Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-12-11
WINNEMUCCA'S WIFE.
Details of the Ceremony of Stoning Her
to Death, as Given by an Eye-Wit-
ness.


Reno Gasette
The facts concerning the disappearance
of Wnnemucca's wife have now come 10
light, and are related by half breed
called Grizzly John, who is fully ac-
qualnted with the circumstances of her
death. He was an eyewitness of the
horrible scene, which he described to q
Gazette reporter in passable English. Inn
medlately after the affair he went north
ON deer hunt, from which he returned
recently.
The evening before old Winnemucca
died about one hundred Indians took the
squaw to large spring, where she had
been ordered to battle. Other squaWs
stripped her and washed her from head
to foot, ana then sprinkled her with fine
ashes. Then they started for a range Of
hills few miles from Coppersmith sta
tlon, leading the squaw, naked and bare
foot. Upon arriving at a chosen spot they
lit circle of fires, which lighted ND a
space Of ground about one hundred feet in
diameter. In the centre of this Was n
stump eight or ten inches high, to which
the trembling squaW was securely bound
by one foot with a rawhide straD. She
still held her child, bright little papoose
about two years old. When she had been
secured, each buck sought for certain
number of stones about the size of a mans
Gle of fires.
When all was ready for the sacrifice the
Indians joined hands and began a monOto-
nous chant, which lasted for a few min
utes, when one of them stepped into the
ring and began a harangue. AS he con-
tlnued to speak, the poor, agonized squaw
gave vent to piercing shrieks. crouchinp
upon the ground and pressing her babe to
her breast. This lasted for some minutes.
Then at signal there was silence. eXcept
the walls Of the intended victim. Sud
denly the speaker sprang toward her and
grasped the child. She struggled frantic
ally but unavailingly to retain it. and YVES
compelled by force to let it 90. The fiand
Immediately swung the infant around his
head, holding il by the ankle, howiinr like
ademon, and being echoed by the red devils
about HIM; but the squaw did not raise
her head nor emit a sipgle sound. Sud-
denly he dashed the ohild upon a rock and
Killed 1t instantly, Then he resumed his
place III the circle, which swung around
agaln, chanting as before, till the one who
Killed the baby came opposite the nile of
stones he had collected. when the move
ment stopped. Stepping forward he picked
up stone and going to within ten feet of
the crouching victim he hurled it at her
Win all the strength possessed by his
brawny red arm, The missile struck her
on the side, and was answered by a Shrek
vi dhS ne returned TO his place. End
the circle reVolved again until another
Indian was entitled to a murdero4s fling.
The wretched creature at the stake was
crouching in such an attitude that only
her side and back were exposed. 1t was
forbidden to hit her upon the head, and
the second savage, choosing the most
aVailahie target, launched rock at her
WIN the projectile force of a catapult,
striking her between the shoulders and
cutting fearful cash, from which the
blood flowed down her back in small
rlvulet. He then retired to his place, and
the circle moved on as before. Thus they
continued their murderOus pastime until
the poor, pitiful object lay prone upon the
ground, bleeding, senseess mass Of
mangled flesh. AS she lay upon her back.
the savage who had harangued the band
at first, raised large rock over his head
with both hands and inflicted the coup de
grace by smashing her skull. Then there
was pandemOnium for few minutes, after
which they dispersed and collected wood
for pile, upon which the remains Of the
luckless squaw and her babe were burned.
A few were left to keep up the sacrifciaI
hre, while the others returned 10 old Win
nemucca to comfort his dying moments
with the assurance that his young squaw
had preceded him 10 the Indians happy
land,