The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-11-18
LOUIS DAVID REL.
His Execution at Regina Yesterday Morning
for High Treason.
He Repeated His Prayers to the Last
Moment and Died Without a struggle
How He Received the News of
the Death Warrant.


CITY, Tor hlgn treason against the queen OF
Great Britain at 80 o'clock this morning.
mountain time.
REGIyA. y. ". T., Nov. 16.-Riel has been
confined in the guard room OF the Canadian
Mounted Police Barricks, whose head
quarters post Is located on the open prairie
three miles west of tins city, ever since his
trial here in the month of July. His trial
and sentence occurred at this city, which is
the capital Of a vast territory, stretching
north IS far as Alaska, west to British
Columbia and known as the Northwest Ter
ritory. The Territorial Council meets here
and il is likewise the official residence of the
resident Lieutenant Governor and other
high appointive Dominion officials.
Never was captive more zealously guarded
and, possibly, never was captive, during the
full perod OF ms imprisonment less IN need
of watchmen in his outward department.
Whatever his character may have been in
the field as a martial leader OF his country
men, in prison he has fallen little short OF a
religeuse. His time has been devoted assid-
uously tOprayer. Even when given his con-
Stitutional on the open ground adj oinlng the
guard-TOOm- for an hour each morning he
has paced back and forth with his hands
clasped together in front, his head bowed,
with prayers issuing from his lips, voiced in
either the French or Indian Cree tongue.
Soon after his capture by the Canadian troops
he professed 10 throw off his allegiance TO
the Roman Catholic Church and took the
Suise OF q prophet, claiming TO see visions
and foTeteiling events. Iatteriy. as his fate
seemed more surely sealed, he has sought the
comfort again OF his original faith, and his
constant and simost only companion for the
past two weeks has been Pere Andre, from
Fort Albert. close TO the scene Of the recent
rebellion. The churchman's visit has been
twice daily. and in his absence Reil was
frequently 6neeilng al his couch IN PRAYER.
The remainder of his time has been spent in
writing Out predictions of the future and
defense OF his conduct IN leading the half
breeds twice 10 war. These papers have
been intrusted to Pere Andre and will,
doubtless, be produced at some time in the
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 the
immediate friends OF the condemned man
even did not see him, though no restriction
was placed upon them. lie received a few
days ago a letter from his aged mother which
affected him yisibly, but at no other time
during his confinement did he show any
Signs OF that weakness which was impaired
10 him after his capture by Canadian scouts.
The strict privacy of the prisoner was
broken down for the first time yesterday.
when the representative of the Associated
Press was permitted TO visit the prisoner in
the company of the High Sheriff and Com
mandant OF the mounted police. This was
on the occasion OF the formal announcement
that his death warrant had arrived. The
charm OF the rebels manner was undeniable.
He anticipated what the Sheriff would say
in his own greeting: 'Well, you have
come with the great announcement. | am
glad" He spoke slowly, bat very distinc-
lively, looking at the Sheriff with resolute
eve and without tinge of braggadocio. He
rallied the Sheriff when the latter suggested
that he should not speak too long. "NOu
think will speak too long. that will be
unnerved. Oh, no at the last moment will
be firm There was a trace OF the French
patois in his accent which did not lesson the
charm of his speech.
his beard was a dark brown, neatly
trimmed, and his hair was brushed back
from hi Ugh forehead, with tendency to
curI. In contrast to the straight hair of his
Indian t,rosenitoSs. His nose was slightly
Roman and his sIrS dark, but not swarthy.
Looking at him and Wit ressing his manner
it was easy TO discern the inn0ence he had
with his people. His address was tl2t 81
the 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 10 those OF his follow
ers. While il has been charged he has shown
a lack OF spirit on the battlefield or in the
presence OF danger, no one would urge ii
against him in witnessing the nOnchalance
of his bearing and suavity of speech &C
knOwledging the nat of his doom. The
stOicism lent by the savage strain in his
blood il would be conceded stood him in
well. as his final plea that he was urged on
hiS career Dy the motive OF a patriot: Il have
only this striking his breast, Ito leave. and
this / rendered to nv country fifteen years
ago and am willing TO give 1t now"
Beyond the Drelate who visited him. il was
the fate OF Riel that there were none of his
aTfn rom he rni1
or personal field, that found their way to his
cell. and beyond the announcement of the
results OF various stages of his trial, he had
no knowledge OF passing events or OF the crit
ieism passed upon his career. HIS conclud-
ing 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 to sleep
-sOundly. awakening at early hour and
again rcsuming his devOtiOns.
The same extraordinary precautlon against
the escape OF Riel or the intrusion into the
barracks by unauthorized persons was OBJ
served again this morning at mile from the
barracks Mounted patrols challenged all
persons and compelled them 10 disclose a
written pass Other lines OF guards were
stationed at points nearer the post where the
same precautions were again abserved. No
one was permitted TO enter the guard
room until S:12 O'Clock. The scene present.
" then was that of Riel on the sea fold with
PeTe Andre and Father McWiliams with
him celebrating mass. Riel was on Bonded
knee wearing a loose wooden surtOut, gray
trousers and wooden shirt. with moccasins
.On his feet. the only feature of his dress
that partook of the Indian that was in him.
He received the notice to proceed to the
scafiOid in the same composed manner as
shown the preceding night, on receiving the
warning Of his fate. His face was full of
color and he appeared to have complete self
possession. responding TO the service in a
clear tone.
The prisoner decided only moment be-
fore starting fer the scafiold not to make a
speech. This was owing TO the earnest so
licitation' OF both the priests attending him.
He displayed an inclination at the last mo-
-meDt to make an address, but Pere Andre
arose and walked toward the executiOner,
repeating his prayers to the last moment.
the final words escaping him being "Merci
Jesu.f' He died without a struggle. Not 10