The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1880-10-16

A REMARKABLE STORY FROM THE INDIAN
TERRITORY.
IN. o. Picayune..l

| ne GhGCublUIl III OucStCT DlAOQ-
convicted of murder at the last term
of the Circuit Court of the Choctaw
Nation, took place Friday at noon
in the presence Of but a small num-
Der of people. Chester Dixon, the
murderer, was young full-blooded
Choctaw about IL years Of age He
was subject to fits, during which he
of en- lost control of himself. He
was, aside from this malady, con-
sidered rather bright boy.
Dixog lived with his mother and
step-father about five miles from
Atoka. Their nearest neighbors
were an Indian known as Washing
ton, and Martha, his wife. One af-
tcrnoon about a year ago Washing
4 ton 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
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 the bleeding victim. The
alarm was given, and it was dis
covered that Dixon was seen issuing
from the fated house covered with
blood. He was arrested, but stoutly
denied the killing.
He was tried according to the
Choctaw law by competent Jury.
He was found guilty and sentenced
to be shot ON September 10 at noon.
He was allowed to go home from
the court room, unrestrained except
by his parole of honor to be at the
courthouse at Atoka at the hour ap.
pointed for his execution. Choctaw
laws provide for no appeal, else his
case would have been reconsidercd.
for after his conviction he was al
tackled with a 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 ot death having
been pronounced il was unalterablc.
On Thursday Dixon came 10 Atoka
with his stepfather for the purpose
Of ordering his coffin lie had his
measure taken and gave the orders
for the disposition Of his body with
out the least appearance of concern.
On Friday morning about one bun
drod persons, 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 omelikelihood Of the
prisoner breaking his parole.
:" If he is alive he will be here
within ten minutes, just as sure as
/ the snn shines"
Hardly had the words been spoken
when murmur of Here he coniesp
lswSR heard un all sides, and there
rode ap a Young fellew, slight Of
build, tall and straight, but rather
awkward in his movements Aliglt-
ing from his pony, The boy approach
cd a little knot Of Indian woS,ejwllo
were gathered about bIs,zing log.
Without giving any attention n.
those around him he sat down by
stump, and hanging down bis head
he seemed lost IN meditation. Pre-
sently venerable old Indian APP
preached the boy and spoke to him
in the Choctaw tongue, bidding him
as the interpreter said, 70 meet Ills
fate Is became d Ghoctaw brave; to
remember that nothing but his life
would atone for the life he had taken,
and not tomake the expiation grudg-
ingly, but to meet His death feeling
that bis people had done justice in
eondemning.
While the old man was talking
Dixon held Ills head down, but atthc
conclusion Of the speech he looked
up, held out his liand, and, in the
hearty grasp he gave tile old mans
hand, seemed to imply that be would
not falter, and he never did, through
ont it all. Several men and women
then came up and shook hands with
him. Hclooked up at each one with
q glance iof recognition, but never
spoke q word. At about lido 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 mo
ton, to discover if possible, the
least evidence Of emotion, but he adj
lusted every button without q sign
Of tremor He then sat down on q
blanket while his mother conibed bis
hair.
The Sheriff then announced that
the time had came. Dixon arose and
walked TO the spot pointed out by
the officer, and stood facing llls
coffin. His stepfather held his right
hand, his cousin supporting him oll
the left. The same old man who
had spoken to Dixon before, now
made a mark with charcoal upon
the boys breast, just over the heart
and spoke D few words Of encour-
agcmellt The Sheriff then bound y
handkerchief over Dixop's eyes com
lmanded him to knecl, and imme-
sdiately thereafter bcckonod to man
who had nntil than karsf ont If sight.