Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-03-07
An Indian Execution.
Graphic Story by an Eye Witness OF
the Legal Shooting of a Cherokee.

WASHINGTON, ID. C.-Referripg 20 the
recent published account OF an execution
in the Creek nation, Indian territory, a
cavalry officer now here, but who for a
long time was stationed in the territory,
said:
81 have seen an Indian execution, al
which two men were shot-one for mur-
der, the other for horse. stealing. At the
third conviction for grand larceny the
Indians punish the crime 10y death, be-
lieving that the prisoner is beyond refor.
nation. The shooting saw was in the
Cherokee country. The two prisoners
we're young men, one of tbem--he could
not let his ueighbors stock a'one--being
one OF the handsomest feliou, ever saw.
He was stripped to the waist, And his tlg-
IRE would have served 70 model OF
Apollo. He had a quick, bright face,
and such pleasant smile that IL was
hard 20 believe that he was one of the
most dangerous and desperately murder
Gus young ruftans in the territory, who
had been concerned in the killing OF half
a 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 30 correctly that WAS
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
ia the oalm sleep OF tired ohild. told
the jailor nov TO wake him and went
away. Hs companion was hard look
ing full blood who spoke no English--or
said he did not. lt was charming
.tsttr -, q 40 Ia, bnF
region that mako mere physical life
luxury. The shooting was TO be done
pun ctually 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 we're
perhaps 30 Indians present-the jury
and Judge that had convicted the prison
ers and Others as witnesses. The Young
fellow | mentioned had heavy irons on
his legs and was seated on n stool 80
PAGES IN front of the jail. AZ 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 az the same time. He seemed
10 be the mo,. unoOncened person
Ks 1
said, merely for something 90 say. 'Yes,
our country Is perfectly delightful at this
senson OF the year he replied. / was
smoking a cigar, one of an excellent box
brought from 81. Louis when came to
my post. | noticed that he looked ct it
somewhat wistfully. May offer You
oner / asked. III you please--thanks,'
said he, AS I reached the case 20 him and
he took one, Lighting IL with match.
What n luxury really good tobacco is,'
ne said, after a few pufls.
! Just then the sheriff aud jury came.
'lhe time IL almost up; have you any
/ thing 10 sayS' said the official, addressing
| himself to the young man in English.
| oh, no. replied the other oarelessly.
what could | say that would do any
gUodH There was not n tremor on either
face as the death warrant WAS read in
| English ard Cherokee. Then a man
made a crosa-mark three inches long and
| half an inch wide over the heart OF each
prisoner in black (ths other hal been
brought and seated on the vacant stool
! Just before this was done), and the firing
| party persona, each armed with a.
oalibre Winchester rihe-came out of the
| Jail. The sheriff baudagod the eyes of
the other man, but the ou5 / had been
talking TO would not permit IL in his own
case, Il want TO see, he said end 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 we're
firm, and he smoked away slowly with Che
air OF one who knew good Cigar and
meant TO enjoy IL TO the last. Are you
readyH Take aiml Firep rapidly spoke
the sheriff | could not look at their
| death. But at the words take aim /
caught a last glance from the youAg
mans eyes, His look WAS unchanged.
| The shooters were not more than ten or
| twelve feet away from the men. -Four
| rifles cracked simultaneously. ] did lot
| urn my head, but walked 90 my horse.
| 10 I 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, u faint, blue smoke. u was
/ the last glow OF the Cigar had given him
who had died a moment before. They
told me he held IL in his month till after
the rifles cracked, and as he pitched for
ward on his face it rolled away. | never
want 10 sec another Indian execution"