Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-11-16

~ e'Ns
He rallied the sheriff when the
latter suggested that he should
not speak too long. You think L
will speak too long; that L viii be I'M
nerved. Oh, no At the last moment |
Will be firm" There was a trace OF the
French pathos IN his accent which did
not lessen the charm of his speech. HIS
beard was of a dark brown, and neat
ly trimmed, his hair was brushed back
from his high forehead with tendency to
curl, in contrast to the straight hair Of
his Indian p~rogenitors; nose slightly
Roman; skin dark, but not swarthy.
Looking at him and witnessing his
manner it was easy to discern the in
Huence he had with his people. His
address was that of q skilled
courtier and his college training had
never deserted him in the perfection
and grace OF his speech, oil the more re-
markable in contrast to that of his fol-
lowers. While it has been charged that
he showed a lack of spirit on the battle
field or in the presence of danger, no
one would uTgo it against him i'll wit.
Messing the nonchalance in his bearing
and suavity of speech in acknowledging
the fiat Of his doom. The savage strain
in his blood stood by him as be made
his final plea, hat he was urged on his
career by the motive of q patriot. ~
have only this" striking his breast, tc
leave and this l rendered to my country
for fifteen years and L am willing to give
it now" Beyond the prelate who visited
him it was the fate of Rel thai there
were nom of his former companions
either from political or personal fear
that found their way to his cell, and be
yond the announcement of the various
stages Of his trial he had no knowledg.
of passing events or the criticism pass
ed uponl bis. career. His concluding
hours were passed in the sole company
of his spiritual advisor, who performed
the masses for him during the early por
ton of the night. Riel then laid dowl
and appeared to sleep sorndly, awake
ing at an early hour again and resumin,
his devotions.
! Some extraordinary precautions wer
taken against the possible escape o
Rel. The admission into the barrack
by unauthorized persons was denie,
again this morning. At a mile from th
/, barracks mounted patrols challenge
!, all persons and compelled them to dis
) close their written passes. Two othe
lines of guards were stationed at point
near the post, where the same precar
tions were again sobserved.
/ ON Il SCAFFOLD.
II No one was admitted Int
/ the guard room until 1922 o'clocl
, and then the scene presente
was that of Riel on the sea.
fold with Pere Andre and Fathe
McWilllams with him celebrating mas
Riel was on his Bonded knees wearing
wooden surtout, gray trousers and wool
|. len shirt. On lis feet were mocassins
the only feature of his dress that pa,
, took of the Indian. He received tn
notice to proceed to the scaffold in til
same composed manner shown the prt
ceding night. On receiving the waln
ing of his fate his face was full of colo
and he appeared to hav,
complete self possession, responding t
the service in a clear tone. The pris
, oner decided, only a moment befo,
starting for the scaffold, not to make
r speech. This was owing to the earneI
solicitation of both the priests attend
/ ing him. He displayed an incljnatio
. at the last moment to make an address
but Pere Andre reminded him of h
i, promise and he then arose and Wake
? toward the executionsr repeating b
prayers to the last momen
the final words escaping hir
r being "mercy, jesus He died withol
a struggle. Not to exceed twenty pc,
I sons were permitted within the confne
. of the barracks to witness the executio
and it was certainly performed with d.
! corum and despatch. His body WI
: taken in charge by the coroner and th
verdict usual to all state executions wa
rendered.