Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-06-07


e. and that body Immediately adjourned, to meet
next day, for the purpose of attending the funeral
FRIDAY, May 31-SENArE
Both Houses were engaged in the funeral solemni-
ties of the Hon. F. H. Elmore, consequently no bust
ness was transacted. Both adjourned until Monday
Justice at the Gold Mines.
The following account of trial and execution is
from a volume published by Lea & Blanchard, of
Philadelphia, entitled Sir Months at the Gold
Mines"
"A scene occurred about this time that exhibits
in a striking light the summary manner in which
justice is dispensed in a community where there
are no legal tribunals. We received report the
Afternoon of January 2Oth that five had been
arrested at the dry dggins and under trial for
robbery. The circumstances were these A Mex
lean gambler, named Lopez having in his possession
a large amount of money. retired to his room at
night and was surprised about midnight by five men
rushing into his apartment of whom applied q
pistol to his head while the others barred the door
and proceeded to rifle his trunk. An alarm being
given some of the citizens rushed in, and arrested
the whole party. Next day they were tried by a
jury chosen from among the citizens, and sentenced
to receive thirtynine ashes each, the following
morning. Never having witnessed punishm ent in
fcted by Lynch law, went over to the diggins on
clear Sunday morning, and my arrival found a
large crowd collected around oak tree to which
was dashed with barred back while another
was applying raw cowhide to his already gored
flesh guard of dozen men, with loaded rifles
of attempt being made to escape After the whole
OF them had been fogged some fresh charges were
preferred against three of the men-two Frenchmen,
named Garcia and Bissi, and Chileno named Man
uel These were charged with robbery and at
tempt to murder, the Stanslaus river, during the
previous fall The unhappy men were removed to
q ne:ghboring house, and being weak from their
punishment as to be unable to stand, were stretched
upon the floor. AS it not possible for them to
attend they tried in the open air, in their alb
| hV Of two hnnH r7nn hO
had organized themselves into jury, and appointed
pro tempOre Judge. The charges against them were
we'll substantated, but amounted to nothing more
than an attempt at robbery and murder; overt
act being even alleged They were known to be bad
men, however, and general sentiment seemed to
prevail in the crowd that they ought to be got rid Of
At the close of the trial which lasted thirty min
utes, the judge put to vote the question: whether they
had been proved guilty. universal affirmative was
the responce and then the question hat punish
ment shall be inflicted 7! asked. A BRUTAL
looking fellow in the crowd, cried out, Hang them
The proposition seconded, and met with almost
universal appreciation. | mounted stump; and in
the name Of God, humanity, and law, protested a.
gainst such course of proceedings but the crowd.
by this time excited by frequent and deep rotations
of liquor from neig hboring groggery, would listen
to nothing contrary to their brutal desires, and
threatened to hang me if did not Immediately de-
sist from any further remarks. Somewhat fearful
that such might be my fate, and seeing the utter
uselessness of further argument with them ceased
and prepared to witness the horrible tragedy. Thir-
ty minutes only allowed the unhappy victims tc
prepare themselves to enter the Of eternity
Three ropes procured and attached 20 the limL
of a tree. The prisoners were marched out, placed
upon wagon, and the ropes put round their necks
No time was given them for explanation. They
vainly tried to speak, but of them understand
ing English, they were obliged to employ their ma
tive tongues, which but few of those assembled un
derstood. Vany they called for interpreter, fol
their cries were drowned by the yels of now infu
rated mob. A black handkerchief was bound around
the eyes of each their pinioned and at {
given signal without priest prayerbook, the wag
on was drawn from under them. and they were
launched into eternity Their graves were dug ready
to receive them and, when life entirely extinct
they were cut down and buried in their blankets
This was the first excitement ever witnessed Coz
grant that it may be the last"
= NORTHERN ENTERPRIsE-In commenting upon al
article in the Mississippian the New York Evening
E Post ntimates that there are Northern men read,
for a speculation in the sale of slaves in California
tor says:
'If Southern planters do not engage in this enter
prise there men at the north enterprising enoug
and unprincpled enough to adopt this idea-to bu
up gangs of slaves and take them to country wher
, their value will be enormously enhanced and thei
labor employed with the certainty of much prodiga
returns"
We are we'll aware that with large class of on
physical opponents at the North, their moral princi
pies are always set to the tune of the almighty dol
lar, and if the curtain could be raised which hide
the real motives Of the free soler it would be