The Mineral argus., 1885-11-26

Louis Ricl, the Noted Leader OF che
Iialf.Brred Rebellion, Executed
According 20 Progra mnmse.

The following account of the execu
ton Of Riel is copied from the st. Paul
Globe:
"The warrant was a surprise to every
man of the officials, who, owing TO the
late hour and previous delays, had
argued that another respite would fol
low. Riel received formal intelligence
ut O'Clock, in his cell i'm the guard
room Of the mounted police barracks,
three miles west of this city. Intelli-
gence was conveyed to him in person
by High Sheriff Chapleau. The scene
was. IN many respects, n remarkable
one. The famous rebel is placed in !.
cell Immediately 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 armed sentinel ON
duty, and outside of the building "a
Gordon Of armed men were pacing
their boats. The iron gate was thrown
open ON the approach of the high
sheriff and Col. Irvine commandant Of
mounted police. A representative of
the Associated Press was allowed by
courtesy to he present. Riel, who had
been conversing with the surgeon of
the post, arose and welcomed the sher-
III in a hearty and thoroughly uncon-
strained way. His voice was modu-
lated and displayed no signs of excite
ment. His initial greeting was: "Well,
and so You have come with the great
announcement? | am glad" Sheriff
Chapleau said that the death warrant
had come. Riel, continuing in the
same CHEEKY way, said: 81 am glad
that at last ! am to be released from
my suffering" He then broke Off into
French and thanked the sheriff for his
personal consideration. He proceeds
again in English: 81 desire that NV
body shall begiven to my friends. to be
laid in st. Boniface." This is the French
cemetery across the Red river from
the city of Winnipeg. The sheriff
asked him if he had any wishes to
convey as to the disposition Of his per-
sonal estate or effects. "Mon cher"
replied he, II have only this, touching
his breast above the region of the heart. |
This | gave to my country fifteen |
years ago. and it's all | have TO give
now" He was asked rs To his peace of |
mind. lie replied, 81 long ago made |
my peace with my God and am H. pre-
pared now as ! can he ut any time. |
You will find that | had u mission to |
perform. | want you to thank my |
friends in Quebec for all they have
lone for me. He continued to reply /
% another question, IL am willing to /
90. j shall be permitted to say some
hing on the scaflold ?" he said in "A tone
,f inquiry. When told that he would
90 allowed to, he said smilingly: "You
hink may speak too long, that it vii!
me? Oh, no, ] shall not he
weak. ! shall feel that when the mo-
nent comes | shall have wings which
will carry me upwards" Then return
ng again to the French tongue, and in
he inimitahle way for which he is
lmOus to all those who have known
i'm closely, he spoke again of the kind
he would retain of those
iho had espoused his personal cause.
lie closed by saying to Sheriff Cba,,-
eau, as he held out his hand To him in
artlng, "Adleu, mon ami" His eye
'as clear and unlllnching, and his bear
~ throughout was such as to evoke n
eise Of admiration by the ahsense of ,
ny trace Vi excitement. /
THE EXE,ITION. {
Riel did not retire Sunday night at '
II, but remained up, praying most Of d
le time, and conversing with Perc
ndrc. He went over the events of
ne two rebellions, and SAID, while he
limited having made mistakes, he
ways had the good Of hi, people at
cart and he could die with clear =
Dnscience. About IL O'Clock he took ;
Is last meal on earth. II consisted of a
lree raw eggs and some bread and tea. "
nee only did he lie down To rest. but
was only for a few minutes. n
Father" he exclaimed, II can't rest ,
~ more. am to near the end of !,
fe here, but fear not to die. because u
have made my peace with God"
At "a. m. Pere Andre, assisted by
ather McWilliams, celebrated mas.
nd at Z o'clock administered the las, ]
'crament to Riel. Ricl prayed in his 1