Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-01-03
INDIAN JUSTICE.
How Executions are Managed among
Them.


The execution of Chester Dixon, con.
victed OF murder of a recent term OF the
Circuit court of the Choctaw nation,
took place in the presence of but a
small number OF people. Chester
Dixon, tha murderer, was q young full
blo0ded Oh ctaw, about seventeen years
OF age. He was subject to fits, during
which he often lost control OF himself.
He was, aside from the malady, consid-
cred rather bright boy. Dixon lived
with his mother and stepfather, about
five miles from Atoka. Their nearest
neighbors werc an Indian known as
Washington, and Martha, his wife.
One afternoon, about a year ago, Wash.
ington returned from Atoka, and found
that horrible murder had been COM
mittod. The body of his wife lay on
the floor Of his cabin in ghastly frag-
ments. The head severed from the
body and several terrible gashes had
been inflicted with all ak The bloody
instrument of butchery lay beside the
bleeding victim.
The alarm was given, and it was dis
covered that Dixon was seen issuing
from the fated house, covered with
blood. He was arrested, but stoutly
denied the killing. He was tried ac'
cording to the Choctaw law by a com.
petcnt Jury. He was found guilty, and
sentenced to be shot. He was allowed to
go home from the courtroom unre'
strained except by his parole OF honor to
be at the cort.houSe at Atoka at the
hour appointed for his execution.
Choctaw iaw5 provide for no appeal,
else his crse would have been recon
dercd, for after his conviction he was
attacked with fit, which proved con.
ciUsively that lie was subject to tenn.
porary aberl0'ion, during which it is
presumed he was irresponsible for his
actions. His attorney during the trial
had not made any such plea, and the sem
Cence of deatAhaving been pronounced,
it was unaltcrable. On Thursday
Dixon came to Atoka'with his stepfather
for the purpose of ordering his coffin.
He had his measure taken, and gave the
orders for the disposition of his body
without the least appearance of con-
Germ.
On Friday morning about one hun.
dred per'ous, most OF whom were white,
gathered about the court house to
witness the execution. Up to within an
hour OF the appointed time Dixon
had not appeared, A reporter asked
his companion whether there was not
some likelihood OF the prisoner breaking
his parole.
"lt he is alive he will be here within
ten minutes, just as sure as the sun
Shines"
Scarcely had the words been spoken
when mUrmUr OF Here he comes !"
was heard on all sides, and there rode up
young fellow, slight of build, tall and
straight, bnt rather awkward in his move.
ments. Alighting from his pony, tho
boy approached n little knot OF Indian
women who We're gathered about
blazing log, Without giving any atten-
lion to those about him, he sat down
by a stump, and hanging down his head,
he seemed lost in meditation.
Presently a venerable old Indian ap.
preached the boy and spoke to him in
CAoctaw, bidding him, as the interpre.
ter said, to meet his ate as became u
Uhoctaw brave to remember that
nothing but lis Ii o would atone
for the life he had taken, and not to
max the eXpiation grudgingly, but to
meet his death feeling that his people
had done justice in condemning him.
While the old man was talking, Dix.
on held his head down, but at the
conclusion looked up, held out his hand,
and in the hearty grasp he gave the old
mans hand, seemed to imply that he
would not falter, and he never did
throughout all. Several men and
women then came up aud shook hands
with him. He looked up at each one
with glance Of recognition, but never
spoke word.
At about quarter OF twelve o'clock
the sheriff, William Nelson, brought the
doomed boy an entire change of cloth
ing, which he put on. While Dixon
was dressing for the grave, eager eyes
watched his every motion, to discover,
If possible, the least sign Of emotions
but he adjusted every button without q
sign of tremor; he then sat down on
blanket while his mother combed his
hair.
The sheriff then announced that the
time had come. Dixon arose and
walked to the spot pointed ou- by he
officer, and stood facing the coffin. His
steptather held his right hand, and his
cousin supported him on the left. The
same old man who had spoken to Dixon
before now made a mark with chak
upon the boys breast, just over the
heart, and spoke few words OF en-
coumgement. The sheriff then bound
handkerchief over Dixon's eyes,
commanded him to kneel, and imme-
diately thereafter beckoned to man
who had until then kept out of sight.
This was Abner Woods, cousin of the
condemned Dixon had chosen him to
do the shooting.
Abner advanced, and, taking his
position about five PAGES from the boy,
he leveled his Winchester rifle, took
steady aim, and fred. The bail went
to the mark. Almost simultaneously
with the report of the rifle Dixon fell
forward, uttered a groan, and died with.
out struggle.
The mother of the dead boy took
charge OF the remains, which were
buried by few friends. The entire
proceedings passed Oft without SEM
blance of excitement. Everything was
conducted properly and decorously. As
contrasted with the civilized (?) mode
Of punishment, the Choctaw method is