LAST LEGAL INDIAN EXECUTION IS IN NOVEMBER 1894 Compiled by John Stallings Woodward "Buttonhole Kinfolks 1994" Choctaw Indian executions came to an end Nov. 4, 1894 when Silion Lewis was shot to death at high noon near the small courthouse in which he was sentenced to die two years earlier by Judge H. J. Holson. Lewis was convicted of having a part in the death of Joe Hoklotubbee, then sheriff of Gaines County and also a leader in the Nationalist party of the Choctaw nation. Lewis was head of the opposing political party, the Progressive, and according to history reportedly admitted the slaying of Hoklotubbee. Lewis' wife, only 17 years old when she married her prominent husband, gave the following account in her own words to a reporter. "Lewis was about 64 years of age and a prominent an in the area of what now is Blanco. He owned more than 100 head of horses, several cows hogs and many acres of farming land. "Father was farming for Lewis on a sharecrop basis and the family lived in half of Lewis' home. We had known each other about a year before the marriage on June 4. "Lewis had admitted firing the gun that killed Hoklotubbee, but believed up until the last minute that his friends would not permit his execution for the murder. "He already had been sentenced to death and told to go home and make final preparations when the marriage took place. They asked him to report to the old council house near Wilburton on the morning of the execution. "We carried on a normal married life through the summer. Lewis managed his property as usual, but we made several trips to McAlester and Hartshorne. There were discussions on the trouble, but no plans were made beyond November. "On one of these trips to Hartshorne, we stopped at a photography shop to have a family portrait made. This is the only picture of Lewis during his life. As November drew nearer, friends began to plead with Lewis to leave and never come back, but he brushed off their warnings saying he had to go back and face the music. "About three weeks before the execution date, he was notified to turn himself in to the sheriff at Hartshorne. He strolled out into a pasture and selected his fastest race horse. "As he saddled the mount, father begged him not to go saying, 'You will never come back.' Lewis disagreed and said 'White man will never understand, but I have got to go.' "This was the last occasion I had to talk with my husband alone. He was firmly convinced that if negotiations for his freedom failed, countless friends and followers would make a dramatic rescue. "A week passed with no word from Lewis, then one day a messenger rode up with a request from Lewis to meet him at home near Hartshorne. He said Lewis was being held prisoner at the home. "I complied with the request and set out on the day-long journey. My husband was under guard during the one-week visit, and asked me to go back home. He seemed satisfied just at knowing I was there. "At the end of the week, he was transferred to another home. It was customary in the days of no jails to detain prisoners at various homes until disposition of their cases. "Another week passed and I was asked to come to Sheriff Frank Battles' home, near Hartshorne. It was time to start the trip to Wilburton. Father, mother and a six-year-old sister accompanied me on the wagon trip to the sheriff's home. "The officers would not permit me to talk to Lewis when we arrived. Twelve lawmen surrounded him and escorted our wagon toward its destination. "We neared a grocery store about halfway between the two towns and Lewis asked the lawmen to stop for him to draw up his last will. "A small creek located near the courthouse appeared to be an excellent camping site for the ensuing week. All activities around the council house could be clearly observed from the location selected. "The next five days passed without further action taken in the case. Lewis was constantly guarded. He was permitted to eat his meals at our camp. During the day, he walked leisurely about the area, but did not go far away. "After breakfast on the final day, Lewis and I went to look at some caskets located in a crudely constructed building beside the courthouse. Three rough pine boxes were there for condemned prisoners to chose from. "Here Lewis made his final request, "I don't want to be buried in one of these things. Take me home and place the body beside my two children." Promises of burial according to his wishes were made. "About 10 a.m., officials started gathering around the courthouse to repeat the death sentence. It was mandatory to read the court verdict before an execution. Lewis was an execution. Lewis was called in for the announcement. "He emerged a few minutes later and walked toward the camp site. His face showed signs of tension as he paced up and down a roadway near the camp. Not a word was spoken, but it was apparent that hope of being rescued was fast disappearing. He was scheduled before the firing squad at 12 o'clock noon. "Rumors of a rescue continued to circulate among a crowd of some 300 persons gathered to witness the event. The sheriff was in sympathy with Lewis and said, "If they come we will give him up without a fight." "A messenger galloped into the area shouting, a large force of armed men were preparing to attack. The sheriff ordered us to the other side of a small hill and led Lewis off in an opposite direction. "About 10 minutes later, a shot rang out and we knew the execution had been carried out. "Three men held Lewis on the ground, while one smothered him with a large handkerchief. He had been shot on the right chest. "He gasped for breath and tried to talk, but his mouth was quickly covered with the cloth. In a few seconds he was dead. "Two men helped put his body in a box and load it into the wagon for the long trip home. Our first stop was to be at a Hartshorne funeral home to have the body prepared for burial. "Darkness came before we arrived at Hartshorne and it was necessary to camp at a nearby creek. A wolf pack soon detected the smell of blood and came howling toward camp. They were after Lewis' body. "The horses began to snort and attempt to break loose, as the wolves neared. Father built a large bon-fire hoping it would frighten the wild animals away. "The fire served its purpose. It was kept burning through the night, while about a dozen wolves circled the camp, their eyes glowing in through the darkness. "Daylight saw the pack disappear and our wagon pulled into Hartshorne about noon. An undertaker dressed Lewis in a new suit and put him in another casket. About five hours later, he was buried a few feet from his home. His last wish, for a respectable burial beside two children of a former marriage, was granted." Complied by John Stallings Woodward, "Buttonhole Kinfolks" 1994, pages A-28 & A-29. Memo: The Woodward home was approximately one quarter mile north of the Hoklotubbe home site. After Joe Hoklotubbe was murdered, he was buried west of the section line between two mulberry trees. During the 1930's grave-robbers dug into the grave looking for buried Indian treasure. Of course they didn't find anything.      These graphics were done by an artist and are the property of the artist. They are not for the taking - visit the artist's web site by clicking on her name below. If you wish to use any of them, you must contact the artist and ask for permission to use them. 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