The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-10


the slope OF Russian Hill, out Of the view Of any
houses in the city and about threequarters of mile
from the county Jail. At q very early hour in the
morning those anxious TO witness the sad exhibition
commenced to assemble at this point, and, notwith-
standing drizzling rain which prevailed during
most OF the forenoon, patiently awaited its tragic
conclusion, at which time there could have been no
less than ten thousand spectators on the ground or
this number there was large proportion OF females,
some in carriages some on horseback, and some on
foot. At about quarter past twelve o'clock the
Marion Rifles arrived upon the ground and cleared
away space about two hundred yards square around
the gallows which they kept open until after the
last act Of the mournful ceremony was performed.
proper decorum and order were observed by the i'm
mense crowd owing in great measure to the assist
ance Of the military, whose services were proved to
be necessary TN preventing disorder and confusion
that would have greatly interrupted the officers in
the discharge Of their duties.
Around the county Jail, also, large crowd was
assembled At quarter to one o'clock, the prisoner
was brought out and placed in a wagon, accom-
panied by Sheriff Hays, Major Caperton, Deputy
Sheriff. the priest, and other officials. The First
California Guard were placed in front, large police
force guarded each side Of the wagon, and in this
manner the procession moved slowly on towards the
place Of execution. During its progress the prisoner
eyinced an imperturbable calmness, smoking segar
the whole length of the way, remarling that the
people seemed to be enjoying gala day, and ex-
pressing his regret that those OF his company whose
acquaintance he had made during his confinement,
should be subjected 10 this exposure to the rain on
his account. He also repeated over few passages
with the priest.
The procession having reached the ground the
prisoner was assisted from the wagon and assembled
the scafiold with a firm step, accompanied by the
priest and the Sheriff with his deputies The death
warrant issued from the Fourth District Court was
read TO him in English and in Spanish, by Major
Caperton, Deputy Sheriff
Upon being asked what be had TO say he stepped
10 the front Of the platform, and in loud and dintnct
tones. sufficiently so to be heard by the whole multi
tude, be addressed them for about five minutes,
peatng the substance Of his confession and decar
ing that be innocent of the crime Of murder and
would do the same deed again under the circumStan
ces. He referred to his family, whose proper name
was Former Brugada, and asserted their respecta-
bjlity, and in conclusion proclaimed himself Catho
lie, and as such determined TO meet his fate brdycy
and with resignation--as he did. He then shook
hands with and bid farewell TO those on the stand
after requesting that should be taken TO have
his execution accomplished speedily and surely as
possible. Sheriff Hays then adjusted the rope around
his neck, drew the black cap over his head and cut
the rope which upheld the drop" The unfortunate
victim fell distance Of about three and half feet
and four minutes afterwards his body evinced no signs
Of vitality. After hanging twenty-five minutes it
was examined by DR.. Van Zandt City Physician, who
pronounced life extinct, when it was cut down and
delivered over to Coroner Gray, who held an imme-
date inquest over it,
a report was in circulation in San Francisco that
the tody Of the criminal, after II had been taken from