Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-04-18
THE INDIAN MOHAWK.

The following is the confession OF the
Indian Mohawk, hung here on March
22d, 1914. 1t is taken from copy oil
the Democratic Herald of this place OF
date April 10, 1874. as then published
in the same by the late Rev. Gottlieb
Bassler. Rev. Bassler was the prin-
cipal spiritual adviser with Mohawk
while he lay in prison here and prepar-
ed the whole of the following narrative,
the first part of which, signed &c. d"
being intended as an introduction and
explanation of what follows.
From what has lately appeared in
the CITIZEN in connection with this
terrible murder of the Wigton family
by this Indian, nothing further need
be added here, as the following explains
itself.
HIS CONVERSION.
"The following is the confession OF
Samuel Mohawk, taken down from his
lips on the Thursday evening previous
to his execution. The third person is
used instead of the first for various
reasons, as it would have been impossi-
BILE to give his own language in many
cases, as frequently his meaning had
to be gathered from signs and explana-
tons which could not be conveyed on
paper: this form Of writing is likewise
more convenient. The substance, how
ever, of his own expressions is given
as near as the writer was able to do 1t
intelligibly. He maintained to the
| last that he was "crazy." That he
| labored under some unusual and
strange excitement of mind during the
whole Of that eventful period which in
tervened between his leaving Butler in
the stage and returning a prisoner, ad-
mits of no doubt. How far this would
extenuate his guilt, each one will, no
doubt, Judge for himself. Of the truth
of the narrative, as far as Samuel Mo-
hawks recollection served him, the
writer hus no doubt. Being frequent
ly with him, he had good opportu-
nifty to become acquainted with his ex-
ercises of mind after his Imprisonment.
He always appeared docile; seemed
very grateful for instructions, and anx-
ious to profit by it. He appeared from
the very first thoughtful and serious;
but only after his trial did he manifest
much contrition for sin. For some
time he seemed bowed down on ac-
count of his transgressions; felt as he
| expressed it every bad" In reading
the Gospel of Luke which had been
procured for him in the Seneca tongue,
| be met with the incident of the young
man coming to Christ and asking what
he must do to be saved. He saw that
he had broken Gods law and deserved
death, eternal death; or. as he express
ed it, "to go to bad place" He was
pointed to the Lamb of God, and as we
humbly trust, looked up in faith. He
gave many pleasing proofs of being re-
newed by Gods Holy Spirit. He
earnestly desired to profess Christi and
short time before his execution he
was baptised in the prison in the pres
ence of few witnesses. There was
no alarm manifested by him in view of
his speedy and dreadful end. On the
day previous to his execution and on
the morning of the day itself, he convers-
ed as usual, though there was more
solemnity in his appearance and con-
duct than there had been previously.
He engaged with much earnestness in
the religious exercises that were held
with him in his cell, especially those
that were held with him Immediately
before he was led out to the scaffold.
When he led in prayer himself, which
he did at the close of the exercises in
the CELL be seemed to pour out his whole
soul before God. AS the awful hour
arrived he manifested no unwilingness,
no hesitation, and made no delays.
He was very particular in having
everything properly adjusted. On the
scaffold he seemed to engage earnestly
in the religious exercises.
Ofsinging he was fond, often en-
gvging in it in his cell. When the
hymn was sung on the scailold, he
sang also, the hymn having been ex-
planned to him previously. When the
hymn had been sung, he was asked
whether he had anything more to say;
he answered, "guess not" which was
common phase with him. lie then
added, "me ready" He bade adieu to
the Sheriff, the attendants, and his spir-
itual adviser with much affection. When
he shook hands with the writer he
smiled, as he usually did on meeting
him in his cell, and said, "me see you, y
casting his glance upwards. When be
rose from his seat, when the rope was
adjusted, when the cap was drawn
and during the eventful moment which
intervened before the drop fell, he was
calm and evinced not the slightest trep
idation as far as the writer was able
to observe.
Such was the life and such the deatt
of this remnant of peeled and NJ
doubt oft-wrorged people. We nigh
ask here what was the immediate
cause of all this crime, suffering, ex
citement, exb sense, and of the fina
dreadful catastrophe. The answer
comes to us in solemn, warning voice
!. Alcohol.n This is what made of San
Mohawk, first vagabond; this caused
: him to wander from his home; thi
|, stirred up the devil in him, and excited
the devils without him, TO urge him oil
to the dreadful deed for which he for
feited his life. The vender of the "ire
water made few shillings or dollar
ut most; the State of New York receiv
ed something for the license; but wha
price Seven lives! Leaving al
expense and waste Of time out OF GU
calculation. Where is the guilt?
] g. Il.
MoHAwK's CONFESSION.
:, Samuel Mohawk was born Decen
| / IL Il Ill.