The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-16
A REMARKABLE EXECUTION.

The last execution of It's kind occur
red last Thursday at Alichi. in the
choctow Indian nation, when William
Going, full-blooded Choctaw was
publicly shot 10 deauh for murder
committed two years ago. At that time
he became involved i'm a quarrel with
his uncle. sheriff, and shot him dead
Going was Immediately tried and sen-
fenced TO be shot i'm September. 1891
when Walla Tonka. the Indian basebaA
player. met his fate. But Going's case
was reheard, and he was reprieved for
TWO years. Going remained In the
ehoctaw nation until the Maine was
blown up in Havana harbor, when he
notified his friends TO keep him posted
ana set sail for Cuba.
III mas been a custom in the ChOCtaw
nation FOR fifty years TO sentence man
10 De shot for murder or theft. then
turn MN loose without bond OF re-
stralht Tor six months, IL he gives his
"oru 10 the court TO return promptly
on MS execution day. This custom was
Drought about by necessity. When the
trspe hrst came West, about flfty years
ago. an Indian murdered his sister for
some trivial disobeohence. The judge
sentenced him 90 be shot six months
Iater. IL was discovered then that there
was no Jail and no money In the treas
ury 10 employ guards. The judge said
TO ms prisoner; II will release you
untll execution day. when you must re-
turh or De Forever dlsgraced, as well as
your relatives. Do You promise 10 come
pack?" The redsixin gave his word. and
ever since then Choctaw Indians have
Deen turned loose with only their prom
,se TO return; and while over 100 have
ataIx .fn.. Il
keep his word.
Going was in the Cuban army under
narcia. After the war he married n
sshoilta and settled down on coffee
plantation. Not long ago the Choctaw
JuuSe decided Going must die He set
Vhe date July IL. The Indian far away
III IuDa received a letter. He read his
1a,e. I our execution day is set for
July 10. That Is all il said. He was
not even told to return. But Going
paue ms WIFE farewell and came to the
thoctaw nation. On July IL he ap-
peared TO Sheriff Watson. stating he
was ready. correspondent VINO saw
the execution thus describes IL:
lew minutes before Going was led
OUT Iour Choctaws appeared bearing a
CONN. II was deposited in front of the
court house, near where a Quilt was
spread. The condemned man. support
ed oy Sherin Watson and a deputy and
escorted by twenty light horsemen.
inarched down the line of spectators.
lie bade them goodbye. Going then
khelt on the quilt blindfolded The
sherin barred his bosom, painting q spot
over ms heart. stepped back four PAGES.
rested a winchester across bench and
nred. The bullet entered the breast.
put missed the spot Going fell back
Ward ana moaned piteously for an hour
before expiring. Water was poured
down his throat a number of times To
hasten death by strangulation. Will.
the execution was proceeding District
Attorney Clay remarked to your corre-
sPonueht: We are making history"
Federal Judge Thomas had ordered
respite, but the Choctaw Judge refused
TO pay any attention and ordered that
the execution proceed-Choctaw police
were present to prevent United States
deputy marshals from interfering.
lt might b added that Walla Tonka.
the other Chectaw whose execution Is
described above. was so valued a mem
Der OF the baseball fraternity that the
greatest efforts were. made by them to
save him. But the exhortations and ne
tltions OF countless clubs and associa-
tions throughout THE country proved
utterly futile.-W. r.. Draper in Golfers
Weekly.