The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-31
DEATH SENTENCE Of INDIAN
CLERGYMAN COMMITTED TO S.
LIFE IMPRISONMENT
KILLED PEOPLE WHOM
He BELIEVED WITCHES
Solomon Hotonia Thought the Evil One
Was Responsible for Deaths in His
Family and Misfortunes to His Tribe
Solomon Was All Right, Barring
Drunkenness.

WASHINGTON D. e., Oct 30-The
president has committed to life fmpris-
on ment the death sentence pronounced
upon Solomon Hotonia, convicted in
Texas of murder committed on Nov.
20, 1901. The case is an exceptional
one. In his report to the president rec
ommending the Communication of the
death sentence attorney General Knox
says: IS =.
This petitioner, Choctaw Indian,
was convicted in the eastern district of
Texas of a murder committed in the
Indian territory and was sentenced to
be hanged. The supreme court of the
United States has reviewed the case
and affirmed the judgment of the lower
court. The petitioner is well educated
in his own tongue and in the English
language. He has been a lawyer,
Judge, a Presbyterian minister and q
man of wealth and high standing
among his people. It is also shown
that he was very charitable and took
an active part in all public matters
looking toward the education and well
being of members of his tribe as well
as of white persons, who lived with
them. 1t is shown that for many years
he had been in the habit of getting
drunk but that aside from this his life
has always been exemplary"
Believed in Witchcraft.
.1t appears that a short time before
the murder he lost by death several
children in rapid succession, and be-
lieving in witches and witchcraft, he
conceived the idea that certain per-
sons whom he believed to be witches
fny bn af hi
children and for misfortunes which
had happened to other members of his
tribe. On the morning of the killing,
being more or less under the influence
of liquor, he started out with the ex-
press intention of killing persons whom
he accused of being witches. He first
went to the house of Vina Coleman, an
Indian woman, for whose murder he
now stands convicted.
1T appears that this woman was re-
lated to him; that he had always been
on most friendly terms with her; had
furnished her and her family prov1-
sionS and had persuaded other persons
to give her work in order that she
might support herself and her chill
dren. Going to her house, he accused
her of being witch and shot her to
death with a shotgun, at the same time
woundfng a small child that was near
AiCis fAC-llIS ocllilS Lille he Sf1OC dDO
badly wounded a fifteen year-old boy
who was running away to give the
alarm.
He thereupon mounted his horse
and proceeded to theNhouse of a man
whom he accused of being a witch
and shot him.. He then Proceeded to
the house of another woman whom he
accused of being a witch and killed
her. He was tried for the murder of
the last two persons and acquitted on
the plea of insanity. When first tried
for the murder of Vina Coleman, the
jury disagreed. On the second trial
the jury convicted him and he was
sentenced to be hanged.
Should Not Be at LARGE.
IT have made careful examination
of all the testimony in the case; also
the brief statement herein set out, and
/ am Of the opinion that no motive is
set out for the killing of these persons
by the petitioner. 1t seems to be
clearly set out that the petitioner kill
ed them because of his deluded belief
that they were witches and he was
justified in removing them. I am Of
the opinion that the sentence of death
should not be carried out in this in
stance. and I am clearly convinced that
the petitioner should not be allowed to
go at large.
In view of all the facts presented, I
therefore unhesitatingIy recommend
that the sentence in this case be COM
muted to Imprisonment for life, but
feel constrained to here express the
opinion that under no circumstances
should any further clemency be exer-
ciSed in behalf Of this prisoner"