Daily American organ., 1856-08-30
The Murders and Executions In CALI
fOrnia.

1OEnkhs
The following is the summary from the Califor-
MIA papers of the leading events for the fortnight
tof advice
\ The steamer of to-day carries melancholy and
startling intelligence.
On the afternoon of the oath July, Joseph Heth-
erington, a native of England, but who came to
this State in lS49, from st. Louis met DR.. Randall
in the bar-room of the st. Nicholas Hotel and, e.
newing an old difficulty which had it's origin in
some money transactions between the parties, COM
menced an assault upon him by sez:ng hold of his
beard. Randall commenced drawing revolver,
and Hetherington also drew his. Two shots were
fired by Hetherngton and three by Randall The
last shot of Hetherngton's pistol entered the left
temple of Randall and penetrated the brain. Ran
dali Immediately fell, and expired the following
Sunday.
Hetherington was seized by the police of the
Vigilance Committee, conveyed to their rooms and
locked up. On the death of Randall, the commit
tee proceeded at once to the trial of Hetherngton
for murder 1t was clearly proven that Hetherng-
ton had been pursuing Randall for months with
threats that he intended to shoot him. 1t appears
that Randall had borrowed money from Hetherng-
ton, which the latter found it impossible to get
back. This brought on quarrels and bad blood,
which ended by determination on the part Of
Hetherington to take Randall's life. Hethering .on
was therefore convicted of murder by the commit
tee. He had previously been cleared by the courts
of killing another man named Baldwin two years
ago.
The Committee had also been engaged in the
trial of Philander Brace for the murder of Capt.
West. His guilt was clearly shown, and by his
own admission, as well as behavior after arrest, he
must have been one of the most abandoned men
this age of the world has yet produced Both of
these men were sentenced to death, which SEN
tence the committee proceeded to put in execu-
tion on the afternoon of the Goth July. The scaf
fold erected in Davis street, at the intersec-
ton of Sacramento. Long before the hour arriv-
ed every approach to the spot was blocked up by
dense throng of curious spectators, composed of
| men, women and children. Every house top was
covered, and such was the rush that the roofs of
| several buildings gave way under the pressure Of
| the burden upon them.
| At-the appointed time a large force of vigilance
troops, consisting of infantry and cavalry, num-
bcring at least four thousand men, surrounded
| the gallows with fixed bayonets aud drawn sabres
The prisoners were then conveyed to the scaffold
in carriages. Hetherington was perfectly firm and
composed-not a nerve quivered, and, although
his arms were pnoned behind his back, he walked
up the steep steps of the scaffold without assist
ance, and took his position upon the trap, at the
same time loosening his cravat aud barring his
neck for the halter. Brace had to be assisted up
the steps, but when his eyes fell upon the gaping
multitude the hendish spirit OF visence seemed to
take possession of him, and he passed his few re-
naming moments repeating the most blasphemous
and obscene curses.
Hetherington made few remarks, but was much
interrupted by Brace. At length the signal was
sounded upon the large bell of the committee.
The two men were swung into eternity, and the
horrible spectacle upon which twenty thousand
human beings were feasting their eyes was brought
to a close.
The greatest indignation was excited through
out the State by the failure of Palmer Cook, a Co.,
to pay in July instalments of interest upon State
and city bonds This banking firm received the
money and has the sum, ought to have II IN
their vaults. They Published card, in which
they state that they did not transmit funds be.
cause their partner, Mr.. Wright informed them
that they had enough in New York to meet that
liability IL ia said that the State Treasurer sends
on money by the present steamer to take up these
claims In case they yet remain unpaid.