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Show MEL ON THE SCAFFOLD This Morning: the Famous Rebel Is Hangred for. High Treason Against . Queen Victoria. The Lord High Executioner Performs the Ceremony With Xeataess ' and Dispatch. . - French: Canadians Hiffhly Excited, and a Brilliant Prospect for a Bloody Row. Louis David Kiel Meets His Fate. Quebec, November 15.T-Sir Hector Lang-win, Lang-win, who came here on Friday morning from Ottawa, returned home yesterday afternoon. It is currently reported, that his sudden and unexpected departure was caused, by a prop--ositdon to him of some extreme measnrea in. connection -'. wiib. the, RieL. masters i It. ia stated that he came here with the sole - purpose pur-pose ctf ascertaining the viewsof thPieimh Canadians in Quebec upon the subject of the Riel hanging, and that, contrary to his own private opinion, he found the population popula-tion here had actually taken a steadfast position po-sition and demanded THE COMMUTATION OP BTEL's SENTENCE. While Sir Hector was here his residence was j besieged by prominent and active politicians in the Conservative interest to gain this end. From what Sir Hector and prominent politicians poli-ticians have said, Riel's fate is not sealed beyond doubt; One prominent man' here last night said that still thirty-six hours must elapse before the appointed time of execution, ex-ecution, and wonders' might yet .be worked in the Dominion Government. WARRANT FOB BTEL'S EXECUTION. He immediately after left by speoial train for Regina and should arrive there early in the morning. Absurd rumors have been abroad here of a probable attempt at rescue by Dumont and party from the States. There is no truth in them. Quebec, November 15. The attitude of the French Canadians on the Riel question at present is one of suffering in silence. The stand taken by their newspapers in the matter is very resolute and the . ENGLISH POPULATION FEEL VEBY UNEASY. All sorts of interference to save Riel's neck from the rope is being invoked. It is evident evi-dent that there is a terrible current of feel-' ing -existing among the French Canadians. It is learned from the best authority that a secret and special meeting of the French Conservative members of Parliament convened con-vened to-night. A French Cabinet Minister, whose name it would not do to mention just now, will, in the event of Riel's hanging, be burned iu effigy in the streets here to-morrow night. Ottawa, November 15. Very little is talked of here to-night except the expected execution of Riel. There is considerable excitement among the French Canadians, but it is not believed that the agitation among them will reach the point of a disturbance. dis-turbance. . Regina, November 15. The special messenger mes-senger bringing the warrant signed by the Governor-General of Canada directing that the execution of Louis Riel, leader of the Canadian half-breeds in their recent rebellion, rebel-lion, should take place in accordance with the verdict of the jury which tried him, arrived ar-rived here on a special train at 8 o'clock tonight. to-night. There is now no further doubt that biel will meet his fate On the scaffold at some hour to-morrow. The arrival of the warrant was a surprise to even many of the- omcialsy-whoywing'to the late hour and previous delays, had ar gued that another respite would follow. Riel received the formal intelligence at 9 o'clock to-night,in his cell in the guard-room of the mounted police barracks, three miles west of this city. The intelligence was conveyed con-veyed to him in person by High Sheriff Chapleau. The scene was in many respects remarkable. The famous rebel's cell is immediately im-mediately adjacent to the guard-room of the troops doing night patrol duty, fully fifty of whom occupied the room. Through the iron gate in front of the cell was an armed sentinel sen-tinel on duty, and outside of the building a cordon of armed men were pacing their beats. The iron gate was thrown open on the approach of the high sheriff, and Colonel Irvine, commandant of the mounted police, and a representative of the Associated Press was allowed by courtesy to be present. ! Riel, who had been conversing with the surgeon sur-geon of the Po3t, arose and welcomed the sheriff in a hearty and thoroughly unconstrained uncon-strained manner. . His voice was modulated, and ' DISPLAYED NO SIGN OF EXCITEMENT. His initial greeting was, "Well, so you have come with the great announcement." Riel, continuing in the same cheery way, said, "I am glad that at last I am to be cleared from my sufferings." He then broke off into French, and thanked the sheriff for his personal per-sonal consideration. He proceeded again in English, "I desire that my body be given to my friends, to be laid in St. Boniface." This is the French cemetery across Red River from the City of Winnipeg. The- sheriff asked him if he had any wishes to convey as to the disposition of his personal estate or effects, "Mon cher," replied he, "I have only this." touching hia "breast above the region of the heart; "This I gave to my country fifteen yeara ago, and it is all I have to give now." He was asked as to his peace of mind. He replied, " I LONG AGO MADE MY PEACE WITH MY GOD, And am as prepared now as I can be at any time. You will find that I had a mission to perform. ' I want you to thank my friends in Quebec for all they have done for me." He continued, in reply to another, " I am willing to go. I shall be permitted to say something on the scaffold ?" he . said, in a tone of inquiry.