Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-11
THE BURNING OF COLONEL CRAWFORD.

The Pioneer Association OF this county
met few weeks ago to perfect arrange
ments for the observance OF the one nun
dredth anniversary of the burning at the
stake of Colonel William Crawford, which
occurred on the l05h Of June. Inc aver
age reader is perfectly acquainted with the
facts surrounding the case of the cruel tor
ture Of a good and great man-Colonel
William Crawford-but at TINS proper
time it is well enough to recall them:
1t was on the l0sh of June, and the
afternoon was well spent, when Crawford,
under escort of his tormentors, arrived at
this ever. memorable spot of ground. They
here met many Wyandots from the Hall
Kings town, and men, squaws and chill
dren from Captain Pipes village, Just be-
low. A fire was burning brightly. Craw-
ford was stripped naked and ordered to sit
down near the fire. The Indians now beat
him with their fists and sticks. The fatal
stake-a post about fifteen feet high-had
been set firmly in the ground, and piles OF
hickory poles, larger than a mans thumb
and from eight to twelve feet long, lay at
the distance Of four or five yards from the
stake. Crawford's hands were tied behind
his back. A strong rope was produced,
OAAS ShN VI HuLCH WAS Ia5bChCO w VIZ
ture between his wrists, and the other
tied to the post near the ground. The
rope was long enough to permit him to
walk around the stake several times and
then return.
Crawford, observing these terrible prepa-
rations, called te Simon Girty, who sat on
horseback at a distance of few yards from
the fire, and asked if the Indians were 60
ing to burn him. Girty very cody replied
in the Affirmative Crawford heard the re-
ply with firmness, merely remarking that
he would bear it with fortitude. When
the poles had burnt asunder in the middle,
Captain Pipe arose and addressed the
crowd in tone OF great energy and with
animated gestures, pointing frequently to
Crawford, who regarded him with an ap-
pearance OF unrufiled composure. As soon
as he had ended his harangue, loud
whoop burst forth from the assembled
throng, and all made a rush for the unfor-
tunate prisoner. For several seconds the
crowd was so great around Crawford that
Knight, who was seated little distance
away, could not see what they were doing,
but in a short time they had sufficiently
dispersed to give him view OF the Colonel.
His ears had been cut off, and blood wGa
streaming down each side of his face.
A terrible scene of torture now COM
menced. The warriors shot charges Of
powder into his naked body, commencing
with the calves of his legs, and continu-
ing to his neck 1t was the opinion of
Knight that no less than seventy loads
were discharged upon him. Three or four
Indians by turns would take mp one Of the
burning pieces OF poles and apply the
burning end to his naked body, already
burnt black with powder. These torment
ors presented themselves on every side OF
him, so that whichever way he ran round
the post, they met him with burning
brands. Some of the squaws took broad
pieces of bark, upon which they could
carry quantity of burning Goals and hot
embers, and throw on him, so that IN
short time he had nothing but Goals of fire
and hot ashes to walk upon. In the midst
of these extreme tortures Crawford called
to Girty, and begged of him to shoot him
through the heart. Don't you see have
no gun Colonel" replied the white savage
monster, bursting into loud laugh, and
then, turning to. an Indian beside him, he
uttered some brutal iests upon the naked
and miserable appearance of the suffering
prisoner, and seemed delighted at the hor-
rid scene.
The terrible scene had now lasted more
than two hours, and Crawford had become
very much exhausted. He walked slowly
around the stake upon his fiery pathway,
and in low tone of voice earnestly be-
sought God to pardon all his sins and have
mercy on his soul. His nerves had lost
much of their sensibility, ard he no longer
shrank from the firebrands with which his
tormentors incessantly touched him. At
length he sank in fainting fit upon his
face, and lay motionless. Insta|tlY an
Indian spraDg upon his back, knelt Ia,
upon enc knee, made circular incision
with his knife upon the crown of his head,
and, clapping his knife between his teeth,
tore the scalp off with both hands. Scarcely
had this been done when withered old
hag approached with piece of bark full
of Goals and burning embers, and poured
them upon the crown of his head, now
laid bare to the bone. The Colonel
groaned deeply, arose and again walked
slowly around the stake. Nature at length
could endure no more, and at late hour
in the evening he fell for the last time, and
sweetly welcomed death at one stroke bore
Colonel William Crawford beyond the
reach Of his vindictive tormentors, and
gave Wyandot county martyr.hero of
whom she is justly proud. Il [Sandusky
TO- Letter to Cincinnati Commercial