The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-02-17
EXECUTION.
A eAs Of the Array shot 20 Death
~ Command Of Gen. Crook
Amer TseIse Years Of Faithful Ser.
vice In the Dept. of the Platte.
A Tragic Occurrence Mt the Govern
ment Depot Grounds



Omaha Republican.
The new government corral or depot,
located in the southwest part of the
city, was the scene of a very tragic oc-
currence on Thursday last. 1t was a
military execution, the victim being a
member of the United States army, who
had done faithful service for a long
period of years in the department of
the Platte. The execution was done by
shooting, and was conducted under the
supervision of Major Furey. Out of
respect to the feelings Of the friends
and relatives Of the unfortunate VIC
tim, and as a partial reward for his
long and efficient services, the execu-
tion was made a very private affair,
and hence it has not become generally
known.
Yesterday afternoon, however, a Re
publican reporter got hold OF a special
order which had been issued on Febru-
airy 10th, from the headquarters Of the
department of the Platte, by command
Of Brig. Gen. George Crook, ordering
an examination of the accused on Feb
ruary 10th. and directing hat IL found
guilty, as alleged, he should be shot.
The order was MS follows:
HDQRs. DEBT. OF THE PLATTE,
Fort OMAHA, Feb. o, 1881.
Special orders No. IL.
(Ertrdct.)
A board of survey, TO consist of
Lieut.. Col w. b. Royal. third cavalry,
acting assistant inspector general u. s.
A., Capt. Thomas Wilson, commissary
of subsistence, U. S. A., and First
Lieut.. John G.. Bourke, third cavalry,
A.. ID. C., will v at the quarter
masters depot, Omaha, Neb., on the
10th day Of February, 1881, at 10
O'Clock "a. m, or rs soon thereafter as
practicable, to examine into and report
upon the condition OF one mule, the
property Of the United States, for
which Capt. John G.. Furey, assistant
quartermaster U. S. A., is responsible,
and which has been reported rs in
jured.
The board will cause the animal to be
shot IL found permanently injured.
by command of Brig. Gen. Crook.
RonERT WILLIAMS,
Asst. Adjt. General.
IL viii be observed by the careful
reader that the military authorities at
tach more thon ordinary Importance to
the life Of a government mule, and it
should surprise no one to learn that a
Republican reporter was detailed yes
terday afternoon to walk out to the cor
raj, through the binding blizzard, to
ascertain beyond the shadow of doubt,
whether the mule had been shot to
death; and also to obtain full particu-
lars. The reporter cheerfully made the
trip, as he saw a big item-''a scoop"
on the other morning sheet-looming
up in the distance, about u mile and a
half.
Arriving ut the corral, he found Maj.
Furcy sitting at his desk in his office;
announcing the object Of his mission, |
and at the same time handing him a
copy of the above order, and condition
nj death warrant, he asked him:
Has that mule referred to in this
document been shotgn
eyes, SIR"
''Then Lieut.. Col. W. b. Royal, I'd
cavalry, acting assistant inspector gen.
eral, u. S. A., Capt. Thomas Wilson,
commissary of subsistence, U. S. A.,
and First Lieut.. John G. Bourke, Sd
cavalry. A. ID. c., constituting the
board of survey, examined into and re-
ported upon the condition of the afore-
said one ~ mule, for which you, Capt.
Furey, assistant q-uartermaster U. S.
A., were responsible; and reported ad-
versely to tho vital interests of the I'M
fortunate mule, did they?n
"Yes, sir, they carefully investigated
his case, and were compelled to make
such a report, although it was greatly
against their feelings. Their sympa-
thies were with the mule, but you
know that military discipline will not
allow sympathy to interfere with the
strict discharge of duty; the mule had
TO dic.n
"You killed him then?n
Eyes, sir; l had the unpleasant duty
performed yesterday"
ibid the mule die hard?"
1--WE didn't give him n chance to die |
hard. Being aware of the general
toughness Of the average government
mule, and the tenacity with which he
clings to life, l knew 1t would not do to
have him shot with an ordinary rifle or
gun, SO l placed him in front Of a can
non, and fired him out of the premises.
There was no trace left of him, and he
never knew what hit him. Where the
fragments landed 1 have not learned,
but 1t is certain that we were saved
the trouble of burying him. When tho
cannon went OF, there wasn't a dry eye
among his old companions, who seemed
to know what had occurred. He was
n faithful mule, and had belonged TO
the mule brigade of this department
for twelve long years. He was never
known to turn his back to- the enemy