The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-11-21
Riel Hanged.

/ Louis DAVID HlGl was executed on
the scaffOld at the barracks of the
mounted police force, near this city,
for high treason against the Queen of
| Great Britain. at S;23 O'Clock this
morning mountain timel.
Extraordinary precaution against
the possible escape of Riel, or the in.
trusiOn into the barracks of unauthor-
| lied persons, was observed this morn
! ing. At a 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 Drecau-
tons were again observed. No one
was permitted to enter the guard
room until SIP O'Clock.
The scene presented then was that
of Riel on his knees, with Pere An
Dire and Father McWilIiams with
him celebrating mass, Riel wore
loose wooden surtout, gray trousers
and wooden shirt. On his feet were
mOccaSins, the only feature of his
dress that partOOk of the Indian that
was on him. He received the notice
to proceed to the scatfoId with the
same composed manner shown the
preceding night on receiving the
warning of his fate.
His face was full of color and he
appeared to have complete selfpos,
session, responding to the service in a
clear tone. The prisoner decided only
a moment before starting for the scat
fold not to make a speech. This was
owing to the earnest solicitation of
both priests attending him, He dis
played an inclination at the last mo-
ment to make an address, but Pere
Andre reminded him of his promise,
and he then arose and walked toward
the eXecutiOner, repeating his pray
ers to the last moment, the final
words escaping his lips being" Merci,
Jesu." He died without a struggle.
Not more than 20 persons were per-
mitted within the confines 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 ex-
ecutiOns was rendered.
Louis Riel was born at Fort Garry,
Manitoba, in 1914. He was a fair
haired, blue-eyed half-breed, who
might readily have passed for a full.
bloOded white man. He became
protege of Archbishop Tache, of Mon.
treal, and was educated for the priest.
hood, but was refused ordination.
He found his way back to Fort Gar
ry and led the half breed rebellion of
1869. This grew out of the half
breeds being deprived of their river
frontages. The revolt was put down
by Lord Wolseley, then an obscure
colonel. Riel was banished for five
years, and the haIf-breeds were vot-
ed 240 acres of land as compensation
for the loss Of their river frOntagps.
He returned after the expiration of
his term of exile, Ond was elected to
the Dominion Parliament. but was
not permitted to take his seat.
The rebellion, for participation or
Indictment of which he was executed
this morning, grew out of the Metis
or half-breeds of the Saskatchewan
region being excluded from the grants
made to those of Manitoba in 1869.
The lands in the former section were
laid out in blocks, and the half.
breeds deprived of river frontage.
Riel, in their behalf, demanded that
their rights be respected, The de-
mand was refused and the insurrec
ton followed.
The revolt was of brief duration
and was put down by Maj, Gen.
Middleton, with Canadian troops,
Riel was taken and tried at Regina,
Northwest territory. He was tried
by jury of six, before two justices,
but was not formally indicted. This
Irregular court recommended him to
mercy. His friends made an appeal
to the British Privy Council, but to
no purpose. 1t was cOntended that
he was insane. The physician of the
prison at Regina avOWed his belief in
his insanity. He was reSpited, hut
the Dominion authorities finally con-
cluded to let the execution proceed.
The French-Canadians condemn his
execution almost to a man, and the
sentiment Of this country is that he
was irregularIy tried and unWarrant-
ably hanged. Toe half-breeds de-
rived their rights under the old Hud-
son Bay Company'5 regime, but these
were not respected after the Domin.
ion government came into posse sion
of the Northwest Territory.