HE TRIED THE SHORT SHIFT
_________
Pohewah, the Red Murderer, Made Determined Effort to Suicide.
_________
PIECE OF BROKEN GLASS.
_________
Three Wounds. Thought He Was to Be Hanged. Smoking at Death’s Door – He is Dead.
_________
Pohewah, the ex-sub chief of the Shoshone Indians added another tragical act to his life’s drama. The stolid old Indian could not bear the idea of being sent to prison any longer, and attempted suicide in his cell in the county jail yesterday morning. He came pretty close to accomplishing his purpose. It is an old maxim among those familiar with Indian life, that you might as well shoot an Indian as confine him. This would seem to apply very aptly in Pohewah’s case.
Pohewah seemed to rest very well Friday night, so Night Guard Sharpless thought. Pohewah had not conversed with any Indians since the jury rendered their verdict of his guilt of manslaughter and was supposed to be in ignorance of the same. It is thought now, however, that he understood that he was found guilty and the thought of longer imprisonment made life unbearable and he decided to join the braves in the happy hunting ground beyond the great and mystic river.
About 7:30 Deputy Wilkes entered the jail. He was promptly notified of the condition of Pohewah and summoned Dr. Wyman. Sheriff Kelley was also called.
The Indian was in a stupor, quiet, …, and the pulsations of the heart were almost imperceptible. At first Dr. Wyman said the prisoner was dead. Just as this verdict was pronounced a slight heaving of Pohewah's breast was noticed. Then the surgeon and others went to work in earnest to bring the Shoshone back to life. Whisky in extravagant quantities was injected about the heavy breast. In a short time motions of the head and deep grunts denoted a positive return to animation.
Pohewah and his bed were dragged out into the corridor and Frank Montgomery, the burglar, installed as nurse. At midnight the redman was sleeping, after having enjoyed copious drinks of beef tea and other stimulants. He will be able to be about in a week and in a fortnight will be fully recovered.
Four friends called on Pohewah last evening. The substance of the interview was learned from them through Norkok, the intelligent and pleasant interpreter. Pohewah had been informed by some joker, in the sign language, that he was to be hanged. He preferred any death to disgrace on the gallows. When told that he would only go to prison, the weak man only shook his head.
Around the jail they had the cause of the suicide figured to a nicety. Pohewah had said numberless times that one “snow” was “good,” but that two “snows, me die.” This was taken to meant that he would stand one year, but that a double of the dose would impel him to end his life. On Friday evening and through the night when awakened from naps, Pohewah said something about five “snows” and that it was no good. Thus it was concluded that someone had told him he would go up for five years.
Oscar Sharpless heard a slight disturbance in the jail while he was yet in the main hall of the court house, but did not think it amounted to anything.
Pohewah has been a good prisoner. He had a chance to escape when Miller, Kingen and a darkey took to the prairie nearly a year ago, but preferred to remain.
Deputy Sheriff Robert Caverly of Evanston, who is here attending United States court, said he had had in his charge three Indians, and every one of the committed suicide after they had been sentenced.
Dead.
Pohewah died at 3:35 this morning.
© Excerpts from Cheyenne Daily Sun November 20, 1892, page 3
Obituary located by Lostnwyomn March 2015.
_________
Pohewah, the Red Murderer, Made Determined Effort to Suicide.
_________
PIECE OF BROKEN GLASS.
_________
Three Wounds. Thought He Was to Be Hanged. Smoking at Death’s Door – He is Dead.
_________
Pohewah, the ex-sub chief of the Shoshone Indians added another tragical act to his life’s drama. The stolid old Indian could not bear the idea of being sent to prison any longer, and attempted suicide in his cell in the county jail yesterday morning. He came pretty close to accomplishing his purpose. It is an old maxim among those familiar with Indian life, that you might as well shoot an Indian as confine him. This would seem to apply very aptly in Pohewah’s case.
Pohewah seemed to rest very well Friday night, so Night Guard Sharpless thought. Pohewah had not conversed with any Indians since the jury rendered their verdict of his guilt of manslaughter and was supposed to be in ignorance of the same. It is thought now, however, that he understood that he was found guilty and the thought of longer imprisonment made life unbearable and he decided to join the braves in the happy hunting ground beyond the great and mystic river.
