The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-11-19
REL EXECUTED.
THERBbEL LEADER REMARKS FIRM
TO THE LAST, AND
DIES GAME.
Full Account of How He Passed
the Last Hours of
His Life.
No Speech on the ScaffOld, and
His Lips Uttered No thing
but Prayers.
Disposition of tho BOdy-Ef-
feet of the Execution on
FrencII>Canadians.


FrencII>C canadians.
REGINA, N. W. T., November 16.-Louis
David Riel was executed on the scaffOld at the
barracks of The mounted police force, near
this city, for high treason against the queen OF
Great Britain, at 1923 O'Clock this morning,
mountain time.
ttiel had been confined In the guard room OF
the Canadian mounted police barracks, whose
headquarters is located on the open prairie,
three miles west of here, ever since the Con-
clusi0n of his trial in the month OF July. His
trial and sentence occurred in this city, which
is the capital of the vast territory stretching
north as far as Alaska, west to British Column
bia, and known as the Northwest territory.
The territorial council meets here, and it is
likewise the official residence of the resident
lieutenant-governor and other high appOintlve
Dominion officials.
The leader of the half breeds in their
two revolts against the authorities of the Can
adian government has been kept under the
closest surveillance by a force of mounted po-
the imperial council of Great Britain to grant
an appeal on behalf of Rel to overthrow the
verdict rendered against him, the espionage
has been made Stricter than ever, both to guard
against the escape of their state prisoner and
to prevent
ANY ATTEMPT AT RESCUE
which might be made by his; countrymen in
Canada or over the American border.
day night and last night even this number was
increased, videttes occupying commanding
positions mile from the barracks and a dGu
Bile Gordon about the camp proper.
The prison of Riel is long wooden Struc
ture, with long slanting roof. and small win
dows under the caves. grated with II on. The
two reliefs OF the guard occupy rooms In the
front portion of the building, while six senti-
nelS placed up and down the continuous out
side structure. Another sentinel paced in
from of the cell of the confined half-breed, and
the precautions extended so far that an officer
of the guard was compelled to visit and certify
he had visited his prisoner each quarter OF an
hour. Never was captive more ZealouSly
during the full perfod 81 bis h Imprisonment less
in need of watching. In his outward deport-
ment-whatever his character may have been
in the field as martha leader OF his country
men-in prison he has fallen little short OF a
''religieuse." Ills time has been devoted as
StitutiOnal."
for an hour e.ch morning. he has
paced back and forth, with his hands ciaSped,
together in front, his head bowed with prayers
Issuing from his lips, yo!eed in French or the
the Canadian troops, he profeSsed to throw OFF
his allegiance to the
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
and took the guse of a prophet, claiming to
see Wis Ons and foretelling events. Latterly,
as his fate seemed more surely sealed, he has
sought comfort again of his original faith and
his constant ard almost only companion for
for the past two weeks has been Pere Andre,
from Fort Albert, close to the scene of the re-
cent rebellion.
The churchman's visits have been twice
daily and in his absence Riel was frequently
kneeling at his couch in prayer. The remain
der of his time has been spent in writing pre-
dictiOnS of the future and the defence of his
conduct in leading the half breeds twice to war.
These papers have been entrusted to Pere
Andre and will doubtless be produced at
sometime In the future, although he declines
to surrender them now.
No one-no matter what his credentials was
was permitted to pass through the guard
room to see the prisoner in his cell. and the
immediate friends of the condemned even did
not see him, though no restrictions was placed
letter from his aged mother with affected
him ViS1Oly, but at no ether time during his
confinement did he show any signs Of that
weakness which was imputed to him. After
his capture by Canadian scouts the strict pri-
vac, of the prisoner was broken down for the
first time yesterday when represe ntative OF
the associated press was permitted to visit
him in c9mpany with the high sheriff and
conspa2n &.2lnt Of the mounted police. This
was on OCCASION OF iho inIUfliai ;2iinounce-
ment thalt his
DEATH WARRANT
had arrived The collcduy which ensued was
iembraced in last nights dispatches. The
charm Of the rebels manner was undeniaDle.
His beard was dark brown, neatly trimmed,
and his hair was brushed lack fir, m his fore
/ straight hair of his Indian progen1torS. His
nose was slightly Roman and his skin dark but
not swa thy oklng at nm ana t wisa f9isn
he had with his people. His address was that
| of a skilled courier, and his college training
had never deserted him In the periect1 and
grace of speech was all the more remarkably
| in contrast to that of his followers. While II
has been charged he has shown lack OF
spirit on the bait efeld or in presence OF dan
ger, no one would urge 1t against him witness
/ ing the nonchalance of his bearing and his
suavity of speech IN acknowledging the nat Of
his doom:
blood, it would be conceded, stood bin well as
he made his final plea, that he was urged on II
| his career by the motives OF o patriot:
have only this" striking his breast; Ito leave
and this / rendered to my country fifteen year:
| ago. and am wall to give it nOw."
Beyond the prelate, who visited him, it was
the fate OF Riel that there were none OF hi
former companions, either from political OF
personal fields, that found their way. to hi:
! CELL and beyond the announcement OF the vart
GUS stages of his trial, he had no knowledge
of passing events, or Of the criticisms passed
| upon his career. His concluding hours Wert
passed in the sole company OF his spiritua
| adviser, who performed masses for him during
| the early portion of the night. Rlel then la1(
| down and appeared to Sleep aOundlS aFahint
at an early hour, and again resuming his de
| voiions.
! The same extraordinary precautiou agains
| the pos Sible escape of Riel, or intrusion int
| the barracks by unauthorized persons. wa
| observed again this morning. No one was per
| mitted to enter the guard room until 81
| O'Clock. The scene preSen ed then was that o
| Riel on scaffOld with Pie' Andre aud Fathe
| McWilliams with him celebrating mass. RE
| was on his Bonded knees, wearing. lOos
| wooden surtout. grey trousers and woolel
| shirt. On his feet were mocasins, the onl.
! feature of his dress that partoOk Of the Indial
that was in him. He received the notice t
proceed to the scaffold in the same compose
manner shown the preceding night. On re
ceipt of the news of his fate his face was full Q
color and he appeared to have complete sell
possession, responding to the service in a elea
tone.
| STARTING TO THE SCAFFoLD.
The prisoner decided only a moment befor
starting for the Scaffold not to make speech
| This was owing to the earnest solicitation
both priests attending him. He displayed a
inclination at the last moment to make an az
dress, but Pere Andre reminded him of b
promise and he then arose and walked toward
the executi0neT, repeating his prayers to III
| last moment, the final words escaping him b
ing ''merci Jesu." He died without stIul
gle. Not exceeding twenty persons were pc
mitted within the confines of the barracks
witness the execution, and it was certainl
perfoI med.
Riel's body vas taken in charge by tn cor
ner and the verdict usual to all state exec
tons was rendered.
t'Say, why is everything