Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-17
Louis David Riel Meets His Doom
by the Strong Arm of
the Law.
His Execution Took Place at a2S A. n.
4onday-He Walked to the Cal
lows Calmly and Died With
out a Struggle.

O'Clock this morning.
HIS last hours were passed in the company
OF his spiritual advisers, who performed
masses for him during the early portion of
the night. Riel then laid down snd appeared
to sleep soundly. He awoke at an early
hour and again resumed his devotions.
The same extraordinary precautions against
the possible escape of Riel, or the intrusion
of unauthorized persons into the barracks
were observed this morning as have been
maintained since his conviction. At a mile
from the barracks mounted patrols challeng-
ed all persons and compelled them to show
written passes. Two other lines of guards
were stationed at points nearer the post, and
there the same precautions were observed.
No one was permitted to enter the guard
room until 8.l2 A. NJ. Those who entered
then saw Riel on the seaffdld with Pere An
dre and Father McWiliiams with him cele-
brating mass. Riel WAS on his bended knees
wearing loose woolen surtout. grav trou-
sers and wO0len shirt. 'On his feet were
moccasins, the only feature of his dress that
gave hint of his Indian ancestry.
He had received the notice to proceed to
the scaffoid in the same composed manner as
he had shown on the preceding night on re-
ceiving news of his fate. His face was full of
color and he appeared to have complete self
| P'o"', AScPouoAub " tuC ocIVICc III u
clear tone.
The prisoner decided only moment before
starting for the scaffold not to make a speech.
This was owing to the earnest solicitation of
both the priests attending him.
He displayed an inclination at the last mo-
ment to make an address, but Pere Andre re-
minded him of his PROMISE and he tEen arose
and walked toward the executioner repeating
his prayers to the last moment. the final words
escaping being ''Merci Jesu." He died with
out struggle.
Not more than twenty persons were admit
ed within the walls of the barracks to witness
the execution, and it was certainly performed
with decOrum and despatch. His body was
taken in ch irge by coroner, and the verdict
usual to all state executions was rendered
Except the prelate who visited him, it was
the fate of Louis Riel that there were none
of his former companions, either of his po-
litical or personal friends, who found their
way to his cell; and beyond the announcement
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 mounted police. Their barracks
are located in the open prairie, three miles
west of Regina
| Mel pTieOu was lOuk WOOueu structure,
one story in height, with long slanting roof
and small windows under the ewes grated with
iron. The two reliefs of guard occupied
rooms in the front portion of the building,
while six sentinels paced up and down con-
tinuously outside the building. Another
sentinel paced in front of the cell of the con-
demned half breed, and precautions extended
so far that an officer of the guard was COM
PEELED 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
of Saturday night for special guard duty, and
last night even this number was increased
Videttes occupied commanding points mile
from the barracks, and double Gordon was
maintained about the camp proper.
| Never was a captive more zealously guard
ed, and possibly never was a captive during
the full period of his imprisonment less in
need of watching in his outward department.
Whatever his character may have been in the
| field as a martial leader of his countrymen, in
prison Riel has fallen little short of a relig-
ious 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 foretell events. Lately, as
his fate seemed more surely settled, he has
sought comfort again of his original faith,
and his constant and almost inseparable COM
panion for the past two weeks has been Pere
Andre, from Fort Albert.
The scaffold had been erected within
contracted enclosure Immediately in the rear
of the guard house, and the only view of it
was through a window Immediately under a
rafter. The last sacrament was taken by the
condemned man, within the guard house
proper, and near the opening which led to
the scaffold. He responded to the later
prayers with full and clear voice while on
his bended knees. When the moment came
for him to rise to have his arms and hands
pinioned, he kept looking up, slowly repeat
| ing his prayers. He then walked through
the opening and down the narrow stairway
with his face turned from the few civilians
and soldiers, who stood about the opening.
When about to take his place on the trap,
the deputy sheriff asked him if he had any
thing to say. He turned to his confessor,
| Pere Andre. and inquired, ''Shall say few
wsrds?" "No," quickly replied the priest in
French. "Make this your last sacrifice and
you will be rewarded" Riel turned and re-
marked in English, 81 have nothing more to
say" There was some delay in adjusting
the moose, but Rel didn't remark upon it and
as the white cap closed over him. he was to
be heard distinctly repeating his prayers.
During the night, Pere Andre urged upon
Riel not to attempt an address upon the scaf-
fold, and suggested that reprieve might
still be on the way, but this idea Riel strenu
ously repelled. He said he knew his hour had
come and that he was not only prepared but
he would not have it any other way as moth
ing but the alternative of prison for life
awaited him, and to him death was prefera-
BILE to that.
During the night he addressed letter to
his mother and to his sister. which touched
upon the affection he bore them. He added
a codicil to his will, specifying that he de-
sired his body to be laid by the side of his
father in St. Boniface cemetery at Winnipeg,
which request will be carried out. Pere
Andre will 60 there with Riers remains with
in q few days. His body was inferred today
underneath the scaffold. He prayed almost
continuously during the night, employing the
written prayers of the church and then again
praying extempore iu French and English.
He directed prayer to his friends in the
United States, where be declared most of
them we're; again for his friends in Quebec.
He prayed for his lawyers, speaking Of their