The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-09-11
Important. from Callfornta-.furthe
Executions ~ shc Vigilance Commit

Goth. with California dates to the 9Th OF Aug-'
The news from San Francisco is highly exci-
ting.
On the 9th OF July. Dr. A. RANDALL Of
San Francisco, was brutally murdered in that
city by notorious individual named JosErn
Y HrrHyRIyGros The Cause Of the assault is
said to have been an unsettled in,ebieinfss OF
Randall 10 Iietherington, for borrowed money
upon some Real Estate. which the former was
unable to meet. The mortgages had already
been foreclosed, and much OF the valuable pro-
perty Of the Doctor ia dilerent parts Of the
State, principally ranches, was pledged to Sc
cure this debt The parties were formerly in
innate friends, and have transacted ooDsidera-
bile business together but since the Doctor
became unable to meet promptly his demands,
u GOODNESS has grown up between them, which
has caused much viniictiye abuse on the part
Of HKTnERiSoroS.
The Doctor, il seems, anticipated an assault.
The following account Of the ARRAY, which re-
suited in Dr. RANDALL death, we take from
the Alta, July %;
1t seems that about half past three o'clock
the Doctor came down to the st. Nicholas,
where he has rooms, and WAS pursued by Heth.
eringt0n aud some friends, who kept at some
7 distance from him The Doctor entered the
hotel, placed hs name upon the register, and
took couple OF letters that had been eit at
the Clerks Office for him, and was reading one
when Hethcrington came into the bar-room,
and stepping up 10 the Doctor took him by the
whiskers, which are very long, and pulled him
so violently and foreibiy an TO move him five or
six feet from where he was standing In an
instant both drew their revolvers and commen-
ccd firing. 1t is difficult to tell which fired
FIRST as the whole movement was consumma,-
ell In an instant Some Of the eye witnesses
are OF opinion that iietherngton fired the first
shot, and others are confident that they wcr-
a.esa'.aneoEs, Will o.tfVE c.alra that 70 nGc
tor was the first to use the pistol, All, how
ever, agree that the first assault was made by
lletherington by pulling the beard Of his op.
ponent. After each hal fired shot. neithor of
which took effect, the Doctor ran behind the
desk or counter where the Clerk was starding,
and the firing continued from both parties. Al
ter the second shot DIR. Randall dropped down
behind the bar, when Iiethcrinyton reached
over, and putting his pistol near the person Of
his adversary shot him through the head This
was the only shot out Of fve--threc by Iictb.
ierington and two by Randall that took effect.
The ball entered the lelt temple aud lodged in
the right lobe Of the brain, and rendered the
paten, almost instantly senseless, The right
side was found to he perfectly paralizcd from
head 10 foot.
IIErHEmSGroS was Immediately arrested 10y
the Vigilance Committee. lie was recogpizcd
as an old offender, who in 1853 Killed 10 die.
pute in San Francisco, n DR., BAIDwix.
On thu 2Gth and 18th, IlErugRIsGroN was
tried convicted aud sentenced 10 be hung by
the Vigilance Committee; murderer named
pHuASprR BRACE was also sentenced at the
zane time.
la regard 10 the execution of BRACE and
iIrrnERSdros on the 2sih, we take the lu'
lowing account from the Aha, of July %:
1HE G. AII0ws.-- At / O'Clock workman com
mencol thenrce,iou Of the gallows IN the ccnlru
OF PAWS street, between Sacramento and Com.
mcrcial streets. This was the signal for an un-
usual gathering about that locality, and bclorc
b o'clock every available space from which a
view OF the spot could be obtained, was oce,l.
pied by persons desiring 10 witness the sCrne.
Every building and house top, for blocksarould
were literally alive with humanity The gal
lows was simple in construction, being four up
rights to sustain the platform, with the usual
cross-bcans overhead. to which the ropes were
attached.
oapER az rus rRoors.--Thc armed fore,
ct the COMMITTEE were so stationed us to com.
aaIsd all the approaches to the spot AMI To
prevent any interference with the duties of The
eyecutioner, were such design iutendoi.---
iiorsomcn guarded the outposts. or the inter.
sections of streets ,hrcc or four block distant
from the gallows; and heavy ordnance was
stationed ut the corners ol California. Sacra-
mento and Commercial STREETS. on Front and
Davis streets, which were manned bv the ar,il.
lcry companies The infantry companies were
parade,l along all the various streets. within
three or four blocks OF the rooms, in regular
order, aud maintained the most pertcc; disci-
pine and decorum throughout the long and
tircson,e duties of the day The companies
that formed the square about the gallows we
observed. were those of Captains Horse frcss,
Badger. Mcdonald and Ellis, one upon each
) side The bristling bayone,s werc 20 be seen
on every side, and made the scene one OF gran.
utUI ana YET -btWnlty. III was rutnOrtd That
an attempt would he made by some sheriff or
deputy 10 get unon the ground I,nr tho scat
fold for the purpose OF rrving some writs upon
the persons in charge Of the prisoners; consc-
quently. great preCaution was taken 10 nrcvcn.
any person from passing. unless BY the anthor-
ity of the officer Of the day. The members 81
the rr,ss were escorted through the yarions
ranks 10 the scaiIcld ground by the Grand Mar
shall, where were also few invited guests.
Tvs Srr,rtross.-lt is perfectly impoSsi.
ble 10 give ANYTHING like definite flea Of the
number Of persons that were spectators TO the
scenc We have before said that every portion
. Of ground was occupied and every house top
covered A tar "a the eye could reach in ev.
cry direction their appeared 10 he nothing bu,
living mass Of persons. II il perfectly safr
20 act down the number of those who wtra IN
deayoring to hccomc spectators Of the scrnc at
100000
Il FAIL OF Brnpiscs- Several wooden tcne-
mcnts were 50 ihicSly covered that they gave
way with crash, carrying hundreds with ihem
down to terra 6rma. 20 the CONSERVATION and
dismay OF those below some Of the buildings
that were thus crushed by the living freight
were to ailappcaranee firmly bail, and Of strong
timber, but they secu'cd 10 be incapable OF sus
tanning The great weight force upon them; their
werr uamber OF persons guite seriously in
ijured by ihsse crashes, but fortunately no lives
were lost Sacramento wharf just below Da-
Wis street, ako gave way with tremendous
noisr, carrying with i a wooden building and