The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1885-11-20

PORTRAIT OF REIL.
REGINA, N. W. T., Special Telegram, Nov.
l6-The deed is done. At precisely S:23
this morning Louis Riel shot through the
rap from the gallows at the mounted police
barracks, and two minutes later he was a
lead man. His last days have been indeed
days of trouble and fearfu' suspense. One
day he was ]reprieved and the second 1t was
announced that he would hang, sure. This
uncertain state of affairs continued up till
the last moment, almost, when the govern
ment, as if in desperation, finally decided to
take the leap that may prove its political
death knell. We're it not for the fact that the
gaIlows which had been used to hang Connors
was still in existence, it is more than proba-
BILE that the execution could not have taken
place, as up till last evening, when the war
rant for the execution arrived on a special
train, officials did not believe the death SEN
tence would be carried out; but soon after
the train arrived all was hustle and contu-
sion. Hurried preparations were made for
carrying out the execution. A rude coffin
was constructed and sent up to the barracks,
and there was general excitement 1t was 8
o'clock Sunday evening when Sheriff Chap
leau, accompanied by several press repre-
Bentatives, went to the doomed mans cell to
break the terrible news to him. He had spent
most of the day in devotion with his spirit
ual attendants, but he acted as if a heavy
load was at his heart, and it seemed as
If he had himself given up ali hope of escape
from the terrible fate which had been over
Ehadowing him since his condemnation.
Passing through the room where there were
some fifty police, the party entered Riel's
cell. During the interview which followed,
the most of which has been already tele-
graphed, Riel asked: SHALL 1 have twenty
four hours?" Sheriff Chapleau replied that
he would not. Riel said:
am satisfied. l desire You to send my body
TO my friends, TO be laid in st. Boniface. l also
want you to thank my kind friends in Quebec
for their efforts in my behalf, and they will now
See l had a mission to perform.
THREATENED A LONG SPEECH.
He told Pere Andre he should speak tour
hours on the scaffold. DR.. Dodds, coroner.
summoned a jury of six to sit on Riel's body.
A coffin and temporary grave were also pre-
cared. After the sheriff and others left Riels
cell the prisoner, with whom Pere Andre
remained, was naturally somewhat excited
at the actual knowledge that he was so soon
to die, but after the lapse Of half an hour he
gained down and seemed more resigned to
his fate than he has been since sentence was
passed upon him. He did not retire Sunday
night at all, bat remained up, praying most
Of the time, and conversing with Pere Andre.
He went over the events of the two rebel
ions, and said, while he admitted having
made mistakes. he always had the good OF
his people at heart and he could die with a
,laar oanuoia,ao Ahn,rf 4 4 ofnInal he fnoI~ bio
est meal on earth. 1t consisted of three
raw eggs and some bread and tea. Once only
did he lie down to rest, but it was but for q
lew minutes.
Father he exclaimed, Il cat rest anv more. !"
I am too near the end of life here, but / fear not
TO die, because ! have made my peace with God.
At 5 a m. Pere Andre. assisted by Father
McWilliams, celebrated mass, and at z
o'clock administered the last sacrament TO
Riel. Riel prayed in his cell until five min
utes before Deputy Sheriff Gibson notified
him that the time had come.
TO THE scAFFoLD.
Supported by the two priests, Riel walked
with a steady step from the cell, which is
the first on the right OF the corridor, through
the guard room to the ladder, which he
mounted without q sign of weakness. Capt
White Frazer was In charge of the guard at
the scaffold, consisting OF twenty police. He
was preceded by the deputy sheriff, sup
ported by the priests. The hour fixed for
tho execution was 3 O'Clock, but it was ff-
teen minutes past that hour before those
who had passes from the sheriff were
admitted to the guard room. Here
was found the prisoner kneeling on the fioor
Of the upper room from which he was to step
To the 0nliOwg It was a sad scene Around
him were gathered numbers of mounted
police, Sheriff Chapleau. Deputy Sheriff Glib
son, press representatives and others. The
room, naturally dark. was illuminated only
with q small window, through which the
SUM-. now risen but a few hours. shot q few
bright rays The Pickering OF the small wax
candles which the priests held in their
hands serve TO make the scene more
weird and terrible. Iliel walked down
the left to the aperture leading to
the scaflold with firm step. He was not un-
manned in the slightest degree, but with
head erect he shot out bold g.ances as II OF
defiance at those who could Kill the body but
who could not destroy the soul. Before pass
ing out On to the scaffo.d, a signal was given
and the party stopped. The priests and Rie
kneeled TO pray. Ricl's clear voice could be-
heard above that OF the priests. repeating
the prayers OF the Roman Catholic church
used in cases OF death. Hhe litany