The Benton weekly record., 1882-11-30

Brave Bears ExecsaeEoRa. !.

YAsKToN, Oak, Nov. l5-Brave Bear,
the Sioux Indian chief convicted OF MUIR
der of Joseph johnson, near Fort Srlly
May 10, 1876, was hanged to-day in the
Jail yard, the execution being private.
The Indian was taken from the jail to the
United States marshal's office and there
bound with straps, leaving his feet free SO
that he could walk to the scafold. After
his arms were tied he called for man
was could talk Inebian. An interpreter
who procured and Brave Bear had few
moments conversation with him in Sioux
language. lie made no confession, bat
did not deny the deed. He asked the in
terpreter to send word to his people to
make ne attempt to avenge his death, TO
kill no. horses, and omit all customary
mourning exercises. He also asked that
the message he had sent to his people be
conveyed to the President Arthur; that
the Great Father might know he had CIV
Ell good advice. At the conclusion OF nls
which he mounted with - firm tread and
stood upon the trap. The black cap was
drswn over his face, when Brave Bear bee
gan to weaken and it was necessary for a
couple Of officials to stand near, to sustain
him in his nervous agitation. lie caught
hold Of the dropping rope as it swung IN
front. Of hiln and clung to it with the nm
| gers of his pinioned hands. An officer re-
leased his hold and moved the rope back
out of his reach. a priest advanced to his
side, whispered few words Of prayer and
| then stepped back, and atal2 80 o'clock the
drop fell, the Indian shet through the
opening and as the rope pulled there was
cracking sound. lie struggled for few
moments, bur his end came quickly in Is
minutes. from the time the drop fell Brave
Bear was pronounced dead by attending
| physicians. Fifteen. minutes later the
body was cut down and delivered to an
undertaken who buried it in the Catholic
cemetery. This is the first instance All
Indian had been hung in Dakota for crime
against a white man. ..s.
| BRAVE BEARS CRIME. e.s.
Joseph johnson, who he'd long been in
employ of.the post trader 1t Cheyenne
river agency, and having saved nearly ST.
900 started In May, 1879, for the upper
James river, more than 100 miles distant,
where his mother and brother had made .
pioneer settlement. taking with hin the
savings ofsseyeral years hard labor. He
/ was a:quiet and ihoffensiye man, but he
was doomed to never reach his dcstina-
ton. His brother, becoming Uneasy at
his non-arriYa1, and knowing that he had
started, went to Fort Sttlllly5Eysand with the
assistance Of prrties there, raade search;
and some distance upon the prairie, found
the dead and putrefying body Of Joseph
Johnston, with bullet through his brain.
| His pockets were empty, and the horse he
had ridden, his revolver and rife were
| gone. Brave Bear was afterWard seen in
possession Of rife and horse which were
| identified as the property of Johnston.
just as steps were being taken for his aiS
rest he fed to the hostile camps, but was
compelled to come in when Sitting Bull
surrendered, when he was arrested and
tried for the murder. The evidence was
such at the trial as 70 leave no doubt of. bis
guilt. His own confession made secretly
to confidential friends, exhibited the blood
thirsty character Of the assassin, who laid
in wait for his victim. IIe Is known to
| have committed other crimes. He has:feW
sympathizers here in the West. When
Brave Bear was brought into court at the
time of his trial to hear, his sentence, he
looked upon the floor, sighed little, and
then touching his forehead with his finger,
said: 81 have brains and intelligence, and
know better than. to. point q gun alta
white man. The indian seemed to take
the sentence coolly, though he appeared
to be very seriouseall the. way through.
He made several Efforts to ztake=his own
| life. =sHss=s. -. :.
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