The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-16
THE HALF-BREED CHIEFTAIN.
The Warrant for the Execution of Riel
Received by the Sheriff at Regina.
The Condemned Man Receives the News with
CEeerfulness and Says He Is Pleased
that the End Is Near.

REGINA, n W. t., Nov. 15.-The special
Governor.general of Canada, directing that the
execution of Louis Riel, leader of the Canadian
half-breeds in their recent rebellion should take
place in accordance with the verdict of the jury
which tried him. arrived here a special train
tonight. There is now no longer any doubt that
Riel will meet his fate on the scaffold at some
hour tomorrow. The arrival of the warrant
was surprise to even many of
the officials, who, owing to the late hour
and previous delays, had argued that another
respite would follow Riel received the formal
intelligence at o'clock to night, in his cell in
the guard room of the mounted police barracks
three miles west of this city. The intelligence
was conveyed to him in person by High Sheriff
Chapleau. The scene was IN many respects a
remarkable one. The famous rebels cell is i'm
mediately adjacent to the guard room Of the
troops doing night patrol duty, fully fifty of
whom occupied the room Through the
iron gate in front of the cell was the sentry on
duty, and outside of the building Gordon of
armed men were pacing their beats. The iron
gate was thrown open on the approach of the
high sheriff and Colonel Irvine. commandanJ of
the mounted police. representative of the
Associated Press was allowed. by courtesy, to be
present Riel, who had been conversing with the
surgeon of the post, arose and welcomed the
sheriff in hearty and thoroughly unconstrained
manner His voice is modulated and he displayed
no sign of excitement His initial greeting was:
"Well, and so you have come with the great an
nouncement; l glad" Sheriff Chapleau re-
piled that the death warrant had came. Riel,
continuing in the same CHEEKY way, said 81 am
glad that at last am to be released from my
sufferings." He then broke off into
French and thanked the sheriff for his
in English; II desire that my body shall be
given to my friends. to be laid in st. Boniface."
This is the French cemetery across the river
from the city of Winnipe The sheriff asked
him If he had any wish to convey as to the dis
position of his personal estate or effects. Mon
cher" he replied. Il have only this" touching
his breast above the region of the heart; this |
gave to my country fifteen years ago, and it
is all / have now" He was asked to his
peace of mind. He replied: Il long ago
made my peace with my God, and
am prepared now as | be at any time.
You will find that had a mission to perform. l
want you to thank my friends in Quebec for all
they have done for me-" He continued. in
permitted to say something the scaffold2" he
said. in a tone of inquiry. When told that he
would be allowed to. he said. smilingly: You
think I may speak too long, that it will unnerve
me. Oh no, shall not be weak. l shall feel
that when the moment comes, / shall have wings
which will carry me upward"
Then, reverting again to the French tongue,
and in the nimitable wayl for which he is,famed
to all those who have known him closely, he
spoke again of the kind remembrance he would
retain of those who had espoused his personal
cause. He closed by saying to Sheriff Chap
leau, as be he held out his hand to him in
parting: "Adieu mon ami" His eye was clear
and unfinching. and his bearing throughout was
such to evoke a sense of admiration by the
absence of any tremor of excitement If he
ever showed the white flag on any OCCASION he
succeeded in keeping himself admirably under
command in the presence of his approaching
fate. Here Andre, his spiritual adviser. arrived,
and he was left with him to celebrate mass.