The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-17


this" striking his breast ito leave, and this |
rendered to my country fifteen years ago, and
am willing to give it now" Beyond the prelate
who visited him, it was the fate of Riel that
there were none of his former companions, either
from the political or personal field, that found
their way to his CELL and beyond the announce
ment of the results of the various stages of his
trial, he had no knowledge of passing events or
of the criticisms passed upon his career
His concluding hours were passed in the sole
company of his spiritual adviser, who per-
formed masses for him during the early portion
of the night. Riel then laid down, and appeared
to sleep soundly, awakening at early hour
and again resumng his devotion
The same extraordinary precaution against the
possible escape of Rel, the intrusion into the
barracks by unauthorized persons, was!observed
again this morning. At mile from the bar
racks mounted patrols challenged all persons,
and compelled them to disclose a written pass.
Other lines of guards were stationed at points
nearer the post, where the same precautions
| were again observed. No one was permitted to
enter the guard-room until 8:12 o'clock. The
scene presented then that of Riel on the
scatfold, with Pere Andre and Father McWill-
Jams with him. celebrating mass Riel was
on his bended knees, wearing a loose
woolen surtout, gray trousers, and woolen shirt
on his feet were moccasins-the only feature Of
his dress that partook of the Indian that was in
him. He received the notice to proceed to the
scatfold in the same composed manner shown
the preceding night on receiving the warning of
peared to have complete self poss ession,
spending to the service in clear tone.
The prisoner decided, only a moment before
starting for the scaffold, not to make speech.
This was owing to the earnest solicitation of both
the priests attending him. He displayed an in
clnation at the lastmoment to make an address,
but Pere Andre reminded him of his promise,
and he then arose and walked toward the execu-
toner, repeating his prayers to the last moment,
the final words escaping him being 'merci Jesu."
a n n
twenty persons were permitted within the con-
fines of the barracks to witness the execution,
and it was certainly performed with decorum
and dispatch. His body was taken in charge by
the coroner, and the verdict usual to all state
executions was rendered.
The scaffold had been erected within a con-
tracted inclosure, Immediately in the rear of the
guard house, and the only view Of it was through
a window Immediately under rafter. The last
sacrament was taken by the condemned man
within the guard house proper, and near the
opening which led to the scaffold. He responded
to the Latin prayers with full and clear voice.
while on his bended knees When the moment
came for him to rise to have his arms and hands
pinoned, he kept looking up, slowly repeating his
prayers. He then walked through the contract
ed opening, and down the narrow stairway, with
his face turned away from the few civilians and
soldiers who stood about the opening. When he
was about to take his place on the trap
the deputy sheriff asked if he had any
thing to say He turned to his confessor, Pere
Andre, and inquired: 'Shall I not say a few
wordsp NO" quickly replied the priest in
will be rewarded" Riel turned and remarked,
in English, II have nothing more to say" There
was some delay in adjusting the moose, but Riel
did not remark upon it, and as the white cap
closed over him, he was heard distinctly repeat
ing his prayers.
During the night Pere Andre urged upon Riel
not to attempt an address upon the scaffold and
suggested that reprieve might still be on its
way, but this idea he strenuously repelled. He
said he knew his hour had come, and that he
was not only prepared, but that he would not
have it any other way as nothing but the alter
native of prison for life awaited him, and to
him death was preferable to that During the
night he addressed letter to his mother
and to his sister, which touched upon
the affection he bore them. Pere Andre will go
to Winnipeg with Riers remains. within a few
days. His body was inferred to-day, under the
scaffold He prayed almost continuously during
the night he directed a prayer to his friends
in the United States, where he declared most of
them were, and again for his friends in Quebec.
He prayed for his lawyers, speaking OF their
efforts in his behalf, and of their going to Eng
land for him. The attending father told him it
was his duty to pray for his enemies. He replied,
THAT is So" and at once began to pray in En-
glish for the Premier Of Canada, but, in his
prayer he asked that the government might
soon be relieved from his rule. He partook of
light repast at II o'clock, but eat no breakfast,
which caused him to show, at one time, this
morning, some signs of faintness, but. after
wards, he completely recovered from this,
and displayed no effort in mounting the
ladder which led to the attic of the guard house,
on his way to the scaffold There was barely a
quiver as the drop fell, and his death was pro-
nounced an easy one.
During the early hours of the morning he
gathered up all his papers, which covered his
desk, embodying the supposed visions he had
seen and his prophecies, and asked the privilege.
from the officer of the guard, to destroy them.
This was allowed him. and, gathering them to-
gether, he carried them to an open stove fire and
thrust them in, watching them until the flames
had devoured them He then returned to his
| cell and to his devotionS
| 1t would be difficult at this time to gauge the
sentiment created in the Northwest as to
| Rlel. The half breeds are unusually
silent upon the topic. A majority
of the resident population believed he
deserved death. and this is undoubtedly specially
true in Manitoba. Here, where he was tried,
| there was some expression of sympathy for him,
and at times the declaration that he right in
his demands, as they had nearly all since been
| granted to the half-breeds.
The execution of Riel is to be followed at Bat
tleford by the hanging of ten Indian Chiefs for
atrocities committed during the recent rebellion
and in each instance for murders committed.
This will close the book of criminal procedure
growing out of the Northwest war; as other
persons convicted were for prison sentences.
The executioner of Riel was a man named Jack
Henderson, who was captive of Riels in the
rebellion of 1870.
SOME OF RIEL's WRITINGS.
Rev. Mr. McWilliams who assisted Father
Andre in his attendance upon Riel during his
last hours, and who was classmate of the rebel
at Montreal College, in 1860, is of the opinion
that Riel was insane, and so expressed himself to
a representative of the Associated Press to-day.
In this belief he addressed a letter last Monday
to the Governor general of Canada, citing his
firm conviction, and saying that while he deemed
Riel dangerous person, and one who should be
confined for life, according to his belief, if the
sentence of death was carried out, his blood
would be upon the head of his Exceilency Lord
Lansdown and his immediate advisers He ad
dressed similar letter to Sir John A. MacDon-
aid, Prime Minister of Canada Rev. McWill-
Jams has in his possession series of letters