The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-17

sible escape OF Riel ar The intrusion into
tho barracks of unauthorized persons wa,
uiservei Monday morning. At a mia
from the barracks mounted patrols chal-
lenged all persons and compelled them 10
disclose written passes Two other lines OF
guards were stationed at points nearer the
, post where the same precautions were
again observed.
No one was permitted to enter the guard
room until S:l2 O'clock. The scene pro.
sented then was that Of Eiel on tho scatfold
with Psre Andre onl Father McWiliams
with him. celebrating mas. Riel was on
his bonded knees, wearing loose wooden
eurtOut, gray trousers, and Il SWOLLEN shirt
On his feet were moccas.ns, tt-, only feat
ure of his dress that partook of tho Indian
that was in him.
He received tho notice to proceed to the
scatfod with the same composed manner
shown the proceeding night on receiving
the warning of hi, fate. His face was fun
If color and he appeared to have complete
,cf-po5session, responding tc the service in
clear tone.
The prisoner decided only moment be-
fore starting for the scaifoid not to make a
speech. This was owing to the earnest
solicitation OF both priests attending him
He displayed an inclination at
the last moment to mako an address
hut Pere Andre reminded him of his
promise and lie then arose and walked
toward the cXaCltoner, repeating his
prayers to the last moment, the final words
escaping him being: "Merci Jssu'
lie died without struggle. Not to ex-
coed twenty persons were permitted within
the confines of the barracks to witness the
pxecution, and it was certainly performed
with decorum AMI Dispatch. His body was
taken in charge by the coroner, and the
ward irJ u,ull all sti ~ pynrutiDns ~
rendered.
Whatever Eiers character may have been
IN the field us martial leader of his
countrymen, in prison he has fallen little
short of u relgeue, His time has been de-
voted assiinously to prayer. Even when
given his constitutional exercise On open
ground adjoining the guard room for an
hour each morning he las paced back and
forth with his hands clasped together in
front, his head bowed, with prayers issuing
from hi lips in either the French India
Cree tongue
Soon after his capture by the Canadian
troops he professed to throw OIL his alleg
lance to the Roman Catholic church AMI
took the guise OF "A prophet, claiming to sec
visions and fors,ilins events. Iatterly,
rs his fate seemed more surely sealed, lie
ha, sought comfort again of his original
faith, and his constant and almost only
companion for the past two weeks has been
Pere Andre, from Fort Albert close to the
The churchman's visits have been twice
daily, and in his Dsence Riel was frequently
kneeling at his couch i'll prayer The
mander of hi. time has been spent in writ
ing out predictions of the future and a de-
Tense of his conduct in leading the half
breeds twice to war. These papers have all
been intrusted to Pore Andre and will
doubtless be produced at some time in tha
future, although the prelate refuses to sur
render them now.
No one no matter what his credentials
was permitted to pass through the guard
room to see the prisoner in his cell, and inn
mediate friends of the condemned man
even did not see him, though no restrc ton
was placed upon them He received a few
days ago a letter from his aged mother
which affected him visibly, but at no other
time during his confinement did he show
any signs of the weakness which was i'm
puted to him after his capture by the Cana
dian scouts.
The strict privacy of the prisoner was
broken down for the first time when a rep
resentative Of the Associated Press was per-
mitted to visit the prisoner in the COM
pany of the high sheriff and the command
ant of the mounted police. This was on the
occasion of the formal announcement that
the death warrant had arrived.
The charm of the rebels manner was I'M
deniable. He anticipated what the sheriff
would say in his own greeting: well, you
have come with the great announcement |
am glad" He spoke slowly, but very dis
llnctly, LOOKING ab Tue SneFlll WIFI e r6SO
lutte eye and without a tinge of braggadocio
He rallied the sheriff when the latter sug-
gested that he should not speak too long
"You think will speak too long-that will
he unnervei. Oh, moi at the last moment
| will be firm
There was trace of the French patois in
his accent, which did not lesson the charm
of his speech. His board was dark brown,
neatly trimmed, and his hair was brushed
back from his high forehead with ten
dency to curl in contrast with the straight
hair of his Indian progenitors His nose
was slightly Roman and his skin
and witnessing his manner it was easy to
discover the cause of the influence he had
with his people, His address was that of a
skilled courtier, and his college training
had never deserted him in the perfection
and grace OF his speech, all the more re-
markable in contrast to that of his follow
erS.
His concluding hours were passed in the
sole company of his spiritual adviser who
performed masses for him during the early
portion of the night Riel then laid down
and appeared tn sleep soundly awaking at
an early hour again and resuming his
devotions.