The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-11-18
4 RESTLESS LIFE ENDED.
Louis Riel Executed for High
Treason.
sCENEs
The HalfBreed Leader Calmly
Meets His Doom and Dies
While Praying.

REGINA, November 16.-Riel has been
confined in the guard room OF the Can
adian Mounted Police barracks, whose
headquarters' post is on the open prairie
three miles west of this city, ever since
the conclusion of his trial here in the
month Of July. His trial and sentence oc-
Cured at this city, which is the capital oil
a vast territory, stretching north as lar az
Alaska, and west to British Columbia, and
known as the Northwest Territory. The
Territorial Council meets here, and it is
likewise the official residence of the resi-
dent Lieutenant-G Governor and other high
appOintive Dominion officials. The half.
breeds, since their
TWO REyOLTs
against the authority Of the Canadian
Government, have been kept under the
closest surveillance by a force of mounted
police stationed here. The latter is a very
snowy body of mounted troops, wearing
scarlet jackets, blue trousers and fur caps
of the British dragons. Ever since the
denial of the Imperial Council OF Great
Britain to grant an appeal on behalf OF
Riel to overturn the verdict rendered
against him, the espionage has been more
strict than ever. both to guard against the
escape OF their State prisoner, and to pre-
vent any attempt at rescue which might be
uhOc ny LIS COuuVTy u4cA LA SdudUd VI otSI
the American border. Ninety men were
told off for this duty. On Saturday night
and last night even this number was in
creased, videttes
COMMANDING POINTS
a mile from the barracks and a double
Gordon about the camp proper The
prison Of Riel was a long wooden structure,
one story in hight, with a long slanting roof
and small windows under the caves, grated
with iron. Two reliefs off guard occupied
the room in the front portion of the build
ing, while six sentinels paced up and down
continuously outside the structure. Another
set OF sentinels paced in front of the con-
demned half-breed, and the precautions ex-
tended SO far that the officer OF the guard
was compelled to visit and certify that he
had visited his prisoner each quarter of an
hour. Never was captive
MORE JEALoUsLY GUARDED,
and possibly never was a captive during the
full period of his 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 short of
r~eligieuse. His time has been devoted
assidously to prayer. Even when given
his constitutional time on the open ground
duJOA1AlAk VIC 6u0Au AOouA " OAO uOuA
each morning he has paced back and forth
with his hands clasped together in front,
his head bowed, with prayers issuing from
his lips versed in either the French or the
Indian Cree tongue. Soon after his cap
ture by the Canadian troops he professed
to throw of his allegiance to
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
and took the guise of a prophet, claiming
T., ~,su;onc ,rI fouoko11scn o,,o~%e 80
terly, as his fate seemed more surely sealed,
he has sought the comfort again of his Or
iginal faith, and his constant and almost
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 visits have been tw' ce
daily, and in his absence Riel wa sfrequently
kneeling at his couch in prayer. The re-
mainder of his 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. The papers have all
been entrusted to Pere Andre, and will
doubtless be produced at some time in the
future, although the prelate
REFusEs TO SURRENDER THEM NOW.
Ne one, no matter what his credentials,
was pep stt vide PIIooneA * -nD
friends OF the condemned, even,
did not see him, though no restriction was
placed upon them. He received a few days
ago a letter from his aged mother which al
fected him visibly, but at no other time
durine his confinement did he show any
signs OF weakness which was imputed to
him after his capture. The strict privacy
of the prisoner was broken down for the
first time yesterday, when a representative
of the Associated Press was9 permitted to
visit the prisoner in the company OF the
High Sheriff and the c~ommandant OF the
mounted police. This was on the occasion
of the formal announcement that his death
warrant had arrived. The colloquy which
ensued was embraced in last nights dis
patches.
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 an
nouncement. l am glad" He spoke slow,
but very distincly, looking at the Sheriff
with a resolute eye, and without a tinse OF
bragadocio he rallied the sheriff, when the
latter suggested that he should not speak
too long. "You think l will speak too long
and that I will be unnerved. Oh, no.. At
the last moment l will be firm" There
was a trace of French in his accent, which
did not lessen the charm Of his speech. His
beard was dark brown, neatly trimmed,
and his hair was brushed back from his
high forehead, with a tendency to curl, in
contrast to the straight hair OF his Indian
progenitors, his nose was slightly Roman,
and his skin dark, but not swarthy. Look
ing at him and witnessing his manner it
was easy to discern
THE INFLUENCE HE HAD
with his people. His address was that OF a
skilled courtier, and his college training
never deserted him in the perfection. and
grace of his speech, all the more remarkable
in contrast to that OF his followers. While
it has been charged that he sho we'd a lack
of spirit on the battle field or in the pres
ence of danger no one would urge it against
him in witnessing the nonchalence in his
bearing and the suavity OF his speech II
acknowledging the fat Of his doom: The
stoicism lent by the savage strain IN Mi
blood, it would be conceded, stood him II
well as he made his final plea that he wal
I urged on in his career by the motive OF q
patriot. j.,
II have only this" striking his breast
ssto leave, and this l rendered to my coun
try fifteen years ago, and l am willing tt
give now" E.
Beyond the prelate, who visited him, i
was
THE FATE Of 1
that there were non OF his former compan
| ions from a political and personal fear
that found their way to his cell and beyont
| the announcement Of the results Of the va
| rious stages in his trial, he had no know
| edge of the passing events or the criticism'
passed upon his career. His concluding
/ hours were passedin the sole company oil hi
spiritual adviser. During the early part o
the night, Riel laid down and appeared tt
sleep soundly, awaking at an early hou
and again resuming his devotions.
wALKED TOWARD THE ExEcUrloNER,
repeating his prayers to the last moment
the final words escaping him being "Mere
Jesu." He died without a struggle. No
to exceed twenty persons were permitte,
within the confines of the barracks to wit
ness the execution, and it was c%ertainl
performed with decorum m despatch
His body was taken in charge by the Coz
oner and the verdict usual to all State exc
cutions rendered.
SOME EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS
against the possible escape of Riel or th
intrusion into the barracks by unautho1
lied persons, was observed again this morr
ing. At a mile from the barracks tn
mounted patrols challenged all persons an
compelled them to disclose written passes
Two other lines of guards were stationed a
points nearer the post where the same pr
ca~,,t;ons were AGAIN observed. No one We