The republic., 1851-08-15


thing would occur About half past one some one
came out Of the committee-room and read portion
of the confession which Stuart had made, and it
was iated that he would be hung in an hour. The
crowd sanctioned this proposition almost unani-
mousy The news spread, and large crowd soon
gathered. About half past two o'clock the COM
mittee came down stairs and formed three abreast
There were nearly thousand of them, principally
composed Of our oldest, best known, and most pro-
minent citizep1Hmerchants, bankers mechanics,
and business rheh of every description. Previous
TO this clergyman had been sent for, who re-
manned with Stuart some time.
"The procession moved up Battery street, pre-
ceded and followed by the crowd, with Stuart
handcutted and pinioned, near their centre. There
was no noise, no outcry, no apparent excitement,
and there was something awfuily solemn in the
measured tread Of the procession upon the Planked
street When the procession reached Market
street. and II was perceived that they were turning
down, rush was made TO secure good places, and
some time before the prisoner arrived every box,
bale, and barrel had its occupants. The decks and
rigging of the vessels lying around the wharf
were covered, and the wharf itself one perfect
of heads
"a gallows of plain uprghs and beam
had been erected, block with rope in it, and the
moose .ready made. On the way down Stuart ap-
peared perfectly cool and collected, and not at alb
excited When he reached the gallows the rope
was placed around his neck, and, with the cScep-
ton of slight paeness there was no change In his
appearance. no trembling, no agitation He ap-
peared to feel though he was satisfied with his
sentence, and did not desire to live longer. Jbe
resemblance between Stuart and Burdue was most
striking, and it is not at all strange that one should
have been taken for the other. The immense
crowd remained breathless, and Stuart, when un-
der the gallows. said, j die reconciled, my SEN
tence is just The rope was pulled, and in mo-
ment he was dangling in the air. AS he went up
he closed his eyes and clasped his hands together.
He had previously requested that his face might
not be covered. He scarcely gave a struggle, and
although the knot was on the back Of his neck, APP
peared to be in but little pain. slight contrac-
tion of the lower limbs and u strained heaving Of
the chest for a moment were all the symptoms Oh
approaching death. After hanging about hive min
utes his hat blew off, and exposed TO view the
ghastly features of the robber. When he had hung
about twenty minutes he was cut down by Coroner
Gallagher, placed in a boat and taken TO the fr5t
district police tion house.
"There was no attempt made at a rescue by the
authorities, and many persons In the city knew
nothing of the affair till it was 1t was con-
Quoted with the greatest order and quiet Heaven
grant that it may have a salutary effect. Stuart
arrested by the vigilance committee about a
week since. He was found removing stolen trunks,
and was tried before the committee Tor the muir
der of Moore, and upon variety OF other charges
1t is said that he has made some disclosures that
tend to criminate number OF men IN this city
whose characters have previously stood lair, and
that he has given the committee clues that will
enable them to break up the organized bands OF
villains in this State.'
Stuart's confession appears in the California pa
pers in full 1t is one of the most astonishing re-
ctas of crime we have ever seen. The San Fran
CISCO feFulQ mus comments on lnlS COuicbbloH.
"Stuarps confession and evidence not only prove
him to have been implicated in the murder OF Mr..
Moore, at Dobbins's ranch, in the murderous as
sault on Mr. Jansen in this city, in the no less MUIR
derous assault the captain OF the brig Kaskia in
this harbor, but in the robbery of Mr.. Minturn's
safe, in the attempt on Mr.. Macondays, in the rob-
berry at Monterey, and, in fine, in every burglary
and robbery OF any magnitude that has taken place
in this city or neighborhood for many months. No
criminal more daring successful-more reckless
or cold blooded-ever harrassed community.
Bred up in crime since childhood conscienceless
and calous he approached as near the character OF
a fiend as any thing in the garb of humanity
have seen. He had not even the excuse OF
stupidity dullness, for his talents and ingenuity,
well directed, would have achieved success In any
other calling.
"Thc astounding revelations contained in the
testimony and confession we publish elsewhere
will apprise citizens how utterly helpless they
have hitherto been in the tolls spread around them
by the organized bands of desperadoes who have
infested for SO long time this city and State 70
further the ends of justice, we are obliged to sup
press for the present the names of many individu-
ais in the community who are implicated in the
crimes developed, and who are even now being
perseveringly tracked by the committee Their
| time will come presently, and the public will then
cease TO wonder that with such an organization
crime of every dye has reigned so long triumphant
! in San Francisco.
'It will be seen that the ramifcations of this as
| sociation of thieves, burglars assassins and in
| cendiaries, extended throughout the entire State
that judges and public prosecutors in some por-
| tions of the country in league with the or
ganization-that subornation OF perjury was one Oh
| the commonest expedients to achieve the impu-
| nifty of the criminal and to bafiie the working OF
| the law-that the burning of the city was several
times resolved upon IN revenge-and that lie was
not regarded at a straws value when money was
| TO be gained by murder. On the whole, we doubt
if in the history of the United States there has ever
| been more monstrous criminal organization iaid
bare than that which has now been brought to light
| by the untiring efforts of the vigilance commit
| tee. That crime will meet with condign punish
ment they gave ample evidence by yesterdays
| proceedings"
During the progress of the investigation Of Stu
arts case by the vigilance committee, Franklin NJ
Pixley, the city attorney of San Francisco, sued
out writ of habeas corpus from the supreme court,
demanding the body of Stuart to be delivered to
them. The sheriff duly served the papers on three
individual members, who they had not the
man, neither had he been in their possession, or
under their control. Mr.. Pixley then swore out a
new writ, ordering the sheriff to produce the man,
Stuart and bring him before them, wherever he
could be found, or by whom held. This also failed
to accomplish the object intended.
The Mayor of San Francisco, in the course of the
day, issued proclamation, from which the follow
ing are extracts
| 1To the Citizens of San francisco: We have ar
rived at important crisis in the civil and social
condition and prospects of our city. A voluntary
association Of men has been formed under peculiar
bonds TO CaCn Otner, ana assuming inOst eAioot-
binary and irresistible powers; and have under
taken to institute extra judicial proceedings in
forms not known to the law. This association
claims and exercises the right to lnfict penalties
upon those adiudgcd by them of crime, even to
the penalty of death; and has publicly and boldly
inflicted that penalty in two instances They
claim and exercise the right of domiciiary visits
without any accountability under character not
known under any other than inquisitorial govern
ments. The great and sacred writ OF habcas cor
pus has been rendered by them Intellectual and the
authority of the highest tribunal of the State dis
regarded"
''The idea that any defect in the law, or any in
competency in its executives can be remedied by
voluntary associations Of citizens assuming su-
periority to the law, is not only preposterous, but
implies abrogation of all laws and resolves So
ciety into state of perfect anarchy"
"With these views, feel impelled by the strong
est sense OF official duty, and by every considera-
ton for our common welfare and public character,
to call upon all citizens to withdraw from such