Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-21
Further California Intelligence.
AuotAer Execution Of tie Vigilance Com.
mittee.

of murder and robbery, was tried, con-
dcmncd and executed by the Vigilance
Committee of San Francisco, on the 14th
day Of July. The following account o.
the proceedings is from tie Alta Cal;for-
MIA of the 18th:
About 9 o'clock yesterday morning the
tapping of the bell of the Monumental En-
CINE Company's house on the Plaza, at
tracted the attention ofour citizens. known
as 1t was. to be a signal of the Vigilance
Committee. People soon began to throng
down in the direction of the Committee
room, and 1t was reported that James Stu
art was to be hung. The bell tolled for
about half an hour, when number of
guns were fired from brig in the harbor,
and 1t was observed that many of the YES
sells had their flags displayed; and it was
afterwards learnt that the Committee had
requested this. By 10 o'clock two or
three thous and people had gathered, and
appearcdto be quietly waiting with the
expectation of seeing somebody hung.
The Committee, in the mean time, were
passing in and out, and it was evident that
something was in progress inside. Eve
rything was conducted however. with so
much secresy, that it was known to but
very few, if any, outside, what was really
going on; and many after waiting an hour
or two, went away with the supposition
that nothing would occur. About half
past one, some one came out ofthe Com
mittee room and read portion Of the con-
tession which Stuart had made, and it was
stated he would be hung in an hour
The crowd sanctioned this proposition al
most unanimously. The news spread.
and large crowd soon gathered. Abont
half past 2 o'clock the Committee came
down stairs, and formed three abreast
There were nearly thousand of them
principally composed of our oldest, best
known and most prominent citizens, mer-
chants, bankers, mechanics and business
men ofevery description. Previous to this
clergyman had been sent for, who re-
manned with Stuart some time.
The procession moved up Battery ST.,
proceeded and followed by the crowd,
with Stuart handcuffed and pinioned, near
their center. There was no noise, no out
cry, no apparent excitement, and there was
something awfuly solemn, in the measur-
ed tread ofthe procession upon the planked
street. When the procession reached Mar
ket ST., and it 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 occupant. The decks and
rigging of the vessels lying around the
wharf were covered, and the wharf itself
was one perfect sea of heads.
A gallows Of plain uprights and a cross
beam had been erected, a block with
ropein it. and the moose ready made. On
the way down Stuart appeared perfectly
cool and collected, and not at all excited
When he reached the gallows the rope
was placed around his neck, and with the
exception ola small palencss, there was no
change in his appearance, no trembling,no
agitation. He appeared to feel as though
he was satisfied with his sentence, and did
not desire to live longer. The resemblance
between Stuart and Burdue was most
striking, and 1t is not strange that one should
have been taken for the other. The i'm
mense crowd remained breathless, and
Stuart, when under the gallows, said, 81
die reconciled, my sentence is just" The
rope was pulled, and in moment he was
dangling in the air. AS he went up, he
closed his eyes and clasped his hands to-
gether. Hehad previously requested that
his face mis- ht not be covered. He scarce
ly gave struggle; and although the knot
was on the back Of his neck, appeared to
be in but little pain. A slight contraction
of the lower limbs, and strained beaving
OF the chest for a moment,were alltbe symp-
toms of approaching death. After hang
ing about FIVE minutes. his hat blew off,
and exposed to view the ghastly features
ola robber. When he had hung about 20
minutes, he was cut down by Coroner Gal
lagher, placed in boat, and taken to the
LIST District Police Station-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
over. 1t was conducted with the greatest
order and quiet. Heaven grant that il may
have salutary effect. Stuart was arrested
by the Vigilance Committee about a week
since. He was found removing stolen
trunks, and was tried before the Commute
for the murder of Moore, and upon va
riety of other charges. 1t was said that he
has made some disclosures that tend 10
crhminate number IN this city whose char
acters have previously stood Gaiir, and that
he has given the Committee clues that will
enable them to break up the organized
bands Of Williams in this State.
Congressional Nomination.-Th Dem
or-afi.- CnaoreSsto,al Cowvc,,tts,, e.. the