About 7:30 Deputy Wilkes entered the jail. He was promptly notified of the condition of Pohewah and summoned Dr. Wyman. Sheriff Kelley was also called.
The Indian was in a stupor, quiet, …, and the pulsations of the heart were almost imperceptible. At first Dr. Wyman said the prisoner was dead. Just as this verdict was pronounced a slight heaving of Pohewah's breast was noticed. Then the surgeon and others went to work in earnest to bring the Shoshone back to life. Whisky in extravagant quantities was injected about the heavy breast. In a short time motions of the head and deep grunts denoted a positive return to animation.
Pohewah and his bed were dragged out into the corridor and Frank Montgomery, the burglar, installed as nurse. At midnight the redman was sleeping, after having enjoyed copious drinks of beef tea and other stimulants. He will be able to be about in a week and in a fortnight will be fully recovered.
Four friends called on Pohewah last evening. The substance of the interview was learned from them through Norkok, the intelligent and pleasant interpreter. Pohewah had been informed by some joker, in the sign language, that he was to be hanged. He preferred any death to disgrace on the gallows. When told that he would only go to prison, the weak man only shook his head.
Around the jail they had the cause of the suicide figured to a nicety. Pohewah had said numberless times that one “snow” was “good,” but that two “snows, me die.” This was taken to meant that he would stand one year, but that a double of the dose would impel him to end his life. On Friday evening and through the night when awakened from naps, Pohewah said something about five “snows” and that it was no good. Thus it was concluded that someone had told him he would go up for five years.
Oscar Sharpless heard a slight disturbance in the jail while he was yet in the main hall of the court house, but did not think it amounted to anything.
Pohewah has been a good prisoner. He had a chance to escape when Miller, Kingen and a darkey took to the prairie nearly a year ago, but preferred to remain.
Deputy Sheriff Robert Caverly of Evanston, who is here attending United States court, said he had had in his charge three Indians, and every one of the committed suicide after they had been sentenced.
Dead.
Pohewah died at 3:35 this morning.
© Excerpts from Cheyenne Daily Sun November 20, 1892, page 3
Obituary located by Lostnwyomn March 2015.
HE TRIED THE SHORT SHIFT
_________
Pohewah, the Red Murderer, Made Determined Effort to Suicide.
_________
PIECE OF BROKEN GLASS.
_________
Three Wounds. Thought He Was to Be Hanged. Smoking at Death’s Door – He is Dead.
_________
Pohewah, the ex-sub chief of the Shoshone Indians added another tragical act to his life’s drama. The stolid old Indian could not bear the idea of being sent to prison any longer, and attempted suicide in his cell in the county jail yesterday morning. He came pretty close to accomplishing his purpose. It is an old maxim among those familiar with Indian life, that you might as well shoot an Indian as confine him. This would seem to apply very aptly in Pohewah’s case.
Pohewah seemed to rest very well Friday night, so Night Guard Sharpless thought. Pohewah had not conversed with any Indians since the jury rendered their verdict of his guilt of manslaughter and was supposed to be in ignorance of the same. It is thought now, however, that he understood that he was found guilty and the thought of longer imprisonment made life unbearable and he decided to join the braves in the happy hunting ground beyond the great and mystic river.
About 7:30 Deputy Wilkes entered the jail. He was promptly notified of the condition of Pohewah and summoned Dr. Wyman. Sheriff Kelley was also called.
The Indian was in a stupor, quiet, …, and the pulsations of the heart were almost imperceptible. At first Dr. Wyman said the prisoner was dead. Just as this verdict was pronounced a slight heaving of Pohewah's breast was noticed. Then the surgeon and others went to work in earnest to bring the Shoshone back to life. Whisky in extravagant quantities was injected about the heavy breast. In a short time motions of the head and deep grunts denoted a positive return to animation.
Pohewah and his bed were dragged out into the corridor and Frank Montgomery, the burglar, installed as nurse. At midnight the redman was sleeping, after having enjoyed copious drinks of beef tea and other stimulants. He will be able to be about in a week and in a fortnight will be fully recovered.
Four friends called on Pohewah last evening. The substance of the interview was learned from them through Norkok, the intelligent and pleasant interpreter. Pohewah had been informed by some joker, in the sign language, that he was to be hanged. He preferred any death to disgrace on the gallows. When told that he would only go to prison, the weak man only shook his head.
