The Placer herald., 1856-06-07
James Freeland.

|
son, to visit him, and in company with Mr.,
| Hawkins of the Press, went to see the ui-
unfortunate man. We found him on enter
ing his cell, dressing himself, assisted by
fellow-prisoner. He wished us good morn
ing, shook hands and gave us seats. When
ready, he said he wished to make some state
ments, and proceeded in self-possessed man
her to do 80.
lie said that two of the witnesses had mis-
represented him at the trial. that he was a
stranger to the community in which Greek
George lived, that it was accidental his get
ting into the game of poker with him, and
that he was in liquor. lie says he made
bet, and George took down the money with
out showing his hand; that he demanded to
see Georges hand, that they clinched and
had scuffle, but that he, the prisoner, got
loose, and when he had turned around, saw
the Gun and grabbed it. George made after
him, but whether lie had any arms with him
at the time cannot say. Cochran Ca witness
who appeared against him at the trial Of the
cause,) Joined against him and the two were
crowding upon him when he fired the gun.
Turner (another witness,) passed through
the house when the fuss commenced; but
Freelon does not think he saw the termna-
ton Of it. SAYS his conscience is clear 50
far as the crime of murder is concerned that
he conscentiousv believed himself acting in
self-defense when he fired. Was told that
Greek George was dangerous man. and
thinks George would have killed him if he
had not fired as he did.
Freeland is about thirty-two years of AGE,
a native of Lincoln county, Ky, but from
Missouri to California, to which latter
State he came in 1880. Was soldier in
the Mexican war under Col Clay, of Ky,
and acted with that regiment upon the field
of Buena Vista He is an iIliterate man and
has doubtless led loose, wavward life. He
seems man subdued in spirit and resigned
to his fate. His eyes were red with weeping,
and when we were leaving he shook hands
and bid us farwelI in choked voice, imme-
diately turning away.
The Execution.
At halfpast / | o'clock A. NJ, the Placer
Rifles formed as guard about the jail, aud
the prisoner was brought out, placed in
wagon, where Doctors Hawthorne, Hubbard
and Wickes. aud the Rev. J. 4. Brooks were
already seated. The wagon then moved to
the place of execution, under the combined
protection of the Rifles, the Sheriff and his
deputies. When upon the gallows, the
Sheriff read the warrant and asked the pri
soner what, if anything, he had to say to the
people present, of whom there were quite a
crowd, outside the guards. He then in a
low tone of voice repeated what we have sub
stantiallv set forth above as his defense to
the charge for which he was about to suffer-
The fatal cap was then drawn, the rope ad
lusted, Mr. Brooks made a most fervent
PRAYER and at the termination of it. the soul
of James Freeland passed into the land of
shadows. This was at two minutes to - NJ
After hanging about twenty-five minutes the
physicians pronounced him dead; the body
was shrouded, placed in the coffin and
buried.
The crowd about the gallows were orderly
and every one seemed impressed with the
awful solemnity of the work then going for
ward. Freeland was firm and collected to
the last-not boastful or braggart like, but
rather from the effect OF manly resolution
to meet his fate.
OUR PosIrIoy.-We observe by the Duly
CoHtornia 1neericqn Of the 9TH inst, that we
are claosed with those who are against the
people as relates to the present movement
in the city of San Francisco How the editor
Of that paper has arrived at such a conclusion
we are unable to see-certainly not from
anything that has appeared under the edito
rial head in the Herald.
We think the organization of the Vigilance
Committee most dangerous precedent; and
stand ready to condemn it whenever we be-
lieve they have over-stepped the necessities
which has given it an organized existence.
We consider it a solemn fact, that there has
been a necessity for the organization Of that
bodv-its existence has been the least of two
great evils. We believe that combination
of INSCRIPTIONS men, have through the forms
of party rules, and by an apparent adhesion
to the letter Of our statutes. overrodc the
better portion of the people of San Francisco;
rendered life and property insecure, and led
that city to bankruptcy. We believe that to
rid themselves of these evils the people have
been forced into this position. 1t is also