The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-07-22
Burned at the stake.

On the 10th of June, the Pioneer As
sociation, of Wyandot county, Ohio, OBJ
served the one hundredth anniversary Of
the burning, at the stake; by the Indians
of Col. William Crawford He was cap
tured by the Delaware Indians and the
warriors decided he must die But before
they could carry out their decree it wa:
necessary to obtain the consent Of the wy
andots. The Delaware Indians were ten.
ants-at-will in the Wyandots' country and
burning at the stake was an obsolete Gus
tom with them. Without the consent Of
the Half King the captors of Col. Crawford
did not dare to infict the death penalty.
A messenger, bearing belt of wampum,
was sent to the Half King, with the fol
lowing message sc Uncle We, your
nephews. the Lenni Lenape (the Indian
name of the Delawares), salute you in a
spirit of kindness, love and respect I'm
elel We have project in view which we
ardently wish to accomplish if our uncle
win not overrule u.s. BY returning the
Rampum we will have your pledged word ,
Half King, concluding it was contempla-
ted expedition Of Delaware war party in
tending to strike some of the white settle
ments, returned the belt to the Messenger
saying Say to my ncphews they have
my pledge. This was death warrant to
the unfortunate Crawford.
As soon as the feet runner had returned
from the Half Kings village with the now
torture-empowering belt of wampum. Col.
Crawford was hurried forth to his place of
torture. II was on the l1th day 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 Half Kings town. and men,
squaws and children from the Delaware
village, over which Captain Pipe ruled A
fire was brightly burning. Crawford was
stripped naked and ordered to sit down
upon the FIRE The Indians now beat him
with their fists and sticks. The fatal stake
la post about fifteen feet high-had been
set firmly in the ground and piles of hick-
ory poles, thicker than mans thumb and
from eight to twelve feet long, lay at the
distance Of four or Eve yards from the stake.
Grawford's hands were tied behind his back
A strong rope was produced. one end of
which was fastened TO the ligature between
his wrists and the a-A-r 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. Craw-
ford observing these terrible preparations,
called To Simon Girty, who sat on horse
back at distance Of few yards from the
ere, and asked If the Indians were going to
burn him Girty very coolly replied in the
Affirmative. Crawford heard the reply
With hrrnness, merely Observing that he
would bear il with forsitude When the
poles had been burned asunder in the mid
de 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 APP
pcarance Of unrufied compcsure As soon
as he had ended his harangue loud whoop
burst from the assembled throag and all
made rush for the unfortunate prisoner.
Vixen they lela him his ears were gone and
blood was streaming from the cruel wounds,
A terrible scene Of torture now began.
The warriors shot charges of powder into
his naked body. commencing with the
calves Of his les and continuing to his
neck. Three q four Indians BY turns
would taks up one Of the burning pieces Of
pole and apply the burning end to his naked
body. already burnt black with power.
These torrnenters presented themselves on
every side Of him, 50 that whichever way
he ran round the post they met him with
the burning brands. Some Of the squaws
took broad pieces ofNbark, upon which they
could carry quantity of burning Goals and
bot cnhers, aud threw on him 50 that in
short time he had nothing but Goals Of FIRE
and hot ashes 10 walk upon In the midst
Of these extreme tortares, Crawford called
10 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 laugh, and then
turning 10 the Indian beside him he utter
ed some brutal jesss upon the naked and
miserable appearance Of the suffering pris
ones and seemed delighted st the horrid
scene. The terrible scene had now lasted
more than two hours, and Cawford had
become very much exhausted. He walked
slowly around the stake upon his iery path
way, and in low tone ef voice earnestly
be.sossght tsed 70 pardon all his sins and
have mercy on his soul His nerves bad
lost mnch Of their sensibiiity and he no
n =
longer shrank FROM the fire brands with
which his tormentors touched him At
length he sank in faintina fit upon his
face and Ay naosioHless instantly an Indian
spraag upon his back, knelt lightly on bis
knna, made circular incision with his knife
upaa the crown Of his bead and, clapping
The knife between his teeth, tore the scalp
of with both hands Scarcely had this
been done than withered ald hag ap.
proaehed with piece Of bark full Of coals
and burning esnbers and poured themupon
the crown Of his head, now laid bare 70 the
bone. The Colonel eruslned 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. s.a