The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-11-03
AN EXECUTION ON THE PLAINS.


have never, alasi been realized. O
that portion of our journey from hom,
until we arrived ut Kansas, on the Mis-
souri, River. will not speak. On ar
| irving at Kansas, we found larg,
crowd waiting to get every thing il
readiness to start for this land of gold
and, among the rest, a large train from
the southern portion of Missouri, tc
which we attached ourselves; and or
the 10th of May left that place.
1t was not until we got into the Ter.
ritory that we learned the true charac-
ter of those TO whom we had voluntar.
lily attached ourselves. They were OF
the usual ''Pikc" stamp-regular Wes-
tern men-who had been accustomed
to hardships all their lives. The por-
ton of our trip to Fort Laramie passed
OF very pleasantly. After we left that
place, however, we had frequent quar-
rels and fights. but nothing of a serious
nature until one day, the 9th Of June,
our captain. Mr.. NJ, had stopped be-
hind in the morning. and about noon
came riding up to his own wagon, and
spoke to the driver, Mr.. T.. rather
harshly about driving SO hard, when
the latter became irritated, and struck
him with his whip. NJ. jumped off his
horse and made toward the driver,
when o brother interfered, and some
harsh language was exchanged between
the two, and M. turned to go away;
but as he did so, 7. struck him with a
large knife in the breast. M. stag
gered, and as he fell, T. caught him by
the hair. jerked his head back, and
drew his butcher knife across his neck,
nearly severing his head from the
body, and poor NJ. fell without a
groan. i
The whole affair took place so quick
ly that we had no time to interfere. T.
Immediately turned on his heels and
walked slowly away. None thought of
to follow him; we were all
engaged with poor NJ, who never spoke
after he fell to the ground, and in ten
he was dead. We dug grave
beside the road and buried him, and
nothing marks his last resting place
save q rude board with this inscription:
'.Here lies the body of George NJ. born
in Missouri-murdered by Alfred T.,
on the 9th day of June, 1852"
While we were digging the grave, a
horse train came along. and, on being
informed of the facts of the case, start
ed some men in pursuit of the fugitive.
The burial ceremony being over, we
resumed our journey. and after travel
ling about six miles, overlook the horse
Train. who had caught T., and had en-
camped on the banks of a small stream
IN the Black Hills. There were, when
We got there. about two hundred wag-
,ns encamped, waiting to hear the
finale of the tragedy. A large tent
vas pitched, and in this was the court
% sit and decide whether L. was inuo-
cent or guilty. A judge was elected by
he assemblage, and the accused ac-
,eptcd the election. An attorney was
appointed for the prosecution, and the
selected one to defend him.
Two hundred jurors were then sum-
noned, and out of that number twelve
we're selected.
The witnesses for the prosecution
we're then called, and testified to the
acts as l have stated them, when the
udge asked the defendant if he had
my Witnesses. ..No, he had none;
idn't know that he wanted any" His
insisted on introducing evil
lence, however. rs to character. ETC.,
which was admitted. After the witness
or the defence had got through. the
utiOn il he had any thing to say. He
aid he had not, whereupon the defend
nt's counsel rose and addressed the
ury in a speech Of half an hours
engtll. The Judge said that he knew
was customary TO charge the jury as
o law in the premises; but on this oc-
aston he would dechne. and would
'nly say to them to be guided by their
,s~I do
nature dcliberation. The jury then
etired. or rather the court and specta-
ors retired, and left the jury in the
ent.
In about half an hour the sheriff in
ormed the judge that the jury had
greed. Upon the assembling of the
curt. the judge asked the foreman if
hey had agreedi upon a verdict; the
eply was that they had. The defend
mt was then ordered to stand up, and
he Judge inquired of the foreman the
erdict of the jury. A breathless
ilence here reigned in the tent. The
brennan replied that 1.-THE jury had
ound Alfred I: guilty of murder in
he first degree" A low murmur here
an through the crowd. whether of sat
or disappointment we could
lOL Gcu. 1uc JuuSc ouiucu W Ino OC-
endant and asked him if he had any
.ood reasons to urge why the verdict
# the jury should not be carried into
fleet. The young mamie was about
years old-arose, and. with
mocking smile on his lips, said he
lad; and then, turning to the specta-
arried the joke about far enough"
II, n6
lis seat. The judge rebuked him for
lis unseemly mirth, and then in as brief
manner as possible passed sentence
ung by the neck until he was dead"
are to meet his God.
The Judge then rose and addressed
he crowd. saying that the carrying out
+ the sentence remained entirely with
hem. and concluded by putting the
uestion-'.As many of you rs are in
avor of carrying out the verdict of the
ury and the sentence of the court, say
ye." As if by one common impulse,
very voice shouted AYE" The neg
tive was then put. and not one single
oice was heard. Twas not till then
hat the culprit's stubborn confidence
vas shaken.
Court was then adjourned. and the
risoner remained in the tent under a
irict guard. During that short hour,
which to the guard appeared q lifetime.
he prisoner seemed to enjoy himself
well for a person who had
My sixty minutes to live; he refused
IL assistance or counsel from the
laughed. whistled and sang as
aerrily as if. instead of the day on
,hich he was to die, it was his bridal
ay.
At length the time expired. and he
vas conducted by his guard to the bank
f the river, where, under those large |
rees, were assembled some two or three
housand persons-men, women and
bildren. On q large tree had been
igged gallows. and from limb that
rejected out from the body, swung the |
ope, dallying to and fro as the wind
noved it, while directly under the
ope were two casts--one placed on the |
ther.
The prisoner still retaiDrd all his |