Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-01-29
AHORREBLE DEED.
An Indian Woman burned at the
Stake.

II is a matter OF history, as every one
Is aware, that the tribal laws of some of
Ire Indian tribes surpass in rigor and
severity those of civilized nations, and
ibe penalties Inflicted for the breaking
Of these edicts which have been handed
down for centuries to the different tribes
of Indians, are of the most cruel and
fearful nature. One of the most strin-
cent of these DEGREES referred to is the
chastity OF their females, death being the
enlistment to one of these poor Great
nres, if, at any time, she is known to
have broken this law. From Job Vatu-
res, an old mountaineer and trapper, who
arrived from near Fish Spring Valley
Yesterday, we are enabled to give our
readers the particulars of one Of the
most iiendish acts of cruelty, lately per-
petrated by band of Indians near that
place. He says: For two weeks prior to
the occurrence of the events about to be
narrated, the Indians had been building
signal fires on the elevated portions of
mountains for miles around the sur
rounding country. AS it was past their
regular hunting seasons much surprise
was manifested MS The lights appeared
night after night, calling the absent por-
tons of the tribes to the general rendez-
yous. On questioning some of their
number they were, contrary to their usu
al manner, reticent on the subject, and
only replied TO questions put to them
concerning the unusual occurrence that
white man no sabe.' Our informant,
however, who speaks the language like
native, heard enough to satisfy himself
that rite was about to be performed,
which was of rare occurrence, and on
questioning u haif-breed who frequent
" accompanied him on his hunting ex-
cursions, he learned that young wo-
man, a member Of one Of the tribes in
that country who had abandoned her
people year or SO since to live with a
white man, had returned, bringing with
her babe about three months old. Hers
was the old, old story, so common with
us nowadays. After short spell of
happiness and pleasure, he who had
brought her to her ruin became tired of
his victim, and abandoned her to her
fate. She, like thousands placed in the
same circumstances, sought refuge at her
home and among her people, hoping to
tiud a shelter for herself and child; but
with the terrible penalty of the law she
had broken, with the indisputable evi-
dence of her guilt in her arms, we won-
der at her hardihood in placing herself
in the power of those whom she must
have known would show her no mercy
Nothing that she could offer in palliation
of her otfense would be received by those
who only knew that their sacred law had
been broken; they awaited only to pun
ish the violatOr. Having heard that
the terrible decree would be carried out
on certain night, our informant Sc
creted himself IN position where he
could obtain an uuobstructed view of all
they would do, and he arrived none toe
soon, for already the preliminaries had
been arranged, and arounda stake driven
in the ground the warrior braves were
marching in circle to the solemn
mournful music being played upon
the native instruments Of the band.
Prominent among them was one who
had not as yet taken an active part
in the proceedings, which was the
chief, and as the solemn circle passed
him each of them would let fly an ar,
row from his bow at some imaginary
enemy, several of which fell in close
proximity to the unseen watcher OF
their action. After the dance of deatl
was finished, the chief, by a gesture
gave some order to brave in waiting
and from a circular tent emerged tn
women Of the tribe, surrounding the vic
tim who was to be sacrificed to offsnde
justice. With the exception of a ligh
covering around the waist she was utterl
devoid of clothing, and seemed uncor
soious as to the terrible death awaitin
lal~ Al faI bx IN
of the women, uttered the most piercln
cries, trying to attract the attention c
its mother; but she was not allowed I
touch her infant, and with look as onl
fond mother can bestow she gave on
earnest, passionate glance at her offsprin
and walked bravely on to meet her deatf
No time was lost; the "medicine man
quickly bound her to the stake; brus
and fagsots were placed around her s
thick as to render her invisible to th
tends, who were now rending the a
with their shouts and cries. The pyl
was lighted; the flames seemed possesse
of hellish joy as they enwrapt the forl
OF the woman. Thickly the smoke curle
spitefully around her, yet not murmu
not groan escaped her lips. She al
peared a statue, meeting her fate wit
that wonderful stoicism and bravei
which characterizes her race. The fl
which at first thrust its fury darts at IL
tervals, was now sheet of flame, 500
burned down leaving nothing but tt
charred bones of her, who, but few mi
ments since, was living human beini
and her executioners, who had in the
untutorsd minds satisfied the wrath I
the Great Spirit. and the stigma on Il
tribe removed, silently departed from Il
scene of their horrible act, and separates
to again seek their homes, leaving 0.
watcher alone with the dead victim, VIII
as soon as he was assured of his safst
departed from the place; but such WI
the impression left on his mind that
bid farewell to that portion Of the conl
try forever. Eureka Sentinel, 22d.