Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1885-12-04
The End Of the Riel Rebellion.

Wandering Spirit, the real author of |
the Frog Lake massacre, was defiant and !
said he feared not tu die. If he had an
opportunity again he would act precise
ly as he had done. He asked, no favors
from the queen and he wanted none.
The pale-taces were his enemies. and lie
would just as soon die as live among
them. He expressed regret that he had |
not succeeded in taking his life when he
made the attempt here shortly after his
capture. The priests We're with the
prisoners all night. talking with them on
spiritual matters, but they accomplished
nothing. and when the sergeant of the
guard entered the guard room at 7:45
o,ctock this morning the prisoners were
ready to die ut once, and several ex-
pressed pleasure ut the prospect of being
so soon dispatched Under a strong
mounted-policeg guard, after having their
arms pinioned. they marched III process
sion to the scattold, which was erected
within the palisade surrounding the fort.
The gallows. which had been satisfactor-
lily tested. was Il formidable loking
structure built Of massive timber. 1t
was large enough to accommodate the
entire lot, who mounted the ladder lead
ing to the trap doors one after the other.
They all appeard in good humor except
Wandering Spirit and Miserable Man.
who looked gloomy and defiant. They
took tneir repectNe places upon the
eight traps. The scene at this time was
Il novel and unusual one; eight strap
ping Indians standing upon the death
traps, with ropes about their necks. AS
they stood there, while the priests
prayed, they chanted the death song
peculiar to their tribes. When they
were asked if they had anything to
say, Wandering Spirit began to speak in
his native tongue acknowledging that he
deserved death. lie warned his people
not to make war OH the whites. as they
were their friends lie told of the Frog
Lake massacre. and took the burden Of
the crime upon himself. He was fol
lowed by Miserable Man. who spoke i'm
ded. the ssvages. who lad remained
quiet throughout the speeches except to
eNclaim How at various periods during
Wandering Spirits address. when they
coincided with his views, then began to
chant their death song, to show that
they did not fear death. All the while
priests could he heard reciting prayers.
The chanting of the savages continued
even after the white caps had been
adjusted.
TIE FINAL ACT.
1t was now fifteen minutes past 8, the
prayers were over and the vast crowd
was waiting with breathless anxiety.
The inspector of police raised his finger
and the hangman. little half-breed
from the neighborhood who gloats over
such scenes, gave the lever SWING;
quick as flash the bolts shot back. tile
trapdoors changed. and the eight Indians
fell crashing through the holes and were
seen dangling at the ends of the ropes:
The majority whose necks were not
broken by the fall, continued to writhe
as if i'm the greatest agony for a cOsidera-
BILE time. but the knot was about their
necks. and soon their own weight drew
the life out of them. 1t was terrible to
see them kick and writle, and to hear
the gutteral sounds proceeding from
them, but it did not last long. They
were allowed to hang half All hour, when
all were pronounced dead, and then cut
down. The usual formal post mortem
and inqllest was held. and the customary
!. verdict returned. The Indians who
witnessed the death of tleil companins
were deeply impressed, by what they saw.
The execution mast have been witnessed
by thousand people. including Indians.
No disturbance occurred.