The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-11-16
PREPARING FOR DEATH.
Louis RieI Officially Notified He Must
Hang.
He Accepts His Fate With Remarka-
BILE Goodness.
The Execution to Take Place Today.

WINNIPEG, Man. Nov. 14.-Riel received let
ter from his mother and wife yesterday, written
on the eve of his expected execution. The moth
er believes in the divine mission of her son and
sends her blessing since his infancy. The letter
IS very pathetic and elected tears from the con-
denned man. On Monday Riel made a long
speech to Father McWilliams. His mission, he
said, was to purify the Roman Catholic church and
nIuSe new spirit in it. He grew so excited that
Col, irvine begged him to calm himself. Father
Andre is now locked within the cell at each of his
WSleatOns. Riel has made his VIII IN anticipation
OF ms execution. He leaves only small amount
o. 81 land In Montana, and his will is more OF po,
htleal harangue than anything else. He leaves all
ot ms writings to Father Andre, who still declares
MI & Denei thai Rie is insane and believes 5nat ne
VIII walk TO the Scatfold and die game. lie says
Scaffold
REGINA, Nov. ia special messenger bring
ing the warrant signed by the Governor General
directing that the execution of Louis Riel, leader
OF the Canadian half-breeds in the recent rebel
non; should take place in accordance with the
verdict OF the jury which tried him, arrived here
on special train tonight and there is no longer
any doubt that Riel win meet his fate sometime
tomorrow. The arrival of the warrant was SI :
PRISE even to the iofiiciaS who owing to the late
hour and previous delays had argued that another
respite would follow. Riel received the formal
intelligence at o'clock in his cell in the guard
room OF the mounted police barracks The intel
Ngence was conveyed to him in person by Sheriff
Chapleau and the scene was in many respects re-
markable. The famous rebels cell is immediate
ly adjacent to the guard room of the troops doing
hight patrol duty fully 30 of whom occupied the
room. Through the iron gate in front Of the cell
was seen an armed sentinel on duty and outside
the building Gordon of armed men were pacing
the approach OF High Sheriff Chapleau and l Col.
Irvine, commandant of the mounted police.
A representative Of the Associated Press was
allowed to be present by courtesy. Riel who had
been converSing with the surgeon of the post, well
coined the sheriff in a hearty and thoroughly I'M
concerned way, and d his wen modulated voice
greeting was 'sWell and so you have come with
the announcement. / am gladn Sheriff Chapleau
replied that the death warrant had come. Riel,
continuing in the same CHEEKY way, said: oI am
glad that at last am to be released from my suf-
ferings." He then broke off into French and
thanked the sheriff for his personal consideration.
He then proceeded again in English: 81 desire
that my body shall be given to my friends to be
across the Red river from the cty of Winnpee.
The sheriff asked him if he had any wishes to
convey as to the disposition of his personal estate
this touching his breast above the region of the
heart, . this gave to my country fifteen years
ago and it is all have to give now.n He was
ago made my peace with God and am as prepared
now as | can be at any time. You will find that
had mission to perform. want you to thank
me- me iei'''' s''s''' - 90 10y A"'0 NOi'0 -
He then continued in reply to another question
81 am willing to die. shall be permitted to say
something on the scaffold;" he said in a tone of
enquiry and when told that he would be allowed
to he said smilingly?' You think may speak too
long and that it will unnerve me. Oh noI shalnot
be weak; shall feel when the moment comes that
| shall have wings which will carry me upward"
Reverting again to the French tongue and in
the inimitable winning way for which he
is famed to all who have known him closely he
spoke again or the kind remembrance he would
retain Of those who had espoused his personal
cause He closed by saying to Sheriff Chapleau,
as he held out his hand to him in parting, "Adieu
mon ami" His eye was clear and unfiinehing
and his bearing throughout was such as to evoke
sense of admiration by the absence of any re-
morse or excitement.
OTTAWA, Nov. 15.-Advices from Montreal
state that the excitement among French Can
adams there over the execution Is great as it is
in this city, but there will probably be no dis
turbance.
MONTREAL Nov. ia fight over the Riel
question took place here late last night between
nationalities. During the disturbance one of the
men engaged, an Englishman drew revolver,
but it was snatched from him before any harm
could he dome