The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-11-26
EVENTS OF THE DAY.
Rlel Hanged.

Riel Hanged.
At 1923 o'clock, the morning of the 10th
Louis Riel, the leader OF two Canadian re
bellions, was hanged at Regina, Northwes
Territory. The last days Of the distinguish
ed rebel were marked by great suspense
and uncertainty, hope Of reprieve and
communication Of his sentence, at one time
having possession OF him, to be quickly
followed by period Of hopelessness and
dependency. This uncertainty was con
tinued almost up to the momen,
Of his final taking of, when the government
AZ il in a fit of desperation decided to brave
results and carry out the sentence. Sc
slow was the government in reaching thi.
decision, that it is stated had not thu
gallows which had been used to hang
Connors, was still in existence, the execu
tion would have been delayed beyond tht
hour named in the warrant for execution
The news of the final decision OF the
government ordering his execution wal
conveyed to Riel hy Sheriff Chapleau
accompanied by several newspaper
representatives, at s o'clock Sunday
evening. He had spent most Of the day in
devotions with his spiritual attendants, but
he acted as IL q heavy load was of hi
heart, and Frightened up perceptibly, and
declared himself satisfied. After the sheriff
and those who accompanied him had re
tired, only his spiritual adviser remaining
Riel gave way for a short season of ner
vous excitement, but soon quieted down
and talked quietly with his spiritual ad
wiser, reviewing the prominent incident.
of his life, admitting having
made mistakes, but claimed he hac
always been actuated by desire to serve
his people. He never closed his eyes during
the night, which was largely passed in re
ligious devotions. At II p. m. he sat dowr
to his last meal on earth, which consisted
Of three raw eggs, some bread and tea.
At q. m. Pere Andre, assisted by Father
McWilliams, celebrated mass, and at
o'clock administered the last sacrament tt
the condemned man. Riel continued his sup
plications in his cell until minutes befora
the officers entered to escort him to tn,
scaffold. Supported by two priests Rie
walked with steady step from the cell
through the guard room to the ladder
which he mounted without sign of weak
ness, and with head erect he shot out bolt
glances as il in defiance. The scaffolt
reached the priests and Riel kneeled il
prayer, Riel's clear voice being heart
above those of the priests, repeating tn,
prayers Of the Roman Catholic church
At the end OF these services moisture wa
observed in Riel's eyes, but soon recover
ing himself, and Strengthening his form Il
his full height, he said firmly in French
''Gentlemen, am ready; do your work.
At signal from the deputy sheriff, tn
hanglnan appeared from the gloom of tn
corridor. He was masked and presented ,
repulsive spectacle. Riel's hands and fee
were soon bound, his eyes in the meantim
instinctively resting on the fatal noos
dangling before him. Then the moose wa
adjusted, and Riel stepped upon the trap
as he did SO repeating, '.In God put m.
trust.' Before the hangman adjuste'
the white cap the sheriff stepped up t
Riel, and asked, s'Louis Riel, have you any
thing to say before the sentence of th
court is executed upon yous" For mo
ment Riel was silent, and then to the SUI
prise of all, he answered in firm voice
'.No.' He was givon two minutes
prayer, in which in reply to the exhorta
tions of the priests, he answered, 81 believ
in God to the very last, yes, to the yer.
last" He then shook hands with his ply
sician and thanked him for hi
services, aud the priest com
menced the Lords prayer. A
this time the suspense was terrible. Whe
the words LEAD us not into temptation
were reached, the deputy sheriff nodded +
the hangman, who struck the spring wit
q sledge hammer, the bolt was sprung an
Louis Riel was dangling in the air. TIL
drop was nine feet, the fall breaking tn
neck Of the victim instantly. At the en-
Of two minutes his heart ceased to beat
and the doctor pronounced Riel dead. Afte
remaining half an hour the body was Gu
down, the coroner and jury went through tn
form of setting on the dead body, and tn
remains were enclosed in rough coffir
and buried in a temporary grave near tn
gallows. According to his request tn
body is to be removed eventually to Wiz
nepeg and buried by the side Of that Of hi
father. The news Of the execution was n
ceived quietly throughout the country, bu
there is deep feeling among the Frenc
Canadians.