Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-07
An Indian Execution.
Graphic Story by an Eye Witness of
the Legal Shooting of a Cherokee.

WASHINGTON, D. C.-Referring to the
recent published account of an execution
in the Geek nation, Indian Tertiary.
cavalry officer now here, but who for
long time was stationed in the territory.
said:
i have seen an Indian executiop of
which two men were shot-one for mr.
der, the other for DEMONSTRATING. At the
third conviction for grand larceny the
Indians punish the crime by death. be-
lieving that the prisoner is beyond refor.
nation. The shooting 1 saw was in the
Cherokee country. The two prisoners
were young men, one of tbem-he couId
not let his neighbors' stock alone-beinu
one Of the handsomest fellows ever saw.
He was stripped to the waist, and his fg
ure would have served for model of
Apollo. He had a quick, bright face,
and such pleasant smile that it was
hard 80 believe that he was one of the
most dangerous and desperately lnurder-
Gus young rufians in the territory, who
had been concerned in the killing of half
dozen men in drinking ARRAYS. He was
quarter-blood, with all the vices of both
races and none of the virtues of either.
He spoke English 50 correctly that was
rot surprised to hear that he had been well
educated in an eastern school, but took to
bad ways, he said, because he couldn't help
it. The night before he died [ went to
see him. lie was laying on his blanket
IL the calm sleep of tired child. told
the iailor not to wake him and went
away. His companion was a hard look
lug full blood, who spoke no English-or
said he did not. It was a charming
morning in May, one Of the days in that
region that make mere physical life a
luxury. The shooting was to be done
puLctually at 10 o'clock, and about half
an hour before the time, ], with several
other officers of the garrison, rode over
to the place of execution. There were
perhaps 30 Indians present-the Jury
and judge that had convicted the prison
ers and others as witnesses. The young
fellow I mentioned had heavy irons on
his legs and was seated on a stool so
PAGES in front of the jail. At his side
was another 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 a
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 delightful at this
season of the year. he replied. was
smoking cigar, one of an excellent box
brought from St. Louis when | came to
my post. 1 noticed that he looked at it
somewhat wistfully. May I offer you
one? l asked. IF you please-thanBs,
said he, as [ reached the case TO him and
he took one, lighting it with match.
What luxury really good tobacco is
ne said, after few puffs.
Gust then the sheriff and jury came.
The time is almost up; have you any
thing to say?' said the official, addressing
himself 70 the yOGng man in English.
'Oh, no, replied the other carelessly.
What could [ say that would do any
gOO6r There was not a tremOr on either
face as the death warrant was read in
English and Cherokee. Then a man
made crOss-mark three inches long and
half an inch wide over the heart of each
prisoner in black (the other hal been
brought and seated on the vacant stool
just before this was done), and the firing
party-six persons, each armed with A
calibre Winchester rifs-came out OF the
Jail. The sheriff bandaged the eyes of
the other man, but the on4 l had been
talking to would not permit it IN his own
case. 1 want to see, he said md they
let him alone. l never saw such nerve az
this youth possessed. His eyes were
without shadow Of trouble, anxiety or
fear that could discover. His lips were
firm, and he smoked away slowly with the
air of one who knew good cigar and
meant to enjoy it TO the last. Are you
ready? Take aim! Firep rapidly spoke
the sheriff. / could not look at their
death. But at the words take aim /
caught last glance from the young
mans eyes. His look was unchanged.
The shooters were not more than ten or
twelve feet away from the men. Four
rifles cracked stimuli 5aneously. / did not
turn my head, but walked to my horse.
Is mounted [ saw the two men lying
;ide by side, fallen face forward, silent,
notionless, both shot through the heart;
and just little way in front of one there
rose up into the sweet spring air, out of
the grass, a faint, blue smoke. 1t was
the last glow of the cigar had given him
who had died a moment before. They
told me he held it in his mouth till after
the rifles cracked, and as he pitched for
ward On his face it rolled away. I never
want to see another Indian execution"