The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-11-17
RlEL EXECUTED.
The Leader of the Northwest Rebel
lion Calmly Faces Death.
The Event Creates Intense Excite
rnent in the Provinces.
A French Canadian Mob Parades
the Streets of Montreal.

A French Canadian Mob Parades
the Streets of Montreal.
REGINA N. W. T., Nov. 16.-Louis David Riel
was executed on the scaffold at the barracks OF
the mounted police for high treason against the
Queen of Great Britain at 1928 o'clock this morn
ing. His last hours were passed in the company
OF ms spiritual adviser, who performed masses
for him during the early portion OF the night.
Rlel then laid down and appeared to sleep sound
ly. He awoke at an early hour and again resum-
ed his devotions.
The same extraordinary precautions against
the possible escape of Riel, or the intrusion of
unauthorized persons into the barracks were OBJ
served this morning as have been maintained
since his conviction At mile from the bar
racks mounted patrols challenged all persons and
compelled them to show written passes. Two
other lines Of guards stationed at points
nearer the post, and there the same precautions
were observed. No one was permitted to enter
the guard room until S.12 a. m. Those who en-
tered then saw Riel on the scaffold with Pere An
DIRE and Father McWllliams with him celebrating
mass Riel was on his bended knees, wearing
loose woOlen Surtout, gray trousers and wo0len
shirt. On his feet were m0ccasns, the only fea-
ture of his dress that gave hint OF his Indian
ancestry.
He had received notice to proceed to the
scaffold in the same composed manner as he had
shown on the preceding night on receiving news
Of his fate. His face was full of color and he ap
peared to have complete self possession, respond
ing to the service in a clear tone. The prisoner
decided only moment before starting for the
scaffold not to make speech: This was owing to
the earnest solicitation of both the priests attend
ing him. He displayed an inclination at the last
moment to make an address, but Pere Andre re-
minded him of his promise, and he then arose and
walked toward the executioner repeating his
prayer to the last moment, the final words escap
ing being 'Iferci Jesu." He died without strug
Not more than 20 persons were admitted within
the walls of the barracks to witness the execu-
and despatch. His body was taken in charge by
coroner, and the verdict usual to all state execu-
tions was rendered.
Except the prelate who visited him. it was the
fate of Louis Riel that none of his former compan
ions, either of his political or personal friends
found their way to his cell; and beyond the an
nouncement 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.
Since his trial and conviction in July he had
been confined in the guard room of the Canadian
the open prairie, three miles west Of Regina
RiePs prison was a long wooden structure, one
story in height, with a long slanting roof and
The two reliefs of guard occupied rooms in the
front portion of the building while six sentinels
paced UP and down continuously outside. the
building. Another sentinel paced in front of the
cell OF the condemned halfbreed, and precautions
extended 50 far that an officer Of the guard was
compelled to visit, and certify that he had visited
his prisoner, each quarter hour. To prevent any
attempt at rescue, which might be made by his
countrymen in Canada or from over the American
border, ninety men were told off Saturday night
for special guard duty, and last night even this
number was increased. Videttes occupied COM
manding points mile from the barracks, and
double Gordon was maintained about the camp
proper
and possibly never was captive during the full
period of his imprisonment less in need OF watch
ing in his outward department. Whatever his
character may have been in the field as martial
leader OF his countrymen, in prison Rie has fallen
little short of religious devotee. Soon after his
capture by the Canadian troops, he professed to
throw off his allegiance to the Roman Catholic
church, and took the guise of prophet, claiming
to see visions and foretel events. Lately, as his
fate seemed more surely settled, he has sought
comfort again of his original faith, and his con-
slant and almost inseparable companion for the
past two weeks has been Pere Ausen, from Fort
Albert
REGINA, Nov 16.-The scaffold had been erect
ed within contracted enclosure, Immediately in
the rear of the guard house, and the only view of
it was through window Immediately under a |
rafter The Last Sacrament was taken by the |
condemned within the guard house proper, and |
near the opening which led TO the scaffold He re-
sponded to the prayers with full and clear voice,
while on his bended knees, and 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 IL me opening I,
ed away from the few civilians and soldiers who |
stood about theiopening.
the deputy sheriff asked if he had anything to |
say when Riel turned to his confessor, Pere An |
Dire and inquired "Shall not say few words ?" |
no. quickly replied the priest in French;
make this your last sacrifice and you viii be re-
warded."
