Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-10-11
EXECUTION OF THE MODOCS.

ing 1l:S0 o'clock, and by hard riding ar
rived here late the same evening with
the following report of the execution OF
Captain Jack and his band:
Boston Charlie and Black jim were
led on the scaGold first and Schonchn
next They trod on it with appalent,
indifference, having evidently resolved
to die as brayely as they had hVeu'
Cantain Jack went leisurely up the
STAIRWAY. but looked wretched and mis-
nrobl., The manacles had been struck
oT but their arms were securely pin
;oned with cords. At precisely 9.45
4. NJ. the Interpreters, Captain 0. Z.
Applegate and David Hill, explained to
the prisoners the nature of the order to
be read to them by the adjutant, and at
10 o'clock Adjutant Kingsbury read the
order promulgating the sentence of the
commission, and the Presidents order
thereon, with the orders of the secretary
and the department commander Ill the
premises.
The two reprieved prisoners, Barncho
and Sioux. stood on the ground in
guard. During the reading the pinion-
ed victims were seated on the platform
of the scaffiold with their feet on the
drop, listening anXiously, but OF course
understanding not word of it. The
reading occupied ten minutes, when the
adiutant read the order and commute
ton in the case Of Barncho and Sioux,
and the poor fellows were taken back to
the stockade, eviden tly rejoiced at not
accompanying the others to the happy
hunting grounds.
The chaplain then offered fervid and
earnest prayer for the souls of the cul-
prits, which was listened to attentively.
At1O.l5 o'clock the fatal nooses were
placed around their necks, under the
direction of Captain Hoge. 1t was ne
cessary to cut off little of Captain
Jacks long hair, which was in the way
of the rope Captain Hoge then bid
farewell to the prisoners, and black caps
were placed over the heads Of all the
culprits. At 1920 they stood on the
drop, and the rope was cut by an assist
ant at signal made with Captain
Hoge's handkerchief The bodies swung
round and round, Jack and Jim appar-
emily dying easily, but Boston and
Schonchin apparently suffering terrible
commissions. Boston and Schonchin re-
peatedly drew up their legs, but the
others seemed to die almost instantly.
At 1910 their pulses were felt by Cap
tain Hoge. and as this is being written
they are swinging lifeless i'll the air.
As the drop fell with a terribly dead
" thud, four poor wretched human be-
ings fell into eternity, and Il halt-smoth-
cred cry of horror went up from crowd
of over five hundred Klamath Indians
who witnessed the awful spectacle
Walls of deep and bitter anguish went
up from the stOckade, where the wives
and children of the poor fellows had a
fair view of the shocking scene.
The collins. six in number, had been
placed directly in the rear of the gal
lows. two OF them destined to be unoc-
cnpied. rs the order committing the SEN
fences of Barncho and Sioux only az
rived at 1890 o'clock Thursday even
inc. and preparations had been made
for their execution with the others. An
application was made next morning to
General WheaAon by the Sheriff of
Jackson county, Oregon, for the custo-
dy of the Indians indicted by the grand
inv of that State, but it was refused.
SCENES BEFORE TIE EXECUTION.
\ dispatch in regard to the doomed
Modocs the day before their execution,
with scenes among the savages before
the hanging, gives the following ntor-
nation:
The chaplain, standing before Cap
tain Jack, Schonchin, Boston Charley,
Black jim, Barncho, and Sioux, said {;
Il have to tell You all that the Great
Father in Washington has decided that
tomorrow YOU must all die for your
sins. and the Great Spirit also tells you
that if YOU repent and show sorrow for
the crimes YOU have committed YOU will
90 to the happy land" He then step
ped up and shook hands with them all
aiding, II hope TO meet you all IN the
baupv land above" When these re-
marks were translated by Dave Hill the
captives eyineed considerable interest,
and they were evidently striving hard
to maintain composure, and they had
very stolid appearance, but the nervous
twitching of the hands and restless wan
derine Of their eyes showed that the
blow struck hard.
Boston Charly kept steadily chewing
tobacco while the sentence was being
spoken, and squirted the juice about the
floor in nonchalant style, as if nothing
of anv importance was taking place.
Schonchin expressed his contempt for
the whole matter, laying back on the
bunk and having in the most express
i've manner, as if the entire proceedings
were rather bore.
Jack appeared to take the news very
coollv, but his bright and sparkling eyes
appearei unusually brilliant and gazed
around the circle in quick and restless
manner. -
The Interpreter then informed them,
nv order of the President, that their
wives and families would be taken good
care of: also that General Wheaton
was now prepared to hear any remarks
they had to make.
CAPTAIN JACK SPEAKS.
Co,,o;n lack then spoke, Dave Hill