Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-02-09
Lynching of a Woman in California.


A California letter to the Journal of Com
merce contains the following particulars Of
the execution of a young girl at Downie-
vile: s s-es.s=sss 4. h.,s. s7s SE
She is Mexican Senorita, with all the
passions and fralties which attach them
selves to the race. One day she stabbed a
man SO that be died in short time. Pub
lie opinion varies as to the enormity Of this
crime. Sente assertesthat it was want6n
and treacherous attack; others consider it
to be an ordinary murder, under circum-
stances of insufficient but considera Bile pro-
vocation, while many affirm that the blow
was struck in defence of her person against
a drunken assault. The better opoinion
is, as far as we can learn, that the killing
was unlawful, but under palfating circum-
stances. 1t is of little consequence to my
present purpose to examine. merel y wish
to relate how aoonan was punished by
unlawful hands, in this high noon of the
nineteenth century.
1t seems that an example was needed in
Dow wnieville. Little or no retribution had
fallen upon former murderers in that sicini-
ty; and it unfortunately happened that the
dead man had many friends in the city,
while the girl elected no sympathy. Her
nation was despised and she was Of char.
acter which always draws more compan.
ions than friends in California. many
headed monster cried "blood for blood"
The Mountain City is situated at the con-
fuence of two branches of the North Yuba
and is connected with the opposite bank by
long bridge. The cord was thrown over
a cross beam in the middle of this bridge,
and thither the infuriated multitude hurried
their frail victim. Her bearing was haugh-
| ty and composed in the highest degree
She was beautiful girl, but neither her
beauty and unusual roundness of form ex-
cited the slightest compassion in the major
ity.
AT this point Of the proceeding, young
lawyer mounted the bridge railing, and de-
nounced the whole affair in words of more
bitter justice than discretion. He was not
suffered to speak lopg. A dozen hands
pulled him down, and as many feet were
vigorously applied TO him along the length
Of the bridge. When upon the opposite
bank, he was forbidden to enter Downie-
vile again, under penalty of being tarred
and feathered. .z.s..
Even the perpetrators of this outrage
should have been shamed into common hu.
manity by the next appeal. A physician
well known in the place. STATED upon his pro-
fessional reputation and most sacred honor,
that the girl was enciente, and demanded
for her the reprieye which was always
granted by the merciful common law of
Eng land, even in the darkest ages and most
barberous periods. But no! Mercy to a
murderer! Time to give birth to another
Of the yipers blood They hooted at the
idea! The physician was ordered to leave
the town within three days, for having dar-
ed to disturb the majesty fthe people, ar
risen to assert justice. ga
Meanwhile the girl had been looking on
with the utmost nonchalence. At the fall
ure Of this last appeal scornful smile dis
torted her lip, and she at once began to
perform the last Offices for herself The
nanta was removed from her head and
given to her paramour, with watch, purse
and ornaments. Her black hair fell in
masses over her shoulders, but she calmly
graspedihe moose, dangling near by, and
passed it around her neck, concealed the
hideous knot beneath the thick fall of her
hair. She made but one request-tbat her
hands might be left united, and free togise
the signal. Strange to say, they did grant
her one privilege, but one which, in cases
where the nerves were not made Of steel,
would have been the most judious.
She then drew bunch Of cigaritas from