Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-12-14
HANK GOOD'S NERVE.
A CHOcTAW WHO GAVE HIS LIFE
WITHOUT A SIGN OF FEAR.

The Red Mans Desire For Whisky Caused
Him to Commit Il Double 8Iurder-Con-
demned to Die, but Ecleased on His own
Captain Frank Williams of the Texas
Rangers gives an excellent account Of
the remarkable execution of Hank
Good, thoroughbred Choctaw Indian,
which occurred in the Choctaw reser-
vation.
II never dreamed l was going to see
one of the bravest acts ever witnessed
in my life when | went to see Hank
Good shot," Captain Williams said.
VI was in The reservation when Hank
committed the murder for which he
gave up his life, and ! had a great Gu
riosity to see how he would act when
the time came for him to pay the pen
atty.
"The murder Hank committed oc-
CURED Feb. 9, 1898 Two whisky
peddlers, named Isaac Greenbaum and
Solomon Heppcnstein, were the vic
Tins. They had been iii tie habit of
stealing into the reservation about once
a month and selling whisky to the In
dians. On this particular night they
entered the territory with two small
casks of whisky. Hank saw them when
he came in, and he then and there de-
termined to get his fill of fire water that
night or know the reason why. He
watched them and followed them to a
lonely place, where they secured their
whisky, wrapped their blankets around
them and went to sleep. When they
were slumbering soundly, he stole upon
them, and it could not have taken him
long to relieve them of their scalps.
He found the whisky, drank to his
hearts content and enjoyed the warmth
Of the fire the peddlers had built
Hank made no attempt to escape or
conceal his crime, but remained there
and drank until he was stupid. About
10 O'Clock the next morning as | was
passing along the road with squad of
the White Horse we came supon the
horrible sight. Hank was lying across
the dead bodies Of his victims, and one
of the whisky casks was clasped in his
arms. We tried to arouse him, but could
not and had to carry him to the head
quarters Of the reservation. They
locked Hank up, and it was three days
before he was sober enough to be ar
raigned before the Indian Judge and
jury.
"On the third day after the murder
Hank was brought up for tEial. Hank
made no defense. He did not seem to
feel sorry, either, for having commit
ted the crime. 1t was the first time
in his life that he had had enough
whisky. The jury soon decided that
Hank was guilty and should be shot
1t took into consideration the fact that
Hank was the most popular and best
looking young buck in the nation and
recommended him to the mercy Of the
judge. The judge finally sentenced
him to be shot to death at noon, Sept
25. Hank took an oath to appear at
that hour under big oak tree and pay
the penalty. They then allowed him to
depart. %
Were they afraid he would never
return?"
mot in the least A full blocded
Choctaw was never known to break his
oath.
"Well, Captain Williams continued,
Hank did not leave the nation, but
three days afterward he got married
and commenced to work as hard to get
land and horses as man who expected
to live so years. In few months he
was one of the most prosperous young
men in the tribe and lived apparently
happy.
'The months slowly passed, and as
the time drew near for Hank to be shot
the Indians commenced to get excited.
They were all anxious to see how he
would act. Hank never referred to the
matter and kept on working up to the
day before the one which was to be his
last ON earth.
THE fatal morning at last arrived.
1t was a holiday on the reservation,
and long before noon all the members
Of the nation were in the vicinity of
the big oak tree, dressed in all the fin
cry they could command. Hank was
on the scene early, arrayed in his best,
and an hour before his execution he
danced with all the squaws. He never
glanced at the pine coffin on which he
was to kneel and be killed.
Exactly at noon he left his family,
and with head erect and a smile upon
his face he walked to the coffin and
knelt upon the lid. The sheriff had
not yet arrived, but Hank was there
and waiting. The sheriff finally came,
and walking over to Hank he started
to bind white cloth around Hanks
eyes. Hank tore it Of and motioned
the Sheriff back. You should have
seen the Indians look at him. Every
one admired his nerve.
1.-THE sheriff stepped back several
feet, drew his revolver and took delib-
crate aim. Hank smiled and glanced
down the glistening barrel without
moving a muscle. In another second
the sheriff fired, and ball crashed into
Hanks brain, directly between the
eyes. He quivered u second and fell
over dead into the coffin. =
What became of Hanks wifeP''
"Oh, she married good looking
young buck the next day. .''-Pittsburg
Dispatch.
Could BE Fitted.
/ Scene-Fancy hosiery shop; facetious
youth purchasing Bow for his sweet