Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-07-31
From the Alta California, Juuc IA.

hall boatnen st their station on Central wharf
lie jumped into boat ith his bag, ard pulled
out toward the end Of the wharf But q few
nomen,, had elapsed before Mr.. Virgin, gen.
ilenan who keeps shipping Office on the wharf,
came down TO the boat stand in pursuit Of per.
son who had Just robbed his office Of a small
iron safe. containing a considerable amount Of
money. The man with the bag was at once
sus pec,sd, and number Of the boatmen started
Immediately in pursuit. After Il sharp pull,
they overhauled him, when he threw his booty
overheard. Aitei very severe struggle, ono
party Of boatmen succeeded in capturing him,
while another fished up tho bag, hich proved
TO contain the stolen safe.
lie was conveyed on shore and at once taken
possession Of BY some Of tho vigilant committee
who conducted him promptly to their head
quarters, where he ~ss tried in presence Of a.
bout eighty members Of the conclave, sitting
with clused doors, by them convc cted and SEN
fenced to be hung in .he Portsmouth Square that
very night. The precise mode of trial was of
course made a secret. During the time Of lis
progress the citizens had accumulated in large
nu!nbers about the building and in Portsmouth
Square. The bell rung on the engine house at
the Latter locality, having rung a signal to ap-
prise the citizens Of the proceedings going on.
The popnace were very much excit.l bu,
such u numerous assemblage OH any similar oc-
casion.
Some dsapprobation was manifested at the
'ecresy Of the Committee's proceedings, but
when the result was known, there was a very
general approval manifested, although there
were many who deemed the punis ent of death
too severe for the offence and others thought he
should be hung in broad daylight. As soon US
the sentence Was passed, the bell ON the Cali
for mia Engine house, near by, commen need ring.
ing the prisoners funeral kLell. Capt. Benja-
min Ray, Of the Police force, applied at the
Committee Room, and demanded the prisoner,
but wns refused several times, md although 9th.
ers Of the Police force were Oh the ground, they
saw il was Of 10 use TO attempt rescue.
About | o'clock MIR. Samuel Brannan came
out, and ascending the bank opposite, announced
the result Uf the Committee. deliberations, sia
ting ,ha. he had been fairly tried. convicted up
on the strongest testimony, and offered 10 de-
fence except denial of the robbery. He gave
the name Of John jenkins, and Irotessed to be
been allowed anu.her hour to prepare for death,
and ,ha, Rev. Mr.. Miner had been sent for TO
visit him. The crowd present promptly ap-
proved Of the action pf the Committee. From
that time the excitement began to increase, md
the matter was freely discussed by knots Of
citizens at the various street corners around the
committee room, and in the square. A very
large majority w.re evidently in favor Of the
execution.
The prisoner was perfectly composed during
this time, and iudulgeG in cigar. Tho clergy
man promptly responded to the request TO pray
with the prisoner, and remained with him Tor
nearly all hour. Ii we are correctly informed
his presence had no particular effect upon the
condemned man, who doubtless cohiideh!ly an
ticipa,ed rescue by the police.
About 2 o'clock the doors Of the committee
room were opened and the condemned was for
the first time presented to tho populace. He
was tall man Of very great muscular de-
veiopments, and with rather a forbidding cOun'
tenance. He was smoking cigar and appear
ed rather pale but composed. His arms were
pnioned and his hands tied behind him, while
he was surrounded by a rope 'h'ekly manned by
armed men, many other, closing on them deter
mined to prevent his escape. In this manner,
followed by large crowd, he was conducledto
the public square. His arrival was announced
with a shout and every description of vocliera-
tion-the widest scene Of confusion aud sx-
ci,ement prevailing we have witnessed for
long time. The NOON ooscured by clouds shed
no light, and The picture presented was wild
ard aw full in the extreme.
Some person climbed tie liberty pole TO rig "a
block for the execution; but a loud shout Of
don't hang him on the liberty pole! AROSE.
Voices screamed out, TO the old adobe! and
rush was made for that edifce, upoE the corner
of the square, formerly occupied as the Custom
House. A rush was at ouce made Tor .he end
of the building, block rugged and long rope
run through it, In the meantime. u number OF
the Police who were on the ground, made sew
era, attempts to obtain possession of tho prison
er, but they were roughly handled and prevent.
ed had they persisted they would have been
riddled with balls. Several citizens denounced
the execution and sought to aid the police.
The prisoner by this time was nearly dead
with fear und rough handling, wher rush was
! made toward him, a nooso thrown over his
D head the rope manned by twenty ready hands,
and the convicted felon swept though the
t air and dangled from the block. few fear
Iful struggles, quivsr of the hempen cord a few
, nervous twiches, aud the crowd gazsd upon the
; likeness corpse Of him upon whom such speedy
. and terrible vengence had been executed by an
outraged people. As he swung to and fro
, and turned round and round, feeling of awe
appeared to spread through the crowd who
a could not he Otherwise than impressed by the
terrible occurrence. Slowly they dispersed, but
:. when day broke, there were still many gazing
= upon the swollen, purple features OF the doom
: ed man.
: At 6 O'Clock the Marshal, MrCrozier, re.
o prirea to the spot, cut down the body and con-
= signed it to the dead house. Thus ended the
first execution which ever took place in San
ii Francisco. where more crime has been com
Ii mi,ted within the past year than in any other
To-, v1ptp tbotil