The Indian Journal
Eufaula, Ind. Terr.
Vol XVIII No 1
February 22, 1894 (Part 3)

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JOE DICK EXECUTED. The Murderer of Thomas Gray Pays the Penalty for His Crime at the Eufaula Court House. - The execution of Joe Dick, the young Indian who murdered Thomas Gray near Eufaula last August, came off at 3 o'clock last Friday evening at the Eufaula district court house, only a few spectators being present. A few minutes before the appointed hour he walked out of the court house and was told by his attorney, Bunnie McIntosh, who defended him without any fee, that the time was almost up for him to die and that if he had anything to say he was ready to hear it. After a prayer by Rev Wm McCombs, Bunnie McIntosh gave him a farewell talk. He confessed his crime to Bunnie <...>ately, saying that he did commit the crime that he was charged with, and that he fully realized that he was not justifyable, consequently he was willing to pay the death penalty. When the fatal hour rolled around the officers blindfolded him and placed him at the root of a big tree on a box. He sat up against the tree perfectly erect and his attorney placed a card directly over his heart and turned him over to the two officers who were to execute him, Rob Roberts and John Hawkins. They stepped back almost fifteen feet and when the command was given each shot a load into this heart, the bullets going in almost half inch apart and came out in his back almost the same distance. He gasped, uttered a groan, fell back and in six minutes expired. Capt Barney Green was standing just a few feet from Dick when he was shot and immediately advanced forward and straightened him out. Thus ended the short but wild career of Joseph Dick. He joined the Baptist church about a week before his execution and said that the angles in heaven awaited his coming, that his crime stained hands had been washed in the blood of the lamb and he had made his peace with God and man, and awaited with fortitude the time for his execution.
     The crime for which he was executed is horrible in the extreme. During the month of August, last year, he slipped upon Gray in a a lonely, desolate place in an old orchard and shot him in the back three times and then left him to decay and be devoured by the animals. Search was instituted for Gray three weeks before he was found. Two boys in there one evening discovered the remains there being nothing left but the bones. Officers were notified and the bones gathered up and buried. Dick was arrested a few days afterwards within a mile of the place and tried and convicted to be shot on the 4th of last September, but was granted a respite by Chief Perryman until the <...> of this month, and was duly executed according to Creek law.
     The history of Joe Dick's incarceration will read like a fairy story, but nevertheless it is true. Christmas week he told the officers that were guarding him that he was of a lively nature and would like to attend some of the dances that were going on through the country and if Capt. Green would lend him his horse and saddle he would report the next morning bright and early. Joe went to the dance, danced all night and reported the next morning for breakfast.
     At another time while John Hawkins, the officer that half executed him, had charge of Dick, fire wood became very scarce around he house and he volunteered to go to the woods and cut and haul in a load, promising to return. After being out about three hours he returned with a big load on his wagon.
     After that he was allowed to go anywhere he wanted if he would promise to report for duty at meal times. He was about 27 years old, a full blood Creek, and was of good family, like a great many young men he went astray, and was an outlaw. The Creeks have no jails, therefore the officers guard a prisoner after he is sentenced until he is executed.

Bird-songs, sunshine, poems of coming spring.

Walter Markham was called home Sunday evening.

New amendments have been added to the constitution of the Pal Delta Literary society.

Two wanders of sunny Italy paused awhile before our doors at noontide Tuesday and deluged our souls in a flood of melody. They were accompanied by a native of the African jungles who waltzed to the airs of the bagpipe and acted as cashier.

Mr. and Mrs. Ford of New York were present at the rhetorical exercises last Friday evening. Mr. Ford is the brother of Mrs. Crosby of Muskogee, who was formerly one of the B.I.U. faculty.

The B.I.U. was represented at the international council at Checotah by W Micco and Chinnubbie. They report that it was an occasion worthy of long rememberance because of the impressive assembly and the excellent philippize of Senator Dawes and Major Kidd: that this seemed to be the sentiment of the delegation: "We want no change." Indian, if you ignore the opportunity which has presented itself to you in the shadow of an imminent peril, and which if you should accept, would place you were all that pertain to your welfare would have you, you shall be guilty of wrongs and grievance to your posterity. The commission that is here to treat with you have, as everyone who thinks will admit, your dearest interest at heart; they wish to see you in harmony with advancement of the world; and have prescribed a plan, such as congress will not prescribe for you, to this end. If you are wise you will not suffer them to return without accepting his plan which they have submitted to your deliberations. - Chinubbie

The Kiowa and Comanche Indians have assumed a war like attitude and threatened to drive the cattlemen and stock from their reservations because they have received no grass-lease payments since October. The wire fences are being cut and cattle butchered by the malcontent Indians, many of whom are desperate at the leasers. It is feared the situation will become alarming unless they receive the money due the, which amounts to $60.00

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Mersrs Rufe Shaley, James and Henry Price, of Brush Hill, attended the I.O.O.F. lodge here Thursday night.

Mr. Jno. A Martin, of Texanna, was in town the first of the week.

Miss Annie Fisher, of Fisher town, spent several days in the city this week visiting friends.

The following people of Eufaula visited the International council Monday and Tuesday: Mr. and Mrs. J Burdett, J H Crabtree, Dr. W H Bailey, and Wm Sorbe.

Mr. J L McClure is on the sick list this week.

Hon Ellis B Childers, Creek delegate to Washington is attending the international council.

Mr. W J Lipscomb left Monday night for an extended trip through Arkansas.

We are glad to note that Dr. R L Stuart and Miss Anna Scott are at their posts having recovered from a severe attack of the mumps.

Mr. Frank McGuinity, of St. Francis, Kans., and Miss Susie Dunkerson were united in the holy bonds of wedlock last Sunday afternoon, Rev Baldwin tying the nuptial knot. May sorrow be unknown to them and their joys unbounded.

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