EXECUTION OF RIEL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2110, 16 January 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXECUTION OF RIEL.

Lopis Riel was hanged at the barracks of the Mounted Police, near Regina, Philadelphia, at 5.2,5 a.m., on Monday, the lGth November. The messenger carrying the Governor-general's warrant for the execution arrived at Regina at eight o'olock the previous night. The warrant was read out to Riel in his cell at about nine o'clock by the «hpt«ff, Mr Chapleau. The prisoner heard it without showing excitement, and thanked the sheriff fo/ his personal kindness. He said that he desired his friends to procure his body for burial in St. Boniface Cemetery at Winnipeg. Riel spent part of the night with Pere Andre*, who celebrated mass, and the condemned man afterwards slept soundly. Great precautions were taken on Monday to guard the barracks. Nobody was permitted to enter the guard-room till after eight o'clock in the morning. Those who went in were Riel, Pure Andre, and Father M' Williams. The priests were celebrating mass. Riel waa kneeling. He wore a loose woollen surtout, grey trowsers, and a woollen shirt, with mocassins. He received notice to proceed to the scaffold with the same composed manner as he had shown on the preceding night when the warrant was read. He was selfpossessed, his face full of colour, and he responded during the service in clear tones. The prisoner had intended to make u speech, but decided only the moment before mounting the scaffold not to say anything. He adopted this course at the earnest desire ot the priest. After mounting the scaffold he again displayed an inclination to deliver an address, but Pen* Andre* reminded him of his promise. He then walked towards the executioner, repeating his prayers until the last moment, the final words escaping his lips being " Merci, Je*sus." He died ! without a itruggle. The executioner performed his duties with decorum and dispatch. Barely twenty spectators were present. The coroner afterwards took charge of the body, and the usual verdict was returned by a jury. A demonstration intended as a protest against the execution of Riel took place at Montreal on Tuesday. A crowd, estimated at from 11,000 to 12,000 persons, assembled on the Champ de Mars, led by French students, and burned two elßgies of the Ministers. They then proceeded to Victoria-square and burnt Sir John Macdonalds effigy against the statue of the Queen, which was scorched and blackened. The crowd next proceeded to the house of Colonel Quinet, who commanded the 65th Regiment during Riel's rebellion, and burnt his effigy. They were abouf to batter in the door, when the mayor appeared and persuaded them to disperse. Somewhat similar demonstrations took place in Quebec.

Thf oldest solicitor in London is dead, His name is Robert Gamlen, and aged ninety-four. One of the London weeklies remarks : — Polling places in the Scotch islands have been arranged with great judgment. The electors in one island will have to cross twenty-three miles of sea to record their votes. Ox Oct. 20 a very successful meeting was held at the Mansion House, London, under the auspices of tne Lord Mayor, to support a movement for providing women doctors for the female inhabitants of In da.