Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-11-19


scatfold in 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 self-poesession, responding TO
the service In clear tone. The prisoner
| decided only moment before starting
for the scaffold not to make speech.
This was owing to the earnest So
licitation of both the priests al
tending him. He displayed an inclination
at the last moment TO make an address,
but Pere Andre reminded him of his
promise, and he then rose and walked
toward the exeoutioner, repeating his
prayers to the last moment the final
words escaping being Merci Jesu." He
died without struggle. Not more than
20 persons were permitted within the
confines of the barracks to see the execu
ton, aud it was certainly performed with
decorum aud dispatch. His body was
taken in charge by the coroner, and the
verdict usual to NIL state executions was
rendered.
The New York HeralFs special report
of the hanging thus graphically paints
the scatfold scene:
Father McWilliams kissed the doomed
man, who said, II believe in God TO the
very last"
TO the very last," replied Father
Andre.
YES" said Riel, 81 believe and trust
Him. Sacred heart of Jesus have mercy
upon me-" he continued.
DIR. Jukes then stepped forward and
shook hands with the prisoner, who said in
English, doctor, thank you for every
thing you have done for me-" Then he
said, Jesus, Marie, Joseph, assistez-moi
en- ce deruier moment" Then Deputy
Sheriff Gibson stepped up to him and
said, "Louis Riel, have you anything to
say why thesentence of the court should
not be executed on your" Contrary to
expectation, and doubtless prompted by
his spiritual advisers, Riel answered
NO" and then continued to pray in an
inaudible tone. ALI being ready two
minutes further were given him to pray,
and he repeated the Lords prayer. The
priests prayed with him, too, and Father
McWilliams was asked to repeat the
Lords prayer aloud.
When the words ''Lead us not into
temptation" were reached the deputy
sheriff gave the signal to the hangman,
who sprang the lever, and rs ''deliver us
from evil" was uttered Riel shot through
the trap, the door of which changed
underneath, giving all sudden start. A
sharp jerk WIS heard, and looking down
the hole the form of the leader of the
half-breeds in the Northwest WIS seen
dangling at the end. The rope bud been
placed with the knot under the left ear
but with the jerk the knot moved up to
the base of the skull. For the first mo-
ment or two the body was quiet, except
that it swayed n triie to and fro. Sud-
denly, there was nervous twitching all
over it, and the knees shot up to the alb
domen. This was repeated three times,
but the last time they Strengthened out
slowly. A violent tremor shook the body,
and all was quiet.
:" He's dead now," said DR.. Jukes q
minute and half later. The heart ceased
to beat in half minute more, and in two
minutes circulation hnd entirely ceased.
The drop was nine feet, aud as the rope
was properly adjusted the neck was
Z broken. The body was allowed to hang
half an hour, at the end of which time il
,, was cut down and placed in rude coffin
! beneath the scaifold. The features were
terribly distorted, and caused severa
4, vino looked thereon TO turn faint The
u result of the post norton examination by
, DIR. Jukes was as follows; 1.-THE execu
l ton was most cleyerly performed From
y the moment he fell, Judging from tn,
, nature Of the injuries received, he mus
have been entirely without sensation
The neck was entirely dislocated from
= the bone of the two upper JOINTS of tn
. vertebrp, thus paralyzing ull the lowe
2 portion of the body. He could have fel
no pain whatever. The circulation cease,
{ in four minutes, an unusually short time
No a l,n ~
4 RECEPTION OF THE NEWS.
N QUEBEC, Nov. 16.-The excitemen
" here over the hanging of kiel is alinos
ie 'eyond all restraint. A flag was hoste
l. ut half-mast upon the Canadian Office
is and some English spenking citizens VIII
felt aggrieved at this came near TO bein
IN roughly handled. Flags decked wit
is mourning emblems are also displayed
lie and many men have Grape on their hat
IN and around their coat sleeves.
m Tonight 2U0 or 800 students, with thei
an friends, have been marching through til
IN streets shouting, "Glory to ltiel' an
* cursing the 0rangemen. Crowds al
or gathered near Sir Hector Langevin
rs house, in st. Louis street, and it is feared
he they intend mischief in that quarter. III
IN police, however, are on the alert and NJ
IS,
to have been distributed to all passers-b,
he calling on them to meet tonight. Thet
MS bills are headed in large letters and rea
lis as follows:
MS "Riel hanged! The infamy consun
mi mated The triumph of Orangemen oy,
ly Catholics and French Canadians. The
ms will be this evening, at jacques Cart,
se Market place, meeting of ull Frencl
lie Canadians OF the city of Quebec to pr
", test against the terrible murder committt
re- this morning by Sir. John MucDonnl
in Sir. A. p. Curron and Hon Mr.. Chaplea
ne Let every one of you be Mt your post /
ms night"
m Mayor Lagelier left the city this NOR
to ing on professional business, and il w
m be impossible for him to return to-nigh
ISIS except by special train. However, il
re-, believed that he has left some one to act
Ter his place in case of riot. ''B" bate
his and the other soldiers on garrison du
Oh ut the citadel have not been allowed o
his all day, and are held in readiness for NJ
IN emergency.
Oh A meeting of the st. Jean Baptis
lie Society was held this afternoon, and
his resolution passed ordering the preside
ly, to have their national flag draped
ne mourning and hoisted ut hnlf-mast (
TX eight days.
his The French citizens residing in St.Jol
suburbs have decided to close the
vas houses and business establishments ~
lay attend church en- masse to sing solen
led service for the repose of Riels soul.
ler
m Natural Gas Causes Had Fire.
'as PrrrsBURG, Pa, Nov. 16.-A speci
,La from Kittanning, Pa, says the pub
-; school building, three-storied bri
IN IN structure, WIS entirely destroyed by Fl
us last night. Loss. 100000 Natural g
so- is supposed to have caused the fire.