The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-08
From The San Ffaneisco Herald, .aug. %.
Reeapture and Execution Of Whitaker and
Mckenzie.

i nCeuPtuTo au0 EAceutiOM "a W mhssdAcT anu
! Mckenzie.
| About quarter past two o'clock yesterday
afternoon, the Jail was forcibly entered by di-
vision OF the vigilance committee, consisting Of
thirty-six members and the prisoners Whitaker
and Mckenzie taken and carried to the room of
the committee, on Battery street, where they
were hung.
THE RESCUE.
The circumstances of the proceeding are as
follows :-The Rev. Mr.. Williams, as has been
his custom on Sundays for some weeks past,
was engaged in religious exercises with the pris-
oners, who had been brought out from their
cells into the yard or area between the inner
wall of the prison and the high wooden fence
that surrounds il. There were about eight spec
tators present. and among them two children Of
the clergyman. The hymn had been concluded
and the minister was offering up prayer when
a noise as Of persons endeavoring to force the
door in the wooden barricade was heard. Capt
Lambert attempted to keep it fastened, but II
was burst through, and the detachment oft thirty
six men rushed in One portion instantly pin
toned the officers on guard, and effectually pre-
vented any interference on their part, while
another portion seized Whitaker and McKen-
zie to bear them off. They, however, struggled
and resisted until forciby carried off by their
remained overcome with fear, and profoundly
quiet
Several shots were fired during the melee; it
is probable, as nobody was hurt, that the shots
fired by the attacking party were aimed at no
one, but were merely signals. One of the
guards, of whom there were four, including Capt.
Lambert, on duty at the time, came down from
his post on the top Of the Jail into the yard, and
n scrffie ensued between him and one of the at.
lacking party.
THE ROUTE TO THE COMMITTEE ROOMS.
| In the meantime, the prisoners had been hur-
ried off in carriage, provided for the occasion,
standing at the corner of Dupont and Broadway
reefs, but few steps from the Jail. Into this
they were thrust, followed by guard of the
committee. The driver piled his whip, and off
dashed the vehicle at the utmost speed, up Broad
way to Stockton street, along Stockton to
Washington street, down Washington to Du-
pont street, and through Dupont Sacramento,
Montgomery, and California streets, to the
rooms Of the committee, on Battery street
The whole affair was conducted with such
expedition, that before those In Montgomery
street, who knew of the rescue almost as soon
as it occurred, could run down to the committee
rooms, the prisoners had been carried Within
and the carriage was returning Before they
had yet reached the rooms, however, the bell Of
j the Monumental engine commenced to strike the
well known signal for the instant assemblage Of
the committee. All understood in an instant
how matters stood, and the whole city seemed
rushing towards Battery street.
THE EXECUTION
/ In an incredibly short space of time, ropes
were recved through the two blocks that hung
from beams projecting from the front of the
committee rooms, over the doors in the second
story, and the two ends were taken inside the
rooms. Nooses were made at the end of each,
and in minute the two criminals were seen led
to the doors in their shirt sleeves. The ropes
were adjusted around their necks. and In an In
slant they were ierked simultaneously into the
air, until their necks struck the blocks. They
descended little distance, and were again
| jerked up to the block, causing them to swing
violently to and fro. Their arms were pinioned
to their sides but McKenze's hands being free,
he caught the rope by which he was elevated in
his left hand; he was lowered for an instant,
causing him to loose his grasp, and all was over.
They said nothing to the multitude, who stood
gazing upon them and when at last they ceased
to vibrate not a conyulsion or movement Of any
kind could be seen. As they were launched into
eternity, a tremendous shout of satisfaction
went up from the crowd There they hung,
slowly swinging round, now exhibiting their
countenances to the spectators and again avert
ing them. Not a movement Of any kind was
made 10 interfere.
ADDRESSES TO THE PEOPLE, ETC.
When they had been hanging about half an
hour, Mr.. Samuel Brannan came to the open
door in the second story of the committees
building, and briefly addressed the crowd, in
forming them that the prisoners had confessed
4 their guilt, had acknowledged that they deserved
death, but affirmed that they would not have
been led to Pursue the course which had ended
at the gaows, had il not been for the weakness
and corruption of some Of tho authorities. Mr..
Brannan stated that the committee were fully
sensible Of tho solemnlty Of the occasion, the
fearful responsibility which the first law Of ma.
ture, self preservation, imposed upon them, but
they could not act otherwise than they had with
out holding out direct premium TO crime He
trusted that the committee would be supported
by the citizens when they did right, and would
receive their frowns when they acted wrong.
No innocent man need fear--lt was no gratfca.
ton 10 the committee to be compelled TO take
the life ofa fellow being, and in no case would
they do Il unless the proof Of guilt was beyond
cavil. He was followed bv DR.. Robinson, from
an elevation on the wharf, but his speech conld
only he heard a short distance from where he
stood. Mr. Payran was called for BY the as
semblage, and briefly addressed them he con.
cluded by stating that Il was the request Of the
committee that the bodies Of the unfortunate
men be allowed TO hang until the going down
Of the sun, TO be then delivered 10 the coroner,
should he demand them.
About this time, while the crowd was densely
packed upon the wharf cry was raised that the
railroad cars, loaded with earth, were defending
4 Immediately panic seized upon a portion OF
the crowd, who rushed wildly from the spot
By the exertions Of gentlemen present, they
were induced TO halt, othsrvise in the dreadful
press, serious accidents might have taken place
After the doomed men had been hanging
about an hour, they were lowered, and Mckenzie
taken into the rooms and bled by physician
present, TO see IL life was extinct Strange Va
say, even after hanging such length Of time
blood followed the stroke Of the lancet; he was
reported not vet dead, and again hauled up
into the air. The crowd stood quietly watching
this scene for several hours. Gradually, how.
ever, they began to dispense, and towards sun
down all had left the spot.