Georgetown weekly news., 1854-11-09
Execution of Logan and Lipsey
AT COLON

many of our readers to learn the particu-
lars concerning the late executions at Colo
ma, we viii give them entire as they were
taken by the Editor Of the Miners Advo-
cate, who was present on the occasion:
The execution of James Logan, for the
murder of Fennel, at Coon Hollow, and
William Lipsey, for the murder Of Powell
son, at Cold Springs took place at Coloma
estorday-Frid3y Cd inst. They were the
first criminals ever executed by the officers
Of the law in El Dorado county; and the as
semblage Of the enple was larger tEan was
ever before known in the county, or, prob
ably ever will be again. Early in the morn
ing the different roads leading from CoIoma
to all parts Of the county, even the most re
mote, were literally lined with one contln-
uous mass Of human beIngs-s0me on foot,
some on horseback, and others in carriages,
coaches, wagons, carts, sc. So intense and
widespread was the morbid curiosity which
had been excited, that it seemed as If the
people of the whole county was controlled
by an invisible power, directing their steps
to Coloma. Citizens, Cinnamon and Dig
ger Indans-all seemed to be controlled by
the same influence. Long before the hour
of execution arrived, the streets Of Coloma
were thronged with a dense mass Of human
beings, while thousands were c0ngregated
on the hills around.
At u o'clock, NJ, the Sheriff proceeded
to take the prisoners from the Jail to the
scaffold, which had been erected on the hill
side. The Coloma Hook and Ladder Com
pany, armed with guns and reyolveTs, formed
a hollow square around the wagon provided
to convey the prisoners. Logan walked out
Of the jail with as much apparent indiiftr-
ence as a man could we'll manifest under
such circumstances; and although his head
was ''silvered DER with age "-notwithstand-
ing the fate that awaited him-he stepped
into the wagon that contained his colin
with the bu0yancy of youth and the vigor
Of manhood, scorning the assistance that
was prolfered him With Lipsey it was en-
tirely different For week he had taken
scarcely any food; he was debilitated in
body and broken in spirit. Ii was terribly
apparent that he realized fully his awful
situation. He was assisted into the wagon
and remained as one dead or chained to his
seat until he reached the place Of execution.
Logan ascended the scaffold with firm
step, bible in hand, and for all the world
with the air Of preacher Of the gospel
about to address a sinful people whom he
was anxious to eXhort to repentance. Lip
sey was almost carried up-his eyes We're
fixed, and presenting vacant, seath-like
stare.
Deputy Sheriff Welton had all things in
readiness on the scaffold, having been most
scrupulously particular that nothing should
be left undone. Sheriff Buel in Il loud,
clear voice read the death-warrant to Viii
liam Lipsey. He was informed by the Sher-
if that if he had anything to say, an oppor-
tunity would now be afforded him. In re
ply, when directly asked if he desired to
speak, be merely shook his head by way OF.
a negative response. The warrant was then
read to James Logan, who, the while, was
apparently calling on his Maker lorstren1tl
10 support himself in his hour of trial, tho
not in audible voice. The bible was stil
in his hand, and opened where there was a
plate representing the crucifxion Of Jesus
Christ The night previous, in the iaiI, he
had opened the Bible at the same place,
and pointed out the plate to one Of the Den
uty Sheriffs, remarking: "Therel mine is a
similar case. [ have been prosecuted even
unto death, and am going to die tomorrow
the victim OF false testimony" When the
Sheriff asked him if he had ANYTHING to say.
he laid down the bible and turned to address
the vast sea Of heads that surrounded the
scafold. Having listened and taken notes
at the time, we are enabled to present our
readers with the substance of his remarks.
as follows:
He felt that he was growing feeble, and
would not be able to address at anv great
length those who had come 70 witness the
execution. He stood before them a CON
demned man, the victim Of false testimony.
1t was true that he had taken the life Of a
fellow creature, but he had committed the
deed in selfdefence He went to the claim
where the tragedy took place, not as has
been said to Kill Fennel, but because the
claim was his own and Re went to Get pos
session OF it. His own rash threats had
brought him to the scafold In answer to
propositions to settle the difficulty by law
or arbitration, be had rashly replied that
there was a shorter and better wav-bllt he
did not mean it. He went to the claim to
get possession oft, but did not snap or pre-
sent his pistol-he merely showed It. Il
was merely single-barreled pistol. ANY
other testimony than this was false He
only snapped his pistol a moment before
Fennel did his. The man who swore that
he snapped his first swore lie. They both
snapped together. He had warned Fennel
not to advance. He got behind Swift. and
if he (Swiftl had stood his ground, nobody
would have been killed But Swift fincbed
and stepped aside. He then had to be
KILLED himself, kill Fennel, or run away
lie fired, and Fennel fell. He repeated that
1t was false that he snapped his pistol first;
1t was that snap that had brought him to
the gallows, and the testimony about it was
false. La view of the halter, ito which he