Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-11-23

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APPEARANCE.
The execution of Chester Dixon. con-
victed OF murder at the last term of the
Circuit Court of the Choctaw Nation, took
place Friday at noon in the presence of
but small number of people. Chester
Dixon, the murderer, was a young full
blooded Choctaw about IL wears Of age
He was subject TO fits. during which he
often lost control of himself. He was.
aside from this malady, considered rather
| a bright boy.
Dixon lived with his mother and STEP
father about five miles from Atoka. Their
nearest neighbors were an Indian known
rs Washington and Martha. his wife. One
afternoon about 4 year ago Washington
returned from Atoka. and found that
horrible murder had been committed.
The body Of his wife lay on the tloor of
his cabin in ghastly fragments. The head
was severed from the body, and several
terrible gashes had been inflicted with
an AK, The bloody instrument of butchery
lay beside ahe bleeding victim. The alarm
was given, and 1t was discovered that
Dixon was seen issuing from the iated
house covered with blood. He was arrest
ed but stoutly denied the killing.
He was tried according to the Choctaw
law by a competent jury He was found
guilty and sentenced to be shot on Sept.
10. at noon. He was allowed to 90 home
from the court room unrestrained except
by his 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
reconsidered, for after his conviction he
was attacked with fit which proved con-
clusively that he was subject TO temporary
alterations. during which. it 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 il was unalter-
able.
On Thursday Dixon came to Atoka with
his step father Tor the purpose Of ordering
his coffin. He had his measure taken and
gave the orders for the disposition of his
body without the least appearance of con-
cern. On Friday morning about 100 per-
sons, most of them whites. gathered about
the court house to witness the execution.
Up to within half an hour OF the appointed
time Dixon had not appeared. Our re-
porter asked his companion whether there
was not some likelihood of the prisoner
breaking his parole.
'If he is alive he will be here within
ten minutes. Just as sure as the sun
Shines
Hardly had the words been spoken
when murmur OF Here he comes" was
heard on all sides, and there rode up
young fellow, slight of 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 about blazing log.
Without giving any attention to those
around him he sat down by stump, and
hanging down his head he seemed lost in
meditation Presently venerable oh
Indian approached the boy and spoke to
| him in the Choctaw tongue, bidding him.
as the interpreter said. to meet his fate as
became a Choctaw brave; to remember
that nothing but his lie would atone for
the life he had taken. and not to make the
expiation grudgingly. but to meet his
death feeling that his people had done
justice in condemning him.
While the old man was talking Dixon
held his dead 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
throughout it all. Several men and wo-
men then come up and shook hands with
him. He looked up at each one with a
glance of recognition. but never spoke a
word At about ] | AS the Sheriff, William
Nelson brought the doomed boy an entire
change of clothing, which he put on.
While Dixon was dressing for the grave.
eager eyes watched his every motion, to
discover if possible. the lerst evidence of
emotion but he adjusted every button with
out sign Of tremor He then sat down
on blanket while his mother combed his
hair.
The Sheriff then announced that the
time had come. Dixon arose and walked
to the spot pointed out by the officer. ard
stood facing his coffin. His stepmother
held his right hand, his cousin supporting
him on the left. The same old man who
had spoken to Dixon before now made a
mark with charcoal upon the boys breast
just under the heart. and spoke few
words Of encouragement. The Sheriff
then bound handkerchief over Dixon's
eyes. commanding him to kneel and imme-
diately thereafter beconed to man who
had until then kept out OF sight. This was
Abncr Woods. a cousin OF the condemned.
Dixon had chosen him to do the shooting.
Abner advanced and, taking his position
about five PAGES from the boy, he leveled
his Winchester rifle, took aim and fired.
The ball went to the mark. Almost
simultaneously with the report Of the rife
Dixon fell f)rward, uttered groan. and
died without a struggle. The mother OF
the dead took charge of the remains which
were buried by few friends. The entire
proceeding passed off without the SEM
blance Of excitement. Everything was
conducted properly and decorously. Az
contrasted with the civilized mode Of pun.
ishment the Choctaw method is more hu.
name. more effective, and is more likely
to deter others from capital offenses.-
Nusco9ee (Ark.) Indian Jomrnri.