in troublouS
times and friendship for the settlers. our
Legislature granted him pension Of seventy
dollars year, which he enjoyed till his
death, at a very advanced age. in the year
1919.