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JOE DICK EXECUTED

 The Murderer of Thomas Gray Pays the Penalty for His Crime at the Eufaula Court House

February 22, 1894—Eufaula Journal-- The execution of Joe Dick, the young Indian who murdered Thomas Gray near Eufaula last August, came off at 3'oclock 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 about up for him to die and that if he had anything to say he was ready to hear it. After a prayer by Rev. William McCombs, Bunnie McIntosh gave him a farewell talk.

          He confessed his crime to Bunnie, privately, saying that he did commit the crime that he was charged with, and that he fully realized that he was not justifyable (sic), 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, Bob Roberts and John Hawkins, who were to execute him. They stepped back about fifteen feet and when the command was given, each shot a load into his heart, the bullets going in about half inch apart and came out in his back about 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 angels 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 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 was tried and convicted, to be shot on the 4th of last September; but, (he) was granted a respite by Chief Perryman until the 16th 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 the house and he volunteered to got 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 desired, if he would promise to report for duty at meal times. He was about 27 years old, a full blood Creek, and was of a 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.