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 re- |
peating his prayers.
to attempt any address upon the Scafold and
suggested that reprieve might still be on its |
way, but this idea Riel strenuously repulsed. He
said lie Knew his hour had come and that he was |
not only prepared but that he would not have 1t |
any Other way as nothing but the alternative of |
prison for life awaited him. and to him death was
preferable to that.
During the night he addressed a letter to his |
mother and TO his sister which touched upon the |
to his will specifying that he desired his body to |
be laid by the side Of his father in ST. Boniface |
ried out and Pere Andre will go there with RiePs |
remains within few days. His body was inferred |
continuously during the night employing the writ
ten prayers of the church and then again praying |
re s reGds ana n e Sed States s W6eT
he declared most of them were, and again for his |
friends in Quebec, He also prayed for his law.
yers, speaking of their efforts in his behalf and OF
their going to England for him.
The attending father told him that it was his |
so'' and at once began to pray in English for the
premier of Canada, but in his oblaton he asked |
that the government might soon be relieved from |
lie partook of a light repast at IL last night but |
ate no breakfast which caused him to show at |
he afterwards 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 quiyer as the |
drop fell and his death was pronounced 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 together he car |
ried them to open stove fire and thrust them in,
watching them until the flames had devoured |
them. He then returned to his cell and his de- |
VOtionS
Itwould be difficult at this time to gauge the |
sentiment clearly in the Northwest as to Riel. |
The expressed views are almost entirely unfavor- |
silent upon the topic. majority OF the resident
population believed he deserved death, and this |
is undoubtedly especially true in Manitoba Here |
where he was tried there was some expression of |
sympathy for him.
The execution Of Riel is to be followed at |
Battleford by the hanging of ten Indian chiefs for
atrocities committed during the recent rebellion, |
and in each instance for murders committed and |
this Will close the book OF criminal procedure
growing out of the Northwest war, as the other |
persons convicted were given prison sentences, |
all of which are now being served out.
The executioner of Riel was man named Jack |
Henderson, who was a captive OF RiePs in the |
rebellion of 1870.
ERiel as Patriot and Prophet.
The Rev. McWilliamS has in his possession |
series of letters written by Riel within the past
ten days, which serve as a partial index to his |
character, and his claim to being patriot and
likewise prophet. RieIs handwriting is bold |
and moderately regular. He handed Father Nc |
Williams the following, November g. four hours |
before he heard of his respite:
REGINA JAIL, n. w. T., Nov. 8.
On the 4th of November 1885, it was revealed |
to me, s'Your death is repreved There are ten |
lawyers" On the 9th in the morning it was said |
to ME from above "The council will meet Tues |
day ON your Indictment"
(Signed,) LOUIS DAVID RIEL.
These events transpired as he indicated in his |
paper All the letters are signed Louis "David' |
Riel the word David invariably being quoted
The following letter was written, the reverend |
gentleman said, while Riel was laboring under |
excitement:
| am most acknowledging towards you, my /
God for having fulfilled the promise which you /
never fully made to me through your beloved SER 4
want Ignace Bourget, that you would not aban-
don me on account of the mission which you have /
goodly given me to fulfil in all points.
(Signed) LOUIS DAVID hIEL.
The following was written the same day:
REGINA JAIL, Nov. A. 1885.
For assisting to alleviate the wrongs % s. OF my
countrymen am to be- but will not say 1t; |
for having done all could to better the condition