The Northern News. — 1898-03-19 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR.  A REMARKABLE STORY.  The story of a man who on being convioted of a crime and sentenced to imprisonment, was tcrmitted to visit his family in a distant town unattended by a guard. upon his promise to report in person to the prison keeper on a certain day, and who, like Pythias, iso.lilully kept his pledge. used to be printed in the school readers a generation ago ae an example of integrity and an inspiration to manly conduct. But all that has been surpassed in a story from real life. And the nero of this story was not a product of Csucaaian or Christian civilisation, but a Creek Indian, a member of one of the five tribes wh.cli call themselves "nation.,' and reside in the Indian Territory. Shreds and patches of this strange nerraf ye have appeared from time to time in the Press despatches, but it seems to tie well worthy of more prominent mention. The American public ham been thoroughly instructed ai to all that is bad h the character and habits of the red man, and it is only common fairness to see what is on the other side of the picture. The story opens early in the past 'nun'Der, when two young Creek braves, Watka and Deer, met at a lance. It happened that both of these gallant 4 were suitors for the hand of the same maiden, and she behg at the dance, trouble arose between thttn. There was a short ti.zht, resulting in eke death of Deer. For this homicide Watka was trnd under the laws of hie tribe, was found guilty of murder, and sentenced to be shot at a date early in August. In almost any of our State Courts the plea of self-defence would be successfully urged in such a case. but Inel'an justice is the sternest article of the kind that we have in the United States. Immediately on Conviction  the condemned man was released on parole, as others urder the same circumetances had been. No bond. no surety of any kind, nothing but his predge to report for execution was required. How many, Americans are there who would keep such a prorn se7 "All that a man has will he givio, for his life, ' that is the rule. But the Creek Indians show exceptions. To them life is lees valuable than tor.eur. Watka could kill his rival in love in the beat of passion, but he would not violate his promise to save his life. He marred the girl on whose account he had fought and killed Deer. and when the day- of execution approached. he made preparations to dio. In other words, he made every posshit- provi..i.,n for the support of hie widow. But he was not to die at the time first. appointed. He eas is member of a famous Indian baseball team, and a number of games in which he was needed had been scheduled. For the reason, and for this alom., strange as it may appear in the light of our higher civilisation, he was reprieved till the last day cf October in order that he mitrht fill his baseball engagements. Last week the games ended, and on that day Watka reported to the Creek authoritiee to pay les debt. A Press despatch thus describes what followed: " Watka set out alone to the public execut:on grounds. In due time he arrived. The crowd Wai waiting. The prisoner assumed his position on banded knees, with arras tied behind and a blindfold over his eyes. The Tis• was in the hands of a good marksman; there was a sharp creek and the white sp it marked for the heart was discoloured with the spin-tin,: blood caused by the deadly bullet." An eloquent writer, predetine the early cheappearanee of the Indians, says. They will live only in tife songs and chronicles of their exterminators: let ,these be faithful to their rude virtues."—Froph the Waeliington Post."