Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-09-02
HORRIDLE FATE.

The Pioneer Association or this coun-
ty observed the Tooth anniversary OF
the burning at the stake OF Colonel Viii
liam Crawford on the 10Th OF June.
The average reader ID perfectly &C
ouainted with the facts surrouding the
case OF the cruel torture of good aud
great man-Colopel William Crawford.
But at this proper time 1t is well
enough to recall them.
Il was on the llth day OF June, and
the afternoon was well spent when
Crawford, under escort of bis torment
ors, arrived al this ever-memorable
spot of ground. They here met many
.Wyandots from the Half Kings town.
aud men, squaws and children from
Captain Pipes village just below. A
Ere was brightly burning. Crawford
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 rslh.
er thicker than o mans thumb, and
from eight TO twelve feet long, lay at
distances of four or five yards from tho
stake. Crswford's hands were tied be-
hind his back. a s;roug rope was pro-
duced, one end Of which Was fastened
to the hgature between his wrists, and
the other tied TO the stake near tho
ground. The rope was long enough to
permit him 10 walk around the stake
several times and then return.
Crawford, observing these terrible
preparations, called TO Simon Girty,
who sat on horseback at distance OF
few yards from the fire. and asked II
the Iudians were going TO burn him.
Girty very coolly replied in the aflirma'
tive. Crawford heard the reply with
irmncss, merely observing that he
would bear it with fortitude.
When the poles had been burnt asun-
der in the middle, Captain Pipe arose
and addressed the crowd with great en-
ergy, and animated gestures, pointing
frequently TO Crawford, who regarded
him with an appearance OF unruiiied
composure. As soon rs be had ended
biz harangee, a loud whoop burst forth
from the assembled ,hrorg, and oil
made a rush for the unfortunate prison
or. For several seconds tho crowd was
So great around Crawford that knight,
who wal seated q little distance away,
could not see what they were doing but
in a short time they had sufficiently dif-
persed to give him view OF the Colo
mel His ears had been cut of, and the
blood was streaming down his face.
A terrible scene OF torture now com.
menced. The worriors shot charges Cf
powder into his naked body, commeuc-
ing with the calves Of bis legs, aud con-
tinulng 10 his neck. II was tie opinion
of Knight that no less than seventy
loads were discharged upon him. Three
OF four Indians by turns would take up
one Of the burning pieces Of poles and
apply the burning end to his naked
body, already burnt black with powder.
These tormentors presented themselves
on every side of him, so that whichever
way he ran round the post they met
him with the burning brands. Some
of the squaws took broad pieces Of
bark, upon which they could carry 6
quantity of burning cosls and hot ss,-
bers and threw them on him, so that In
short time he bad nothing but Goals
Of fire and hot ashes 10 walk upon!
In the midst Of these extreme tortures
Crawford called 10 Girty, and begged
Of him to shoot him through the heart.
"Dcn't you zee I have no gun colonel"
replied The white savage monster burst.
ing into o loud laugh, aud then, turn.
ing 10 an Indian beside hin, he Uttered
some brutal jests upon the raked and
miserable appearance OF the suffering
prisoner, and seemed delighted at the
horrible scene. The terrible scene had
now lasted more than two hours aud
Crawford had become much exhausted.
lie walked slowly around the stake OPP
on his fiery pathway, and 10 a low tone
of voice earnestly besougbt God 10 par
don all bis sins and have mercy on bis
sonl. His nerves had lost much Of
their sensibility and be no lobger
shrank from the 6rebrands with which
his tofmentors necessarily touched him.
At length be ssok in tainiing Ct ppon
his face and lay motionless. Instantly
all Indian sprapg Ipou his back, knelt
lightly upon one knee, made q circular
incision with his knife upon the crown
of bis head, and clappipg his knife be-
tween his teeth, tore the scalp of with
both hands Scarcely had this been
done when O wiihcred old hng mp.
preached with piece Of bark fall Of
Goals and burning embers. and poured
them upon the crown Of bs bead, now
laid bare to the bone. The Colonel
groaned deeply, arose and again walked
slowly around the stake. Nature, st
length, could endure no more, ard at Q
late hour in the evening he fell for the
last tine. and swesily welcomed desth
which at one stroke bore Colonel vii.
liam Crawford beyond the reach Of bis
tormeniors, and gave Wysndot county q
martyr Of whom sbe is justly proud.
-. ~ . o. a <,s, nan ,~s.-