Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-11-06


A VERY remarkable story is thus told
by the Muscogee Indidn journal: The
execution of Chester Dixon, convicted
of murder at the last term Of the Cir
cult Court of the Choctaw Nation, took
place Friday at noon in the presence of
but small number of people. Chester
Dixon, the murderer, was young full
blooded Choctaw about seventeen years
of age. He was subject to fits, during
which he often lost control of himself.
He was, aside from this malady, con-
sidered rather bright boy.
Dixon lived with his mother and
stepfather about five miles from Atoka.
Their nearest neighbors were an Indian
known as Washington, and Martha. his
wife. One afternoon, about a year ago,
Washington returned from Atoka and
found that horrible murder had been
committed. The body of his wife lay
on the floor of his cabin in ghastly frag-
men.s The head was severed from the
body. and several terrible gashes had
been inflicted with an AK. The bloody
instrument of hatchery lay beside the
bleeding victim. The alarm was given
and il WAS discovered that Dixon had
been seen issuing from the fated house
covered with blood. He was ARE sted,
but stoutiy denied the killing.
He was tried according to the Choc-
taw law by competent jury. He was
found guilty. and sentenced TO be shot
September 10. at noon. He was al
lowed TO go home from the Courtroom,
unrestrained except by parole of honor
TO be at the Courthouse at Atoka at
the hour appointed for his execution.
Choctaw laws provide for no appeal.
else his case would have been reconsId-
cred. for after his conviction he was at
tackled with fit. which proved conclu-
sively that he was subject to temporary
alterations. during which, il is pre-
sumed, he was irresponsible for his &C
tons. His attorney during histrial had
not made any such plea, and, the SEN
tence of death having been pronounced,
it was unalterable.
On Thursday. Dixon came to Atoka
with his step-father, for the purpose of
ordering his coffin. He had his meas
ure taken and gave the orders for the
disposition of his body without the least
appearance of concern. On Friday
morning about one hundred persons,
most of them whites, gathered about
the Court House to witness the execu-
ton. Up to within half an hour of the
appointed time Dixon had not APP
peared. Our reporter asked his COM
panion whether there was not some like
lihood of the prisoner breaking his pa
role.
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. bat rather awkward in
his movements. Alighting from his
pony. the boy approached little knot
of Indian women who were gathered
around a blazing log. Without giving
any attention to those around him he
sat down by stump. and. hanging
down his head. he seemed lost in med
itation. Presently venerable old In
dian approached the boy and spoke to
him in the Choctaw tongue, bidding
him, rs the interpreter said, to meet
his fate as became a Choctaw brave; to
remember that nothing but his life
would atone for the life he had taken,
and not to make the expiation grudg-
ingly, but to meet his death feeling