The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-11-26

''Thau shslt not kin, and after fair trial
lasting one week-after eloquent speeches
had been made pro and con-he was
found guiky snd placed in the county
jail for safe Keeping. He remained there
until Thsrsday afternoon Nov. 18th.
when Re was taksD 70 the settlement
eight miles from this city, the next day
friday It 2se' clock being set for his
execution.
At the hour appointed, pretty much
all the tribe, including the women. as
sembled on the crest Of the hill on the
west side Of the Episcopal cemetry ut the
foot OF which the swinging para phernalia'
was placed. The chiefs, with the exception
of one or two, were present, while one
who was mounted, to take charge and
give commands which commands were
promptly attended to. A hollow square
was formed-.a detail of Oneidas, armed
with guns and bayonets officiating a.
guards. AT 3 o'clock, the prisoner was
brought down IN . wagon to the side of
the scatfold dressed in a white gown and
cap. Prayers we're offered by the Epis-
copal missionary there, and then several
came forward, including the prisoners
wife and mother, to shake hands and say
wagon. not e trace Of fear-not an emo
ton was exhibited-but there he sat, sus-
tanned no doubt with that stoicism and
seeming Indifference, 30 common to the
red man. Shortly after, he ascended
the scatfold-a. construction similar 20
that used in States where hanging is per-
mitted-and sat on 4 chair. looking
around him with the utmost composure
On expi essing desire to see the inside
of his coffin, it was opened, when he
coolly surveyed it. appearing perfectly
satisfied with its construction. He then
arose and spoke in his native tongue, the
translation Of which is as follows. Be-
tween each sentence there was q pause
My friends, l wish you would con-
duct yourself better than have.
Let whiskcy alone:
IF you do, you won be in my stu
ation.
There is rope around my neck.
"And it don't look we'll.
You look better without it.
II ask my mother aud sisters not to
shed . tear over me.
Il am prepared to die.
81 ask my Heavenly Father to forgive
my bad deeds.
Il trust the Lord will forgive me.
"Onen age,Cegon ,ontcgiod nOR,oerd-
ton.
lNow I bid you all gcod-bye.)
His hands and feet were then tied and
he was told that he had but four minutes
more time left He then, in low gut
teral voice repeated the Lords prayer
in the musical language of the Oneida.
Mr. Goodenough commenced reading the
service during which the prop was
knocked out and Juc05 Po,oless was on
the confines of eternity. He struggled
but little. although it is probable that
his neck was not broken. After hang
ing fifteen minutes his body was cut
down and buried Immediately in corner
of the cemetery.
The crowd, many of whom were from
Green Bay, Depere and other places
dispersed, and stranger passing that
way half an hour after would little sus-
pcct of the tragedy enacted.
As is generally known, hanging is pro-
hibited in Wisconsin but our laws do not
cover Indian reservations. This is the
second case of hanging by the tribe,
Peter Green, having been hung about
twenty-five years ago, there, for killing
his children.
The same stolid stoical Indifferent man:
ner of Ro,oless was shown by his relatives
and the whole tribe. His wife was
within ten feet of the gallows when he
was launched into the world beyond:
not a tear dimmed her eye-not mus
Gle contracted-not shadow of sorrow
rested upon her features-and yet who
who can say the pangs Of grief were not
tugging at her heart strings.
For the information of other than
local readers We will state that the tribe
of Oneidas are divided into membership
between the Methodist and Episcopal
churches. They have their customs
their traditions and manage their own
matters entirely. In the whole affair
none but Oneidas participated, from the
Judge, jury and counsel down. Many
of their young men" have been educated
in the best colleges, and close observer
would hardly suspect that the Oneidas
we're once members of that warlike con-
federacy known as the Iroquois. Part
of the tribe remain in New York State,
near their long Council house while
the balance remain here cultivating the
soil, and turning their instruments of
war into the ploug h-sha.e aud the pur-
ming hook.
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