Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-11
SMILING IN DEATHS FACE.
The Un11inching Goodness with Which an
Indian Murderer Died.

washinston Latter 10 the st. Louis Republic.
Referring to the recent published account Of
an execution In the Creek Nation, Indian terri
tory, cavalry officer now here, but who for .
long time was stationed in the territory, said
to-day:
II have seen an indian execution, at which
two men were shot, one for murder, the other
for horse stealing. At the third conviction for
grand larceny the Indians punish the crime by
death, believing that the prisoner 10 beyond
reformation. The shooting saw was in the
Cherokee country. The two prisoners were
young men, one Of them-he could not let his
soonest fellows ever saw. He was stripped to
the waist, and his figure would have served
for q model Of Apollo. He had quick, bright
face and such pleasant smile that it was hard
to believe he was one Of the most dangerous
and desperately murderous young rufians in the
territory, who had been concerned in the
killing OF half q dozen men in drink
ing ARRAYS. He was q quarter-blood,
with all the vices of both races and
none OF the virtues Of either. He spoke Eng
iish 50 correctly that was not surprised to
hear that he had been well educated in an east
ern school, but took to bad ways he says, be-
cause he could not help it. The night before
ne died went to see him. He was lying on
his blanket in the calm sleep of tired child. /
told the jailer not to wake him and went away.
who spoke no English-or said he did not: 1t
was charming morning in May, one OF the
days in that region that make mere life
luxury.
'The shooting was to be done punctually at
O'Clock, and about half an hour before the
time l, with several other officers Of the gar
rison, rode over to the place Of execution.
There were perhaps thirty Indians present
the jury and judge that had convicted the
prisoners, and others as witnesses. The young
faIl0 n l.I hznv 70 la
and was seated on a stool 80 PAGES in front
OF the jail At his side was similar stool,
empty, but which was to be occupied by the
other prisoner when he was shot. AS We came
near the young man said good morning with
pleasant smile. gracefully lifting his SLOUGH
hat at the same time. He seemed to be the
most unconcerned person present What a
lovely morning, said, merely for something
to say. Yes; our country is perfectly delight
full at this season Of the year. he replied
was smoking a cigar, one OF an excellent
box brought from st. Louis when came to
my post. l noticed that he looked at it some
whaF wistfully May offer you one2 asked
If you please-thanks,' said he as I reached
the case to him and he took one, lighting it
with a match. What a luxury really good to-
bacco is. he said, after few puffs.
Just then the sheriff and jury came.
The time is almost up; have you any
thing to sayT said the official, address,
ing himself to the young man in Eng
lish. oh, no. replied the other carelessly.
what could say that would do any goodT'
There was not tremor on either face as the
death warrant was read in English and Cher
okee. Then a man made q cross mark three
inches long and half an inch wide over the heart
Of each prisoner in black (the other had
been brought and seated on the vacant stool
just before this was done), and the firing
party-six persons-each armed with 44-cali-
bre Winchester rife-came out Of the Jail. The
sheriff bandaged the eyes Of the other man,
but the one had been talking to would not
permit it in his case. II want to see," he
said and they let him alone. never saw such
nerve as this youth possessed. His eyes were
without shadow of trouble, anxiety, or fear
that could discover. His lips were firm, and
he smoked awav slowly with the air of one who
knew a good cigar and meant to enjoy it to the
last Are you ready2 Take aim Fire
rapidly spoke the sheriff.
Il could not look at their deaths. But at the
swords, take aims, caught last glance from
the young mans eyes. His look was un-
changed. The shooters were not more than
ten or twelve feet away from the men. Four
rifles cracked simultaneously. / did not turn
mountedI saw the two men lying side by side,
fallen face forward, silent. motionless, both shot
through the heart, and just little way in front
of me there rose up into the sweet spring air
out of the grass faint, blue smoke. 1t was the
last glow of the cigar had given him. They
told me he had it in his mouth till after the
rifles cracked and as he pitched forward on his
faced it rolled away.