Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-13

hard to build home in promising coun-
try. 1t was democratic community. The
village blacksmith was mayor CT the town.
A Frenchman. who appears to have had
money, had gone in ahead of the Canadian
colony, roped a squaw and reared a family.
After firewater. French blood is the worst
thing that can be mixed up with Indians.
So the Canadian said, and l believe his
tory will bear him out. Between the
F'renchman and the squaw four boys were
born, and they appear to have been bad
Toys from the beginning. When the young
est was only fourteen they stole saddle
from one of the cowboys, and they might
as well have taken herd of cattle, for
that would not make a cowboy more angry.
warrant was issued for the arrest OF
the four boys, two other haif-breeds and
squaw, and the gang began to hide out.
They evidently concluded that they ought
to do something desperate, for, with no ap-
parent provocation, they killed inoffen-
sive shepherd and put themselves on the
defensive. The constable at Douglas Lake,
who had just brought young wife to this
wild country, went after the murderers of
the shepherd, and when ne ha dsfound them
showed more sand than sense by attempt
ing, single-handed and alone, to stand the
seven up. OF course, they killed the con-
stable, a brave, indiscreet. but useful citi-
zen.
Now the whole community was up in
arms and after the outlaws. 1t is related
of the real Indians that they took their
guns and went out to help the people to
punish the murderers. They had profited
by the presence of the pale-faced people,
for they had given the Indians work,
but they had no use for the half-breeds.
The desperadoes started to leave the
country. They called upon one of the
farmers, bound him fast in his chair, and
then helped themselves to whatever they
wanted. including horses. In front of the
door they flourished their firearms and
said: These things Gheir pistols) will put
all the pale-faces at the left hand of
Christ The leader, one of the sons of
the Frenchman, said that, and then they
galloped away.
But the people of Douglas Lake and
their Indian allies galloped after them.
The outlaws camped that night in an old
cabin, and in the morning woke to find the
place surrounded by desperate men-white
and red Occasionally head would ap-
pear at the open window and instantly a
bullet would peck at the chinking. If one
of the besieged showed himself careIessIy
the outlaws would take shot at him to
show that they were armed.
Nobody cared to interview the inhabi-
tants of the cabin. and the people deter
mined to starve the criminals out
leader or commander was elected and men
were detailed to guard the cabin day and
night. Uncompiainingly now the red men
of the community stood watch with the
whites. On the third day an Indian left
the besiegers and walked deliberately, un-
armed, up to the cabin. He did not enter.
but called upon the gang to surrender The
half-breeds seemed much surprised that
the Indians should help to hunt them out.
They doubtless reasoned that If a half
breed could hold no such cussedness. that
whole Indian ought to be beyond re-
demption.
'.Ohr' said the leader. Here's my old
friend, Jim, come with the rest to help
hang me-" But Jim was not SO good a
friend as the half-breeds had thought him
For and in consideration of 500 to
him in hand paid. this same Jim had re-
vealed to the people of Douglas Lake the
plans of the half-breeds. which included
the killing Off of the entire white popula-
ton. This conclusion had been reached
herd.
1t was not until the afternoon Of the sixth
day that the gang came out emptied their
reviewers, tossed them in a heap upon the
ground and held up their hands Hunger
and thirst had made even death preferahle
70 such torture, and SO the gang surren-
oerec- here was material and opportunity
Tor an interesting lynching. The proyoca
ton had been great, but, according to our
informant.-s such thing was not even sur-
gested. Having fed and watered the gang.
reputation OF cftizens-the constable hay-
ing been kiiled-started across the country
fifty miles, to Westminster, where a whoie
week was wasted in the trial of the MR.
derers. Two of the four brothers and an.
other half-breed were hanged The other
three being younger. were imprisoned and
the squaw set free. Having spent a con
siderable part of his fortune in bootless
effort to save the necks of his more or
less uniawfui children, the old Frenchman
went back to France to try to forget ii.
ana mats the way the Canadians win
do win not have the honor Of being shot
Even the famous reformer, Riel was
hanged like q horse thief at the end ~ 2
rope. VOLTA =