- When told that he would be allowed to, he said, : smilingly, " You think I may speak long, that it will unnerve me. Oh, no, I shall not be weak. I shall feel that when the moment comes I shall have wings which will carry me upward." Then, reverting again to the French tongue, and in an inimitable winning way for whioh he is famed to all those who have known him closely, he spoke again of the kind remembrance re-membrance he would retain of those who espoused his personal cause. He closed by saying to Sheriff Chapleau, as he held out his hand to him in parting, ". Adieu, Mon Ami." TTia eye was clear and unflinching, and his bearing throughout was such as to evoke a sense of admiration by the absence of any tremor of excitement. If he ever showed the white feather undar fire, or on any occasion, he succeeded in keeping him-1 self admirably under oommand in presence of his own approaching fate.' Pere Andre, his spiritual adviser, then arrived, and he was left with him to celebrate mass. . - SERIOUS FEELING IN MONTREAL. Montbeal, November 15. A fight over the Riel question took place here last iiight between be-tween some Frenoh-Canadians, and some men of other nationalities. During the disturbance dis-turbance one of the men engaged, an Englishman, Eng-lishman, drew a revolver, but it was snatched from him before any harm could be done. The feeling among the French Canadians here to-day over the probable execution of Riel was strained, but, as yet, no. serious trouble is expected. GUARDING AGAINST BIEL's ESCAPE. . Regina, November 15. Riel has been confined con-fined in the guard room of the Canadian mounted police barracks, whose headquarters headquar-ters at the post is located on the open prairie, three miles west of this city, ever since the conclusion of his trial here in the month of July.- 'His trial and sentence occurred at this city, which is the capital of the'vast territory stretching north as far as Alaska, west to British Columbia, and known as the Northwest Territory. The Territorial Council Coun-cil meets here,- and it is likewise the. official residence of the "Lieutenant-Governor and other high appointive IJominion officials. The leader, Metis, of the half-breeds in . . iMMMUlU I I III HI I IMS Mllll their two revolts against the authority of the Canadian government, has been kept under the closest surveillance by a force of mounted mount-ed police stationed here. The latter is a very showy body of mounted troops, wearing scarlet jackets, blue trousers and fur caps, like British dragoons. Ever since the denial of the Imperial Council of Great Britain to grant an appeal in behalf of Riel to overturn over-turn the verdict returned against him, the espionage has been more strict than ever, both to guard against the escape of their State prisoner and to prevent any attempt at rescue. which might be made by his countrymen country-men in Canada or over the American border. Ninety men were told off for this duty Saturday Satur-day night, and last night even this number was increased,, videttes occcupying commanding com-manding points a mile from the barracks and a double cordon being about . the camp proper. The prison of Riel is a long, wooden structure, one story in height, with, a long, slanting roof and small windows -under the eaves, grated with iron. Two reliefs off guard occupied the room in the front portion, of the building, while six sentuiela paced up and down continuously outside the structure. Another sentinel paced in front of the cell of the condemned half-breed, and precautions precau-tions extended so far that the officer of the guard was compelled to visit and certify that he had visited his prisoner each quarter-hour. '?s?Jz-tL oiirivM 2 .aoBKQuctusLr , . .'"guabded r -' And possibly there never was a captive during dur-ing the full period of his imprisonment less in need of a watchman. In his outward deportment, de-portment, whatever his character may have been in the field as a martial leader of his countrymen, in prison he has fallen a little short of a religeuse; his time has been devoted de-voted assiduously to prayer. Even when given his constitutional on the open ground adjoining the guard-room for one hour each morning, he has paced back and forth with his hands clasped together in front, his head bowed, with prayers issuing from his lips, versed in either French or Indian Cree tongue. Soon after his capture by the Canadian Cana-dian troops, he professed to throw off his allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church, and took the guise of a prophet, claiming to see visions and foretelling events. Latterly, as his fate seemed more surely sealed, he has sought. THE COMFORT AGAIN OF HIS ORIGINAL FAITH, And his constant, almost only companion for the past two weeks has been Pere Andre, from Fort Albert, close to the scene of the recent rebellion. The Churchman's visits have been twice daily, and in his absence Riel was frequently kneeling at his couch in prayer. The remainder has been SDent in writing out predictions of the future and a defense of his conduct in leading the half-breeds half-breeds twice to war. The papers have all been entrusted to Pere Andre, and will doubtless be produced at some time in the future, although the