Around the jail they had the cause of the suicide figured to a nicety. Pohewah had said numberless times that one “snow” was “good,” but that two “snows, me die.” This was taken to meant that he would stand one year, but that a double of the dose would impel him to end his life. On Friday evening and through the night when awakened from naps, Pohewah said something about five “snows” and that it was no good. Thus it was concluded that someone had told him he would go up for five years.
Oscar Sharpless heard a slight disturbance in the jail while he was yet in the main hall of the court house, but did not think it amounted to anything.
Pohewah has been a good prisoner. He had a chance to escape when Miller, Kingen and a darkey took to the prairie nearly a year ago, but preferred to remain.
Deputy Sheriff Robert Caverly of Evanston, who is here attending United States court, said he had had in his charge three Indians, and every one of the committed suicide after they had been sentenced.
Dead.
Pohewah died at 3:35 this morning.
© Excerpts from Cheyenne Daily Sun November 20, 1892, page 3
Obituary located by Lostnwyomn March 2015.
_________
Pohewah, the Red Murderer, Made Determined Effort to Suicide.
_________
PIECE OF BROKEN GLASS.
_________
Three Wounds. Thought He Was to Be Hanged. Smoking at Death’s Door – He is Dead.
_________
Pohewah, the ex-sub chief of the Shoshone Indians added another tragical act to his life’s drama. The stolid old Indian could not bear the idea of being sent to prison any longer, and attempted suicide in his cell in the county jail yesterday morning. He came pretty close to accomplishing his purpose. It is an old maxim among those familiar with Indian life, that you might as well shoot an Indian as confine him. This would seem to apply very aptly in Pohewah’s case.
Pohewah seemed to rest very well Friday night, so Night Guard Sharpless thought. Pohewah had not conversed with any Indians since the jury rendered their verdict of his guilt of manslaughter and was supposed to be in ignorance of the same. It is thought now, however, that he understood that he was found guilty and the thought of longer imprisonment made life unbearable and he decided to join the braves in the happy hunting ground beyond the great and mystic river.
About 7:30 Deputy Wilkes entered the jail. He was promptly notified of the condition of Pohewah and summoned Dr. Wyman. Sheriff Kelley was also called.
The Indian was in a stupor, quiet, …, and the pulsations of the heart were almost imperceptible. At first Dr. Wyman said the prisoner was dead. Just as this verdict was pronounced a slight heaving of Pohewah's breast was noticed. Then the surgeon and others went to work in earnest to bring the Shoshone back to life. Whisky in extravagant quantities was injected about the heavy breast. In a short time motions of the head and deep grunts denoted a positive return to animation.
Pohewah and his bed were dragged out into the corridor and Frank Montgomery, the burglar, installed as nurse. At midnight the redman was sleeping, after having enjoyed copious drinks of beef tea and other stimulants. He will be able to be about in a week and in a fortnight will be fully recovered.
Four friends called on Pohewah last evening. The substance of the interview was learned from them through Norkok, the intelligent and pleasant interpreter. Pohewah had been informed by some joker, in the sign language, that he was to be hanged. He preferred any death to disgrace on the gallows. When told that he would only go to prison, the weak man only shook his head.
Around the jail they had the cause of the suicide figured to a nicety. Pohewah had said numberless times that one “snow” was “good,” but that two “snows, me die.” This was taken to meant that he would stand one year, but that a double of the dose would impel him to end his life. On Friday evening and through the night when awakened from naps, Pohewah said something about five “snows” and that it was no good. Thus it was concluded that someone had told him he would go up for five years.
Oscar Sharpless heard a slight disturbance in the jail while he was yet in the main hall of the court house, but did not think it amounted to anything.
Pohewah has been a good prisoner. He had a chance to escape when Miller, Kingen and a darkey took to the prairie nearly a year ago, but preferred to remain.
Deputy Sheriff Robert Caverly of Evanston, who is here attending United States court, said he had had in his charge three Indians, and every one of the committed suicide after they had been sentenced.
Dead.
Pohewah died at 3:35 this morning.
© Excerpts from Cheyenne Daily Sun November 20, 1892, page 3
Obituary located by Lostnwyomn March 2015.
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