Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-22


but more orderly than Tecollect to have see
such numerous assemblare any similar occasion
some dlsapprobaton Tnanesed at the secrecy OF III
committees proceedings; but when the result was know
there very general approval m Tested, ahoug
there were many who deemed the punishment OF deaf
too severe for the offence and others thought he snou
DC executed IN broad daylight As soon as the sentenc
was passed the bell on the California engine house
by commenced ringing the prisoners funeral kneli.-
Captain Benjamin Ray, OF the police force, applied
the door OF the commte room and demanded the pris
one but refused several times; and although other
Of the police upon the ground, they saw it was
no use to attempt rescue.
About O'Clock, Mr.. Samuel Brannan came out, anc
ascending the bank opposite, announced the result O
the COMMITTEES deliberations stating that he had beef
fairly tried convicted upon the strongest testimony
and offered no defence except denial OF the robbery
He gave the Of John Jenkins and proessed to b.
native of London Mr.. B. stated that he had been al
lowed another hour TO prepare himself for death
and that the Rev. Mr. Mines had been sent for 10 visi
him. The crowd promptly approved Of the action 9
the committee. From that time the excitement began
increase and the matter freely discussed by knott
OF citizens at the various street. corners aroun the
mi:tee room, and in the square. very large majority
were in favor OF the execution
The prisoner was perfectly composed during this
time, and INDUCED in cigar. The clergyman prompt
y responded to the request to pray with the prisoner
and reManed with him Tor nearly hour. Ii we are
correctly informed his presence had no particular Ell
tect upon the condemned man, who doubtless confident
Iy anticipated a rescue by the police.
About two o'clock the doors of the committee room
were opened, and the condemned for the first time
presented to the popuace. He was tall man OF very
great muscular developments, and with rather forbid
ding counteuance. lie was smoking cigar, and APP
peared rather pale but composed His arms were pin
Toned, and his hands tied behind him, while he was
surrounded by rope thlcky manned by armed men-
many others closing On ihem determined to prevent
his escape In this manner, followed bya large crowd
he was conducted to the public square. His arrival
was announced with shout and every description OF
vociferation-the widest scene of confusion and ex-
element prevailing have witnessed for long time.
The moon, obsured by clouds, shed no light and the
picture presented was wild and awful in the extreme.
Some person climbed the liberty pole to rig block for
the execution, but loud shout don't hang i'm the
liberty pole' arose. Voices screamed out "to the old
adobe;" and rush made for this edice upon the
corner OF the square, formerly occupied the custom
house. A rush was at made for the end OF the
building, a block flgged and long rope through
II. In the mean time number OF police who were on
the ground, made several attempts to obtain possession
OF the prisoner but they roughly handled and pre-
vented had they persisted, they would have been rid
died with balls. Several citizens denounced the exc
cuon and sought to aid the police.
The prisoner by this time nearly dead with fear
and rough handing, when rush made towards
him, moose thrown over his head the rope manned
by twenty ready hands, ami the heavy form OF the
vlcted teion swept through the air and oangled from
the block A lew fearful struggles, culver of the
hempen cord, few nervous witches and ne crowd
gazed upon the leless corpse ofhn upon whom such
speedy and terrible vengeance had been eSecued by
an outraged people. AS he swung % and fro and urn
ed round and round, feeling of awe appeared to
spread through the crowd who could not be otherwise
than impressed by the terrible occurrence. Slowly,
they dispersed but when day broke there were still
many gazing upon the swollen purple features ofthe
doomed man. AT o'clock, The marshal, Mr.. Crozier
repaired to the spot cut down the body and consigned
tito the dead hcuse. Thus ended the first execution
which ever took place in Sen Francisco where more
crime has been committed within the past year than in
anv other city OF the same population in the Union
without one instance OF adequate punishment. Of the
guilt OF Jenkins there was no doubt. He has been
known to the police tor months desperate charac.
ter from the penal colonies where had he passed many
years transported convict.
The following is the verdict of the Coroners Jury,
empaneled to hold an inquest on the body:
We the Jurors of Jury of Inquest empaneled by the
Coroner oil the county of San Francisco to inquire into
the death OF one John Jenkins, alias Symptom do
ind upon their oahs that the said Jenkins alias Simp
ton came to his death on the morning of the 1lth of
June, between the hours of two and three O'clock by
violent means, by stranguaton, caused by being sus-
pended by the neck with rope attached to the end
OF the adobe building the Plaza at the hands of and
In pursuance oil preconcerted action the part OF
association OF citizens, styling hemsevasa Committee
OF Vigilance, OF whom the following members are inn
pcated by direct testimony, to wit: Captain Edgar
W4keman. VIM. II. Jones, James Ward Edward
a. hng, T. X. batelle, Benz Reynolds. j. S. Eagan,
J. Z. Derby and Samuel Brannan and the following
members by their Voluntary avowa of participation in
the act (Here follows list OF the members of the Vigil
lance Committee) A unanimous Verdict.
l. M. LEAVENsWoRTH, Foreman.
Immense excitement prevailed at sSan Francisco
when the steamer sailed and immense gatherings had
been held on the PlaZa participated in by both those
in favor and against the hanging. There was much
feeling manifested towards the "Inquisition" as it is
erned which, like that OF the Eternal City before the
abdcat'on OF the Pope, was conducted with great
crecy tar more than might have been anticipa ted from
the numbers embraced No arrests have been made
Tor the hanging, though the principal actors in the SOL
ann tragedy are we'll known and are even named In
he verdict OF the Coroners Jury. The populace seem
. feel that desperate diseases require desperate
lies.
In one CT the meetings the Plaza, after resolutions
aw upon the person of Jenkins D. c. Broderck, men,
yer othe Legislature asked tine privilege of addressing
he meeting upon the resolutions, and in opposition to
hem which request granted. In the course of his
emarks he became personal, and was stopped but
having made apologies, he permitted to proceed.
While deo'anng against the execution Of Jenkins, he
whom he could ascertain as having been con cerned III
t hung by the law, and he himseIfwould assist.
Another gentleman then addressed the meeting in
opposition to the resolutions in gentemanlv and
courteous manner, and he was listened to attenvely
w hen the question about to be taken on the
utlons considerable interruption was offered by those
opposed, which was promptly Kissed and put down.
by large majority. Just as the question
was taken by the President, Broderck stepped up to
nm, snatched the resolutions from his hand declared
they had not passed. and destroyed them.
Col. Hale was then called to the stand, and made a
very sensible speech in favor Of the resolutions and ad
voeatng the adopted by the Peoples Committee
OF Safety. He was loudly cheered throughout, and
listened to with great attention. The meeting also
by Dr. Van Dyke and several other gentle
men, who strongly endorsed the principles and policy
recommended by the resolutions. In the course OF Col.
Hues remarks, he announced the fact that Mr. Brode
rick had destroyed the resolutions. This caused ge
neral rush for him. but the people restrained from
any violence upon his person.
In conclusion, we may remark that Mr.. Broderck's
conduct in the highest degree offensv and unjust
The conduct OF the police in attempting to disturb and
break up peaceable Meeting OF the citizens, was an
outrage. We hope they will learn lesson from this
lot to be forgotten.
from the San Francisco Herald, Jnne Ill
We give, elsewhere, a report oflhe lynching of Jen
xins, by the citizens, at O'Clock this morning We
lave barely space say that he red by jury of
he highest responsibility and unquestonably guilty
If the crime ior which he was condemned. The ex-