Prelate refuses to surrender sur-render them now. No one, no matter what his credentials, was permitted to pass through the guard room to see the prisoner in his cell, and the immediate friends of the condemned man, even, did not see him, though no restriction was placed - upon them. He received a few days ago A LETTER FBOM HIS AGED MOTHER, Which affected him visibly, but at no other time during his confinement did he show any signs of the weakness which was imputed im-puted to him after his capture by the Canadian Cana-dian scouts. The strict privacy of the prisoner pris-oner was broken down yesterday for the first time, when a representative of the Associated Associ-ated Press was permitted to visit the prisoner in company of the high sheriff and commandant of the mounted police. This was on the occasion of the formal announcement announce-ment that his death warrant had arrived. The colloquy which ensued was embraced in last night's dispatches. - , THE CHARM OF THE BEBEL'S MANNEB Was undeniable. . He anticipated what the ; sheriff . wonld say-in-hia. own greeting. : . "Wellr you - have- come with the great announcement. an-nouncement. I am glad." He spoke slowly, but very distinctly, looking at the sheriff with resolute eye and without a tinge of braggadocio. He rallied the sheriff, when the latter suggested that he should not speak toojlong. ''You think I will speak too long; that I will be unnerved. Oh, no; AT THE LAST MOMENT I WILL BE ITBM." There was a trace of French in his accent, which did not lessen the charm of his speech. His beard was dark brown, neatly trimmed, and his hair was brushed back from his high forehead, with a tendency to curl, in contrast con-trast to the straight hair of his Indian progenitors. pro-genitors. His nose was slightly Roman, and his skin dark, but not swarthy. Looking at him, and witnessing his manner, it was easy to discern the influence he had with his people. His address was that of a skilled courtier, and his college training has never deserted him in the perfection and grace of his speech, all the more remarkable in contrast con-trast to that of his followers. While it has been charged that he has shown a lack of spirit on the battlefield or in the presence of danger, no one would nr ge it against him in witnessing the nonchalance in his bearing and the suavity of his speech in acknow- ledging the fiat of his doom. THE STOICISM LENT BY THE SAVAGE STRAIN In his blood, it would be conceded, stood him well as he urged his final plea that he was urged on his career by the motive of a patriot. "I have only this," striking his breast, "to leave, and this I tendered to my conntry fifteen years ago, and am willing to give now." Bevond the priests who visited him. it was the fate of Riel that there were none of his former companions, from political personal fear, that found their way to his cell, and-beyond and-beyond the announcement of the results of the various stages of his trial, he had . no knowledge of passing events or the criticisms Eassed upon his career. His concluding ours were passed in the sole company of his spiritual adviser, who performed masses for him during the early portion of the night. Riel then laid down and appeared to sleep soundly, awakening at an early hour again and resuming his devotions. EXECUTED AT 8:23 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING. - Regina, November 16. Louis David Riel was executed on the scaffold at the barracks bar-racks of the mounted police force, near this city, for high treason against the Queen of Great Britain, at 8:23 o'clock this morning, mountain time. The extraordinarv precautions against the possible escape of Riel, or the intrusion into the barracks by unauthorized persons, was observed again this morning. At a mile from the barracks mounted patrols challenged chal-lenged all persons and compelled them to disclose written passes. Two other lines of guards were stationed at points nearer the post, where the same precautions were again observed. No one was permitted to enter the guard-rooms until 8:12 o'clock. The scene represented then was that of , BIEL ON THE SCAFFOLD, With Pere Andre and Father Mc Williams celebrating mass.. Riel was on his bended ' knee, wearing a loose woolen surtout, gray trousers and a woolen shirt. On his feet were moccasins, the only feature of his dress that partook of the Indian that was in ! him. He received the notice to proceed to the scaffold in the same composed manner shown the preceding night on receiving the warning of his fate. His face was full of color, and he appeared to have complete self -possesion, responding to the service in a clear tone. The prisoner decided only a moment before starting for the scaffold not to make a speech. This was owing .to the earnest solicitation of both priests attending him. He displayed an inclination at the last moment mo-ment to make an address, but Pere Andre reminded him of his promise, and he then arose and walked toward the executioner, repeating his prayers to the last moment, the final word3 escaping him being, "Merci, Jesu." HE DIED WITHOUT. A STBUGGLB. Not to exceed twenty persons were permitted within the confines of the barracks to wit-i wit-i ness the execution, and it was certainly performed per-formed with decorum and dispatch. His body was taken in charge by the coroner, and the verdict usual in all State executions rendered. , |