The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-29
Execution by Law.
NICHOLAS GRAHAM HUNG FOR MURDEF
from the San francisco Bulletin Nav 90

[From the San Francisco Bulletin, May 30.l
Nicholas Graham, the murderer OF Joseph BROOKS, On
board the steamer Columbia the Goth Of January last
has expiated his crime upon the gallows. He con-
sentenced by Judge Hagar be hung upon Friday the
I'd inst. Governor johnson, however, gave him re-
prievc for four weeks which expired today. The re-
cent events which have transpred in the city made Is
necessary for the Governor to inform the Sheriff that
there would be further exercise OF executive cleency
and everything accordingly prepared in due
r the execution. The scaflod erected Yesterday,
and the prisoner told that he should prepare for DEATH
He had been dong ever since his sentence and spen1
the gr tater portion of his time in devotional exercises,
prayer and confession Being OF the Catholic religion
he had frequently been visited by priest and by depu-
tatons from the Sisters Of Mercy and Charity.
The circumstances of the murder perhaps not very
fresh in the minds of readers though fully reported
by us at the time of the trial. and we therefore repeat
them very briefly. Graham and Brooks who ere fire.
board the steamer Columbia, had had difficulty
the 18th of January The next night Graham being
against him to the effect that he intended TO knife
upon him. Brooks went to bed that night in the forecas
to cry for assistance, and Graham was seen near hs
berth, attacking him with knife. Brooks, dscngAgnE
himself from his adversary, up on deck followed by
Graham striking as he pursued and was soon afterwards
heard to cry murdern and fall upon the deck. Graham
attempted to escape, but was arrested by some per-
sons on shore who heard Brooks cry; and when
Brooks was examined he found to have oighteen
knife wounds on his person, from the effects a
which he died Graham, when sentence was passed
upon him. confessed the murder and acknowledged thAA
he had made up his mind to kill Brooks. He said how
ever that he drunk, and did not know what he
pressed it, that he had not lived In the fear Of God He
said he was sorry for having killed Brooks, but that
could not be helped then and that nc could not complain
if he had to suffer punishment. He seemed all the tio
Of his confinement to be resigned and penten and do
cared and over again, that he bore no man any III
will.
The scaNold erected in the northwest corner q
the county Jail yard and consisted Of platform raised
about ten feet and reached by pair Of stairs Two
scanngs were elevated about ten feet higher which
supported cross beam, with an iron hook, Immediately
below which, in the platform, there was trap aboue
thranf faat cnnnr Eanti n " n
BY II O'Clock there were about twenty-five Of tho
National Guard, in unorm placed in different positions
about and on the roof Of the JAIL and by H. number q
gentlemen OF the bar and press several physicians the
Grand jury the corps Of deputy shers and number Of
the police present At half past twelve the vicinity
of the scaiod cleared and spectators took their
positions in various places in the yard and the jail
roof; and number Of neighborng roofs were crowded.
by disordery set of men, who kept up noise The
whole time Of the execution. strong rope placsd
through the ring the beam spoken of above and
firmly fastened in IL, its lower end forming noose hun9
about eleven feet from the ground.
The trap door was then placed in lis position the boIe
fastened and the rope attached to the trap, having
was soaped The rope attached to the bolt had likewise
large weight on it, wnsn was held up by small cord
the platform, in such position that by stepping on II
the weight would fall the bolt would be withdrawn tho
trap weud fly open and be drawn back by the loaded
rope on the other side.
Everything being in readiness, at ten minutes before
O'Clock Sheriff Scannell, the prisoner Graham, Father
1ngosby and policeman out Of the small door OF
the al the scaod and assembled the platform with
their heads uncovered. Graham dressed in black
pantaloons and was in his shirt sleeves. He carried
small crucx which he devoutly kissed. There was no
fatering his steps The Sheriff then read the sentence
and order of execution and then Gov ohnsons reprieve
As he had finished, Father ngosby stepped for
ward and said that by the request Of Mr.. Graham ho
would state that the prisoner had made written confee-
sion which he had placed in the hands Of the Sheriff. and
that the morning papers would each be furnished with
cory Of IL. Graham then stepped forward and said -
. You will all please pray for me. God bless you ALT
Pray for me all of you. ] have no i'll will to-
wards anybody. j am dying good Catholc.n He
kissed the again and again. and then stepped back
and his were tied by passing cord several mea
around the elbows and body. He then placed upon
the trap door and his legs tied Immediately above tho
ANGLES. The priest went though the words OF prayer,
which Graham repeated after him, and the crucihx wa
placed again to hts lips, which he again ferveny kissed.
The then placed about his neck, and white
cap drawn his head and tghtcned about his neck
by a string in the hem AS this DONE while
the priest still repeating prayer, IL being then ex-
acty O'Clock, the sheriff placed his foot upon tho
raiser the trap fell, and Graham suspended. Unfor-
tunaely however the became somewhat displaced
and the poor hung struggling and heaving for some
minutes. His hard drawn breathing could be heard,
and the muscles OF the body contracted number a
times.
In few minutes several persons went up and pulled
the moose tight about the neck and shortly afterwards
the physycans took places the body kept their
fingers upon the pulse and then mounting tres
sells applied their to the breast feeling and listening
for the last flow Of the blood.
lives thirteen uiautes before Ae suaezeg died. e