The Nevada journal., 1852-06-26
A Horse Thief Shot by the People.


We find tho following account of a
tragedy in FL Dorado Co., in the CORES
pondence Of the Union.
DIAMOND SPRINGS, June 10, 1852.
MEssRs. EDITORS: Our community
was startled oday by a rumor that
man had been or was to be shot in Plea
SAINT Valley, for horse e-stealing. Some
f,iends who were accidentally present,
and witnessed the bloody tragedy, came
into town tonight, and confirmed the
fearful rumor.
A man by the name Of VIM. Hubbard,
formerly from Illinois, where hc leaves
n wife and child, was shot at DIR. Slaugh-
ter's, about Is miles from here, in Plea
SAINT Valley, at IL o'clock to-day.
The statement of the affair, as given
by those present, is substantially as fol-
lows About two weeks since, q horse
and mule, belonging to his boarders.
were stolen during the night from DR..
Slaughter's. The mule had broken
hoof, by which they were enabled to
track the thief, which was done to Sly
Park Creek. The party then returned,
obtained constable, started again, and
followed the track into Carson Valley
Here they found the horse in o corral
belonging to Mr. Redding, and the
man who brought him there in the
house. He had traded off the mule. He
was arr ested and brought back to DIR.
Slaughter's yesterday; an investigation
was gone into before DIR. Slaughter, who
is magistrate. and after n full hearing
Of the case, the prisoner was regularly
committed and placed in the hands of q
constable. But the "sovereignsn pres
ent wiled otherwise. They demanded
the prisoner; the constable refused tc
give him up,and they took him by force
A jury was summoned, the prisoner
found guilty and sentenced to be hung
to-day at II O'Clock A choice between
hanging and shooting was given him
and he chose the latter. .a8a
During these proceedings, the prisoner
is represented to have been the mos
unconcerned man present, talking with
those around him, and looking upon tn,
affair with the most entire Indifference
After supper he lay down, and slep
soundly until he was awakened by some
Of those about late this morning. Be
fore being led out for execution, Hib
bard made confession, which | have
not seen, acknowledging his guilt, and
implicated others as belonging to the
gang He stated that their plan was Il
steal stock from the emigrants as they
passed through the valley.
At the appointed hour he was led out
and after taking drink and stating t,
the crowd that he belonged to gosG
family, and was the first in it ovel
charged with crime, he was placed il
position his hands tied ;-but hc refused
to have his eyes bandaged, and directed
the six men detailed as executioners t
stand so near as to make sure work o
liz. The men fred at the word, three
guns loaded with balls and three will
blank cartridges, the three balls taking
effect in the breast, producing death in
stantly. A physician present claimed
the body for dissec tiou, on the grount
that hc had bargained with the man fo
it before he was shot, but as he .onl,
wanted tho head, if no one objected, hi
would take It of, which he proceeded Il
do with large Bowie-knife-placed i
in bag, slung IL on his horse, ant
marched off with it. 4sts
4 "A shallow grave was then dog. ant
the hcadless trunk tumbled into it =
Comment-on such transactions is unne
cessary.