A Choctaw Execution

Charles Dixon, a full blooJed Choctaw ludían of' 17 years of age, was convicted of' murdcr at Atoka, Ark., and sentenced to death. Af'ter the seutence he was aliowed to go home ('rom the oourt-room unrestntintd except by parole of' honor to be at the court house at Atoka at the hour appointed for his execution. During the interim lie went to Atoka with his stept'ather tbr the purpose oí' ordering his coffin. He ha 1 li is niuuKure taken and gave the orders for the ilUnosition of his body without the least appearance of concern. On Friday moming about 1U0 persons, most of them whites, gathered about the court-house to witness the execution. Up to within half an hour of the appointed time Dixon had not appeared. Some one asked whether there was not some likelihood of the prisoner breaking his parole. "If he is alive he will be here within ten minutes just as sure as the sun shines." The words had hardly been spoken when a murmur of " here he comes " was heard on all sides, and there rode up a young fellow, slight of build, tall and straight, but rather awkward in his movements. Alighting trom his pony the boy approaohed a little knut of I lidian women who were gathered around a blazing log. Without giving any attention to those around him ne sat down by a stump, and hanging down his head he seemed lost in moditation. Presently a venerable oíd ludían approached the boy and fpoke to hiiu in the Choctaw tongue, bidding him, as the interpreter said, to meet his fáte as became a Choctaw brave ; to remember that nothing but his life would atone for the lile he had taken, and uot to make the expiation grudgingly, but to meet his death feeling that his peo pie had done justice in condemning him. At about 11:45 o'clock the sheriff brought the docmed boy an entire change of clothing, which he put on. While Dixon was dressing for the grave, eager eyes watched bis every motion to discover, if possible, the least evidence of emotion, but he adjusted every button without a sign of tremor. Theu he at down on a blanket while his mother combed his hair. The sheriff then announced that the time had come. Dixon arose and walked to the spot pointed out by the officer, and stood facing his ti'iffin. The stepfather held his right hand, bis cousin bupporting him on the left. The same oíd man who had spoken to Dixon before now made a mark with charooal upon the boy's breast, just over the heart, and Mpoke a few words of encouragement. The sheriff then bound a handkerchief over Dixon's eyes, commanded him to kneel, and immediiitely thereafter beckoned a man who liad until then keptout of sight. This was Abner Woods a cousin of the condemned. Lhxon had chosen him to do the shooting. Abner advauced, and taking his position about five paces froiu the boy, he leveled his WÍDchester rifle, took steady aim aod lirod. The ball went to the mark. Almost simult.ineously with the report of the rifle Jixon feil forward, uttered a groan and died without a struggle. The motherofthedead took charge of the remains, which were l uried by a i'ew frionds. The entire proeeediiiK passtil without a -emblance of excitement. Kverything wasconducted properly ancl deoorously. As oootntted wiih the civilized mode of punishtuent the Choctaw mothod is more humane, more cffcctive, and is nmre likuly to deter others from capital ofi'iii