Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-11-10
True TO His word.


victed of murder, at the last term of the
circuit court of the Choctaw nation. took
place recently. Chester Dixon, the muir
derer, was young, full-blooded Choctaw
about IL years of age. He was subject to
fits, during which he often lost control of
himself He was, aside from this malady,
considered rather bright boy. Dixon
lived with his mother and stepfather about
five miles from Atoka. Their nearest
neighbors were an Indian known as WASH
ington, and Martha, his wife. One after
noon, about year ago, Washington re-
turned from Atoka and found that hor-
rible 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 it 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 a compe-
tent jury. He was found guilty and SEN
fenced to be shot Sept. 10, at noon He
was allowed to go home from the court
room unrestrained, except by parole OF
honor to be at the court t-house al 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 conclusively 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
it was unalterable. On Thursday Dixon
came to Atoka with his stepfather for 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 concern. On Friday morn
ing about one hundred 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 reporter
asked his companion whether there was
not some likelihood of the prisoner break
ing his parole.
'.If 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 was
heard on all sides, and there rode up
young fellow, slight in build, tall and
straight, but rather awkward In his move
ments. Alighting from his pony the boy
approached a little knot Of Indian women
who were gathered around blazing log.
Without giving any attention to those
around him he sat down by a stump, and,
hanging down his head, he seemed lost in
meditation. Presently Senerable old
Indian approached the boy and spoke to
him in the Choctaw tongue, bidding him,
as the interpreter said, to meet his fate as
became Choctaw brave; to remember
that nothing but his life would atene 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 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 10 imply that he
would not falter, and he never did thrugh-
out II 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 a word. At
ll:45 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 he ad-
justed every button without a sig of
tremor He then sat down ON b lket
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. and stood
facing his coffin. His stepfather 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 the boys breast, just
over the heart, and spoke few words OF
encouragement. The sheriff then bound a
handkerchief over Dixon's eyes, command
ed HIM to kneel, and Immediately there
after beckoned man who had until then
kept out of sight. This was Abner Woods,
cousin of the condemned. Dixon had
chosen Linn to do the shooting. Abner
advanced, and taking his position about
five PAGES from the boy, he leveled
his Winchester rifle, took steady aim, an d
fired.
The ball went to the mark. Almost
simultaneously with the report of the rifle
Dixon fell forward, uttering groan, and
died without struggle. The mother OF
the dead took charge of the remains,
which were buried by few friends. The
entire proceeding passed without q sem-
blance of excitement. Everything was
conduct ed properly and decorously. As
contrasted with the civilized mode of pun
ishment the Choctaw method is more
humane, more effective and is more likely
to deter others from capital offenses.