Morning journal and courier., 1885-11-17
LOUIS RIEL,s LIFE WORK ENDED.

1n the Northwestern rebellion was performed this morning at S:53 when Louis David Riel, the half-breed leader, ended his life on the scatfold at the barracks of the mounted po- lice force near this city. Extraordinary precautions were taken during his imprison- ment to prevent any attempt at escape, and no one was allowed to visit him but his spiritual adviser, Pere Andre, from Fort AL bert, close to the scene of the recent rebel lion. The churchman's visits have been twice daily, and in his absence Riel was fre- quently kneeling at 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 to war. These papers have all been intrusted to Pere Andre, and will be produced at some time in the future, all though the prelate refuses to surrender them now. No one, no matter what his creden- tials, was permitted to Pass through the guard room to see the prisoner in his cell, and the immediate friends of the condemned man did not even see him, though no restric- tion was placed upon them. He received a few days ago letter from his aged mother which affected him visibly, but at no other time during his confinement did he show any signs of that weakness which was i'm puted to him after his capture by Canadian scouts.
 The strict privacy of the prisoner was broken down for the first time yesterday when a reporter was allowed to visit the prisoner in company of the high sheriff and comma1dant of the mounted police. This was on the occasion of the formal announce ment that his death warrant had arrived The charm of the rebels manner was unde- niable. 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 distinctly, looking at the sheriff with resoiute eye and without tinge of braggadocio. He rallied the sheriff when the latter suggested that he should not speak too long. 'iYou think that I will speak too long; that will be unnerv- ed. Oh, no; at the last moment I will be frm.'' His beard was dark brown, neatly trimmed, and his hair was brushed back from his high forehead with 8 tendency to curl. His nose was slightly Roman and his skin dark, but not swarthy. Looking at him and witnessing his manners it was easy to discern the influence he had with his peo- ple His address was that of the skilled courier.
 While it has been charged that he showed a lack of spirit on the battlefield or in the presence of danger, no one would urge it against him in witnessing the nonchalance of his bearing and his suavity of speech in ac- knowledging the fiat of his doom. The sto- icism lent by the savage strain in his blood, it would be conceded, stood him we'll az he made his final plea that he was urged on in his career by the motive of a patriot. q have only this," striking his breast, Ito leave, and this I rendered to my country if teen years ago, and am willing to give now"
 Beyond the prelate who visited him it was the fate of Riel that there were none of his former companions 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 criti- cisms 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 lay down and appeared to sleep soundly, awaking at an early hour and again resuming his devotions.
 The same extraordinary precaution against the possible escape of Riel the intrusion in the barracks of unauthorized persons was observed this morning. At mile from the barracks mounted patrols challenged all per sons, and compelled them to disclose written passes. Two other lines of guards were stationed at points nearer the post, and here one was permitted to enter the guard-room until S:12 o'clock The scene presented then was that of Riel on the soaffold, with Pere Andre and Father McWilliams with him, celebrating
 oose wooien 156i T sdrtous 51 gray trousers and wooden shirt. On his feet were moccasins, the only feature of his dress that partook of the Indian that was in him. He received the notice to proceed to the scaffold in the same composed manner shown the preceding night on receiving the notice of his fate. His face was full of color and he appeared to have complete self-possession, responding to the services in clear tone. The prisoner decid- ed only moment before starting for the SC scaffold not to make earnest solicitation of both the priests attending him. He displayed an in clination at the last moment to make an ad- dress, but Pere Andre reminded him of his promise; and he thea arose and walked toward the executioner, repeating his pray CTS to the last moment, the final words es- caping being :'Merci, Jesu." He died with out struggle. Not more than twenty per sons were permitted within the confines of the barracks to witness the execution, and. it was certainly performed with decorum and despatch His body WAS taken in charge by the coroner, and the verdict usual to all State executions was rendered.
 Riel's career has been an eventful one. He was born in 1S44. He is descended from an Irish family of the name of O'Reilly, who came to Canada about the beginning of the last century. His father, Jean Baptiste Riel, was a well known character in the Northwest as an intrepid trapper and hunter. He mar ried a squaw and in 1S49 headed an attack of half-breeds and Indians against the Hudson at last his favor was purchased and he became one of the under factors of this powerful corporation. Louis was sent to St. Boniface, where he be- came the protege of Archbishop Tache, who sent him to St. Mary's college, Montreal, the great seat of learning of the Jesuits in this province. After studying for the priesthood he studied law without success in the office of Hon. MT. Lafamme, an ex-minister of jus tice in this city. Eventually he returned to the Northwest and in 1869 startled his former associates who had never been impressed with his attainments, by head ing the first half-breed revolt. After his flight upon the arrival of Wolseley he appears to have remained in hiding at Terrebonne, a small village in this province, for some time, subsequently, being returned when outlaw as member of Parliament for Provenchei, ac tually appearing in the House and signing the roll After this he disappeared and sought refuge among the Metis of Montana, where he acted as professor in a Jesuit college. In the fall of 1884 he again returned to the North west and failing to get the government to ac cept his offer to leave the country for $5, COG he fomented the second rising, for which he paid the penalty to-day.
 The French Canadians Greatly Ex'
 cited.
 MONTREAL, Nov. 16.-There was much ex eitement among the French Canadians her, when the news of Riels execution was re ceived. French Canadian students in mum Der about five hundred carrying the tri-colo marched through several streets in the cit, giving vent to cheers for Riel and denouncine Sir John. They groaned as they passed L. Minerva office. Flags are at half mast il many parts of the city.
 Flags were half -neasted upon some of the French Canadian newspaper offices and pic lures of Chapleau and other French Canadi an Cabinet ministers were exposed in the windows with representations of Riel's blood on their heads. Loud threats were made against Chapleau, Langevin, Sir John an6 other members of the government. At regular meeting of the city counci this afternoon Alderman Gamer moved