The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-01-27
Lynch Lava Young Woman Hung.

A correspondent OF the Journal Of Com
merce. detailing the several cases OF Lypching
in California, writes as follows:
Shocking, however, as these cases are, both
are out done by the extra Judicial murder of
young girl at Downevlle. far up 10 the noun
iains OF Yubs County.
She WAS a Mexican sennrta, with all the
passions aud frailtes which attach themselves
to the race. Ooe day she stabbed man, so
that he died 10 short time. Public opinion
varies as Ia the enormity of the crime. Some
asserts that il was wsntoh and uesohet0ua
attach; ethers consider il to have been an
dinary murder. under circumstances OF insult
cient but consider able provocaIion--whiie macy
asserts that the blow wa, struck in defense Of
her own person against drunken assault. The
better opinion is, as far as ! can learn that the
killing was unlawful, but under palpiIsIiog cir
cumstances. II is OF little consequence TO my
purpose TO examine into The degtee Of crime.
am merely 10 relate how a rOmdn pun
shed By unlawful hands 10 this high noon of
the nineteenth century. .
IL seems that an example WAS need in Down
Neville. Little or no retribution bad fallen up
on former murderers in that vscinity, aGd IL un-
fortunsiey happened that he dead man had
many friends in the city, while the girl elected
no sympathy. Her nation was desplsed, and
sue hoS OF a CHARACTER WHICH, diNuNb NdWs
more COMPANIONS than friends 10 California.
The Mountain City is situated at The conflu
ence of Two branches Of The North Yaba, aud
is connected with the opposite bank by a long
bridge. The cord was thrown over cross
beam in the middle Of this bridge, and hiiher
the lniuriated multitude hurried their frail vic
tim: Her bearing was naughty and composed
in the highest degree. She was beautiful girl,
but neither her beauty nor unusual roundoess
OF form. excited the slightest compassion IN the
majority.
At this point Of the proceeding, young law.
yer mnunlnd, the bridge railing. and denounced
the whole affair 10 bitter words OF more justice
than discretion. He was not suffered to speak
long. A dozen hands pulled him down. sud AS
many feet we're vigorously applied 60 him, along
The whole length Of the bridge. Wheo upon
the opposite bank he was forbidden TO enter
Downeyille ngain, under penalty Of being ,arred
and feathered.
Even the perpetrators of this outrage should
have been shamed into common humanity by
the next appeal A physician we'll known in
the place, stated upon his professional repuia-
| ton and sacred honor that the girl was ehciente
and demanded for her the reprieye which was
always granted by the merciiu common law Of
| England aud even in the darkest ages and
most barbarous periods. Bot no. Mercy to a
/ muTuerese. lime 10 give DNtn 10 anOtbef ol
the yper's blood! They hooted at the ideal
The physician was ordered 10 leave town With
in threo days. for having dared TO disturb the
majesty of the people, sriseu TO assert JUS
! tiec.
Meanwhile the girl had been looking on with
the utmost nonchalance At the failure of this
last appeal, scornful smile distorted her lip,
and she at once began to perform the last Office
for herself, the maHtd was removed from her
head and given to her paramour, with watch,
purse and ornaments. Her black hair fell in
masses over her shoulders bus she calmly
| grasped the moose. dangling near by and pass
ing it round her neck, concealed the hidcous
| knot beneath the thick fall of her hair She
| made but one request-that her hands might be
left united and free TO give the signal. Strange
to say, they did grant her one privilege, but one
which. in case where the nerves were MT made
of STEEL would have been the most iujudicious
| Of all.
She then drew a bunch Of cgaritas from her
bosom and distributed them among the bystan-
ders, reserving one for herself. This she light.
| ed and half smoked--then drew it from her lips
1 with" would do Il again, the mafdito---r
She did not finish the sentence but dropped the
cigarlta. This was the signal and her ligh,
form shot rapidly up in the air, hardly struggling
so powerful was the will that Kept her free
arms stiffly pressed against her side. There
she hung over the foaming river--betweer
sky and earth, tho mark Of deepest disgrace
upon all our fair land.