Butte record., 1856-08-02
By Telegraph 10 thh Marysville Express.
SAN FRANcIsco, July 29,-7 Pm.

SAN Francisco, July 29,--I Pm.
At 4 o'clock to day, the military compa-
nies of the Vigilance Committee commenced
to proceed from the COMMITTEES rooms, and
marched and countermarehed all around
the neighboring blocks. At o'clock were
stationed FIVE companies opposite the Com
mittee rooms, three at the c0rtier of Sacra-
mento and Davis streets, and the cross street
leading to the locality were occupied by
companies of Dragons. The general e1-
pectation of the public was that o'clock
was the hour Of execution; at that hour
every house top hating view of Sacramen-
to street and Davis, was covered, and every
spot commanding q view; I5, ZOO people
witnessed the tragedy. Roofs of three houses
in the vicinity fell through, precipitatiDg
all on top into the houses. Five men in
jured.
At o'clock, carpenters commenced to
erect scaffold on Davis street, between
Sacramento and Commercial. The dimen-
| sions 10 feet square, with an upright beam
feet above scaffold.
| At 50 minutes past 5, two carriages pro-
ceeded to the building, and Brace and Heth-
erington were conveyed into them and from
thence to the gallows. Brace, assisted by
two persons, assembled the fatal platform.
Next came Hetherington--he refused assist
ance. and though his arms were pinioned,
he walked up the narrow stairway firmly
and with unquivering nerves.
The prisoners then took their places on
the trap door-HetheriDg next TO CONNER
cial street They both faced the West. When
they reached the drop, each had on ligh,
straw hat, but Braces blew off, and his head
was left exposed to the wind. The ropes
| = tLzx, 4 4
the ueckcloth of Brace. but Hetherington
performed that office for himself.
The appearance of the prisoners on the
scaffold was characteristic of each.
Brace acted like drunken man, and de.
clared that he was drunk. He appeared so
Hetherington, to the last, stood firm. and
spoke firmly. What he said was to thi,
effect: You may, and probably do, think
me hardened criminal, but | am not
have never lived day at the end of which
| was not willing to meet my Maker, as
am now about to do, in few moments.
have not had fair trial by the Vigilanc,
Committee. In shooting Baldwin | acted
in self defence
was acquitted. yet find that that ac
bears on me in my present position. [Iier'
and at various times he was interrupted BY
Brace. who spoke in an iucoherant manner
and wanted to get done and through with it.
In the difficulty with Randall, said he, on
ly drew to defend myself. / only wanted
to settle a difficulty with him, and SO told
Mr.. McCorklc. He drew his pistol, and
was obliged to draw mine in self defence
know | am about to be plunged into eternity
had long conversation with Bishop Kip
to-day on religious subjects. | am no
afraid of eternity
[Hetheringtcn was frequently interrupted
by Brace, and it was impossible to follow
him fully.l
| forgive all my enemies. God have mer
cy on you all, forgive you as hope to b,
forgiven
These were his last words when Hether
ington had got nearly through speaking
Brace said. turning to his companion, "dr,
up old fellow, you have talked enough, don
keep ME here any longer-damn it dry up.
The bell of the Committee rooms tolled-
when Brace and Hctherington was launched
into eternity.
Neither suffered much. Brace scarcely
moved-Hetheringto moved but once Th,
bodies hung 80 minutes, and were takei
down by the Coroner