Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-10-09
EXECUTION OF THE MODOCs
THEIR LAST HOURS.
ALL MAKE SPEECHES,
CAPT. JACK BEGs FOR LIFE.
SCENE AT THE sCAFFoLD.

LAST HOURS Oh THE CONDEMNED MoDoOs
BEADING THEIR SENTENCE - CAPT.
JACK PLEADS FOR LIFE-HE PUTS THE
MURDERS UPON HIS ooFEDERATRs.
NEW York, Oct. 4.
At II O'Clock Thursday Gen. Whea-
ton. had a talk with the Indians, in the
guard house. Jack, who, by-the-by,
looked considerably worn and pulled
down by close confinement for the past
two or three months, took seat on the
end of the bunk, and old Schonchin sat
down on his right, huddled up in his
blanket. Both of these modest braves
were shackled at the feet, and had rather
a wild and nervous appearance, as if
very anxious about their future. Boston
Charley and Black Jim, who were
shackled together, on the left of Jack,
the former on the edge of the bunk, and
the latter on the floor with his back to
the wall. Buckskin Doctor and Pete,
two of the Lost river murderers, sat
next to Black Jim, with Brancho and
Sioux on the left, and Long Jim on the
right, Young SchOnchin sat on the bunk
on the side of his father, and the Curly
headed Doctor, Dave and another of the
Lost river murderers were squatted
along the wall on the right of the semi
circle. The whole party were very
fidgety, and although they had learned
from outside sources that six of them
were going to be hanged, they had re-
ceived no official notification of their
approaching doom. After the general
had taken his seat the post chaplain
walked into the middle of the circle and
delivered an address to the condemned,
which closed as follows:
! 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
60 to the happy land.
He then stepped up and shook hands
with them all, adding: Il hope to
meet you all in the happy land above.
When these remarks were translated by
Dave Hill the captives evinced consider
able 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 wandering of their eyes
showed that the blow struck hard.
Boston Charley kept steadily chewing
tobacco while the sentence was being
spoken, and squirted juice about the
floor in a nonchalant style, as if nothing
of any importance was taking place.
Schonchin expressed his contempt for
the whole matter by laying back on the
bunk and having in a most expressive
manner, as if the entire proceedings
were rather farce. Jack appeared 10
take the news very coolly. but his
bright and sparkling eyes appeared un-
usually brilliant and gaze round the
| circle in a quick restless manner. The
Interpreter then informed them, by or
der 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 hat
to make. Captain Jack then spoke as
| follows;
I have heard the sentence and know
what it is, but feel more innocent thar
! Bogus Charley, Hooker Jim, Steamboat
Frank and ShaCknasty jim; that these
men planned and instigated the crime
of which | am accused. When | look
into nay heart | see no crime there
| Young men started these murders. ltt
hard to rid them of their savags habits
| was always in favor of peace, anC
Bogus Charley was the first to propose
the murder of General Candy and the
peace commissioners. These young
men were with him. said no, bu
they had the power and carried me with
them We came near personal diff
Guilty. My life was in danger wheI
Bogus Charley proposed killing General
Candy. Boston Charley was the one
who first sanctioned it. Bogus Char
lev said, if you fail to help me / d,
it myself. | feel while these four mer
are at liberty they have triumphed owe
nue., and the government should fee
i more satisfied if they were brought Il
/ trial. as they were as guilty, if not NOR
so. than am | say that Bogus Char
lev was the only man who influenced
me he was traitor to both sides. IL
told lies to the Modoos, and lied to Gen
eral Candy. I should ike to see hin
1 In,Iray HIM and RnrI1
Charley were the men that agitated tn
murder. / want now to tell the truth
want to see those men. know tina
Shacknasty Jim killed General Canb,
and shot Meacham, and Boston Charlie,
killed DR.. Thomas. That is all know
about the massacre Boston Charlie,
says Shacknasty helped to kill Dr.
Thomas, and he wants to see him trie
as murderer Shacknasty told M
that he told General Wheaton he kille
General Candy, but | did not believ
him. He said so after the massacre
Bogus Charley told me he knew bloc
was on his hands, and | would not b
held accountable, as he was the rea
criminal. Bugus Charley wanted to XII
both Generals Candy ana Gillem, an
was very sorry that General Gillem oil
not come out that day.
Jack begged for a reprieve. He wa
told, by order of General Wheaton
that the great lawmakers of the goN
eminent had carefully considered HI
case, and the presidents decision Wa
final. Later, he renewed his attack o
General Wheaton, urging that it woul
| be quite proper for Scarfaced Charlie
; to take his place, and then his valuab
: services would be saved for his famil
: and his tribe. General Wheaton the
, asked.if any of the others had anythir
: to say. Sioux spoke as follows:
want to talk. People call n
/ George. I have been confined in Il
: guard house through misrepresentation
and my child died yesterday, and ecu
not go with the mourners. Nob0d
here can say that he saw me at the scel
e of the massacre. / would like to kno