The Cecil Whig., 1885-11-21

The Execution of tie Rebel ualf-Areea
Lead,r for High Trsason,

Sir John AIacd"maid Refuses I" Commute
the Insane Mans Death Sentence and
lie Dies Under III" Hands of tine Law in
Spite of Many Protests.
LouiS David Riel was executed on the
scaffold at the barracks of the mounted
police force near Rrgina for high treason
against the Quecn of Great Britain at
S:23 clock Monday morning. The peo-
pie III the different cities are in state of
great excitement. Some fear an out
break. All are full of misgiviEgs. The
arrival of the warrant was surprise to
even many of the officials, who, owing
to the late hour and previous delays had
argued that another respite would fol
low. RieI received the formal intelli-
gence in his cell in the guard-room of
the mounted police barracks, three miles
west of fhe city. The intelligence was
conveyed to him in person by High Sher-
if Chapleau. The scene was in many
respects remarkable. The famous rebels
cell was Immediately adjacent to the
guard room of the troop doing night pa
troll duty fully fifty OF whom occupied
the room. Through the iron gate in
front of the cell was seen an armed sem
tinel on duty, and outside the building a
Gordon of armed men were pacing their
beats. The iron gate was thrown open
on the approach Of High Sheriff Chap
leau and Colonel Irvine, commander of
the mounted police.
RIEL AND TIE SHERIFF.
Riel, who had been conversing with
coined the Sheriff in Learty and thor
oughly unc nstrained way. His voice
was modulatcd and he displayed no
signs of excitement. His initial greet
with the great announcements am
glad Sheriff Chapeau replied that
the death warrant had come. Rel, con
tinuug in the same CHEEKY way, said:
II am glad that at last | am to be re-
leased of my sutfelings." He then broke
off into French, and thanked the Sheriff
for his personal consideration. lie pro
ceded again in English: Il desire that
my body shall be given to nv friends to
be laid in St. Boniface.' This is the
French cemetery anrosS the Rcd river
from the city of Winnipeg. The Sheriff
asked him il he had any wishes to con
vey as to the disposition of his personal
estate or Effects.
"Mon cher" replied he, 81 have only
this" touching his breast above the re-
9ion of his heart. This gave to my
county fifteen years ago, and 1t is all
have to give now He was asked as to
his peace of mind, aud replied: Il long
ago made my peace with my God. and
am as prepared row as | can be at any
time Iou will find that had mission
to perform. | want you to thank my
friends in Qnebec for I'll they have done
foT me-
HIS LAST REQUEST.
He continued. in reply to another
question: Il am willing to 70. shall
be permitted to say something On the
scaffpld?" he said i'll Il tone of inquiry.
When told that be would be allowed TO-
he said, smiljngly: "Iou think may
speak too long; that it will unnerve me-
Oh. no, | shall not be weak | shall
feel that when the moment comes shall
have wings which will carry ne upward
Then revertiug again to the French
tongue, and in an inimitable winning
way for which he is famed to all those
who had known him closely, he spoke
again of the kind remembrance he would
retain of those who had esppused his
personal cause. He closed by saying to
Sheriff Chapleau rs he held out his hand
in parting: "Alieu, mon ami His eye
was clear aud untlinchiug and his bear
ing throughout was such as to evoke
sense of admiration by the absense of
any tremor OF excitement.