The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-11-27
True to ais word.

True to Ais word.
'--l-
The execution Of Chester Dixon, con.
victed of murder, at the last term of tho
circuit court of tho Choctaw nation. took
place recently. Chester Dixon, the muir.
derer, was young, full-bloodcd Choctaw
about IL years of age. He was subject tc
fits, during which he often lost control OF
himself He was, aside from tins malady,
considered rather bright boy. Dixon
five miles from Atoka. Their nearcs,
neigh6ors were an Indian known as Wash.
ington, and Martha, his wife. Ono after
noon, about a year ago, Washington re.
turned from Atoka and found that hor-
riblc murder had been committed. The
body Of his wife lay on the floor of his
cabin in ghastly fragments. The head
was severed from the body, and several
terrible gashes had been inflicted with an
axe. The bloody instrument of butchery
lay beside the bleeding victim. The alarm
was given and 1t was discovered that Dixon
was seen issuing from the fated house COW
cred with blood. He was arrested. but
stoutly denied the killing. He was tried
according to the Choctaw law by compe-
tent jury. He was found guilty and sen
fenced to be shot Sept. 10, at noon He
was allowed to 20 home from the court
room unrestrained, except by parole of
honor to be at the court house at Atoka at
the hour appointed for his execution.
Choctaw laws provide for no appeal, else
his case would have been rcconsidcred, for
after his conviction he was attacked with a
fit, Which proved conclusively that he was
subject to temporary alterations, during
which, 1t is presumed, he was irresponsible
for his actions. His attorney during the
trial had not made any such plea and the
sentence Of death having been pronounced
it was unalterable. On Thursday Dixon
came to Atoka with his stepfather for the
purpose 0f ordering his coffin. lie had his
measure taken and gave the orders for the
disposition of his body without the least
appearance of concern. On Friday morn
ing about one hundred persons, most of
them whites, gathered about the court
house to witness tho execution. Up to
within half an hour of the appointed time
Dixon had not appeared. Our reporter
asked his companion whether there was
not some likelihood of the prisoner break
ing his parole. 0.
''lf he is alive he will be here within ten
minutes just as sure as the sun Shines"
Hardly had these words been spoken
when murmur of Here he comes J" was
heard on all sides, and there rode up a
young fellow, slight in build, tall and
straight, but rather awkward in his move
ments. Alighting from his pony the boy
approached little knot of Indian women
who were gathered around a blazing Jog.
without giving any attention to those
around him he sat down by a stump, aud,
hanging down his head, he seemed lost in
meditation. Presently venerable old
nim in IKE Uhoosaw 'e gSy saa SPOKE @ 10
as the interpreter said, to meet his fate as
became Choctaw brave; to remember
that nothing but his life would atone tor
the life he had taken, ana not to make the
explation grudgingly, but to meet his death
feeling that his people had done justice in
oondemning him.
While the old man was talking Dixon
held his head down, but at the conclusion
Of the speech he looked up, held out his
hand, and in the hearty grasp he gave the
old mans hand, seemed to imply that he
would not falter, and he never did thrugh-
out it all. Several men and women then
came up and shook hands with him. He
looked up at each one with glance of rec
ognition, but never spoke word. At
l1:46 o'clock the sheriff, VIM. Nelson,
brought the boy an entire change of cloth
ing, which he put on. While Dixon was
dressing for the grave, eager eyes watched
his every motion to discover. if possible,
the least evidence of emotion, but hc ad-
justed every button without a sign of
tremor. He then sat down on a blanke ct
while his mother con bed his hair.
The sheriff then announced that the time
had come. Dixon arose and walked to the
spot pointed out by the officer. and stood
facing his coffin. His stcpfather held his
right hand, his cousin supporting him on
the left. The same old man who had
spoken to Dixon before now made mark
with charcoal upon tho boys breast, just
encouragement. The sheriff then bound q
handkerchief over Dixon's eyes, command,
cd HIM to kneel, and Immediately there
after beckoned man who had until thcr
kept out Of sight. This was Abncr Woods
cousin Of the condemned. Dixon haC
chosen him to do the shooting. Abnel
advanced and taking his position about
five PAGES from the boy, he lcvelct
his Winchester rifle, took steady aim, aad
fired.
The ball went to the mark. Almost
simultaneously with the report Of the rilit
Dixon fell forward, uttering groan, an(
died without "a struggle. The mother o.
the dead took charge of the remains
which were buried by few friends. The
entire proceeding passed without sem
blance of excitement. Everything wa
conducte I'd properly and dccorously. As
contrasted with the civilized mode of pun
ishment the Choclaw method is NOR,
humane, more effective and Is more likely
to deter others from capital offenses.
Ziito, the soroorer. fl