Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-26

OF passing events or the criticism pass
ed upon his career, His concluding
hours were passed in the sole company
of his spiritual adviser. RieI laid
down and appeared to sleep soundly,
wakening at an early hour agoin,
and resuming his devotlons. The
same extraordinary precaution against
the possibl esdape of Rel or the intru-
sion into the barracks of unauthorized
pers ons was observed again this morn
ing, At . mile from the barracks
mounted patrols challenged all per-
sons and compelled them to disclose
written passes. Two other lines of
guards were stationed at points near
er the post, where the same precau-
tons were again observed, No one
was permitted to enter the gaurd room
until SIP o'clock
The scene presented then was that
of Rel on the scaffold, with Pere
Andre and Father McWilliams cello
brating mass Rel was on his Bonded
knees, wearing a loss surtout. gray
trousers and a WOODEN shirt. On his
feet We're moccasins-the only festure
OF his dress that partook of the Indian
that was IN him. He received the no
tlce to go to the scatf0id in the same
composed manner shown the proceed
lag night. On receiving the warming
of his fate his face was full of color,
and he appeared to have complete
self-possessIon, spending 10 the SER
vice in 4 clear tone. TIE prisoner
decided only moment bsfore start
ing for the scaffold not to make a
speech. This was owing to the earn
est solicitation of both the priests at
tending him. He displayed an in
ctInation at the last moment to make
an address, but Pere Andre reminded
him of his promise, and he then arose
and walked toward the execntIener,
repeating his prayers TO the last mo-
ment, the final words being ''Merce
Jesu," He died without a struggle.
Not to exceed twenty persons were
permitted within the confines OF the
barracks to witness the execution, and
it was certainly performed with decor
um and dispatch. His body was
takon In charge by jhe coroner, and
the vercict usual to all state exscu-
tons was rendered. The remains
were then inferred under the scaffold.
In few days they will be removed
to St. Boniface Cemetery.
1T seems that the want OF entire
success with steel sleepers on some OF
the English railways has led to the
substitution Of an article it is thought,
will meet the deficiencies hitherto ex
perienced. According to the new
system, the metallic sleeper is rolled
to the requisite trough-like section
Under each rail is a sole plate to
strengthen it there. The chair is
formed of two jaws made of steel plate,
stamped into form and ribbed gener-
ally so as to give strength to resist
the pressure of the wedges. The jaws,
sole plate, and sleeper are united by
rivets passing through the three
thicknesses- The iron sleepers that
these are intended to take the place OF
were sufficiently elastic and did not
rust sensibly, but, being weakened by
the large holes necessitated by the
Character of the fasteninso, and those
holes being situated on either side of
the rail just where the strain on the
sleepers was greatest, the latter were
continually breaking there, thus rem
dering it obvious that the ackno wiedg
ed advantages of metal sleepers must
be realized under an improved sys-
tenn.