The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-13
From Golfers weekly.

The last execution of it's kind occurred
last Thursday al Alikchi in the Choctaw
Indian Nation, when William Going, fun
blooded Choctaw, was publicly shot to
death for a murder committed two years
ago. AT that time he became involved in
a quarrel with his uncle, a sheriff, and
shot him dead.
Going was Immediately tried and SEN
fenced to be shot in September 1897, when
Walla Tonka, the Indian baseball player,
met his fate. But Going's case was re-
heard and he was repreved for two years
Going remained in the Choctaw nation
until the Maine was blown up in Havana
harbor, when he notified his friends to
keep him posted, and set sail for Cuba.
1t has been a custom in the Choctaw
nation for fifty years to sentence a man
to be shot for murder or theft, then turn
him loose without bond or restraint for
six months, if he gives his word to the
court to return promptly on his execution
day. This custom was brought about by
necessity When the tribe first came West
about fifty years ago, an Indian murdered
his sister for some trivial disobedience
The Judge sentenced him to be shot six
months later 1t was discovered then that
there was no Jail and no money in the
treasury to employ guards. The judge
said to his prisoner: Il will release you
until execution day, when you must re-
turn or be forever disgraced, as well as
your relatives Do you promise to come
back?" The redskin gave his word, and
ever since then Choctaw Indians have
been turned loose with only their promise
to return; and while over one hundred
have been executed, only one Indian failed
to keep his word
Going was in the Cuban army under
Garcia. After the war he married a SEN
orita and settled down on a coffee planta-
ton. Not long ago the Choctaw Judge
a 4, do
July 10. The Indian far away in Cuba re-
ceived a letter. He read his fate. Your
execution day is set for July 49," That is
all it said. He was not even told to re-
turn. But Going bade his wife farewell
and came to the Choctaw nation. on July
10 he appeared TO Sheriff Watson. stating
he was ready. A correspondent who saw
the execution thus describes Il,
"A few minutes before Going was led
out four Choctaws appeared bearing a
coffin. 1t was deposited in front of the
court house, near where a quilt was
spread. The condemned man, supported
by Sheriff Watson and a deputy and es-
corted by twenty light horsemen marched
down the line of spectators. He babe
them goodby. Going then knelt on the
quilt blindfOlded. The sheriff barred his
bosom, painting a spot over his heart
stepped back four PAGES, rested a Win
chester across a bench and fired. The
spot Going fell backward and moaned
piteously for an hour before expiring. Wa
ter was poured down his throat a num-
Der of times to hasten death by strangu-
lation. While the execution was proceed
ing District Attorney Clay remarked to
your correspondent; We are making his
tory"
Federal Judge Thomas had ordered a
respite, but the Choctaw Judge refused
to pay any attention aud ordered that the
execution proceed. Choctaw police were
present TO prevent United States deputy
marshals from interfering.
II might be added that Walla Tonlxa, the
other Choctaw whose execution is describ-
ed above, was so valued a member of
the baseball fraternity that the greatest
efforts were made by them to save him
But the exhortauons ana petitions of coun
less clubs and associations throughout the
country proved utterly futile.