The Placer herald., 1856-06-07
Suicide Of Yankee Sullivan.

lnlS morning the notorious anEee sullivan
committed suicide, by cutting into his left
arm, and bleeding to death The public are
well aware that Sullivan has been in the
hands of the Vigilance Committee during the
last few days. lie had confessed to Them
his evil deeds, and made important reyela-
tions as to the ballot box stutfing operations
in which so many high and low scoundres
of this city have been engaged for years past
until it was decided what course should be
taken with Sullivan, he was kept in close con-
tinement. He was however allowed every
indulgence in the supply Of food and other
necessary retreshment that the Committee
could give. His nervous system appears to
have been greatly effected and broken down
by the tragic events of the last few weeks,
He witnessed the execution of Casey and
Cora, and since then he exhibited much ankle
ty and Apprehension on his own account. He
appeared to have lost his appetite, and usual
ly ate very sparingly.
This morning, about six o'clock, Sullivan
called the guard and asked for drink of wa
ter. lie told the latter, that he lad a most
horid dream. He dreamed that he had been
condemned to die; he saw the guards approach
they seized him and pinoned his arm-thev
led him to the fatal window-the rope was
placed around his neck-he stepped on
the platform fell, he struggled-and awoke
in the most frightful state of mind Tho
guard reasoned with him, and tried to cheer
him. He said that the Committee did not
mean to hang him, but only to send him out
of the country. Sullivan however was too
much frightened to accept at first the friend
y consolation He received the drink of
water he had asked for, and after time APP
peared to be more cheerful. The guard then
left him. About two hours later, when Snl-
Nan's breakfast was being carried into his
room, the prisoner was found on his bed
dead. He was dressed III his pantaloons and
shirt, and lay extended on his back. He
had cut his left arm at the elbow Joint, on
the inside to the bone. The main artery was
completely severed, and he must have died
in few minutes afterwards. He inflicted
the wound with the knife which he used to
cut his food WITH
The body WAS cold at this time, so that it
is probable Sullivan committed the rash act
Immediately after the guard had left him at
six o'clock. Remorse and terror, produced
by his dream had no doubt promted the sui
eide. Two medical gantIemen were imme-
diately called in, who declared that Sullivan
had been dead for some time, and that he
could have suffered no pain. lie had fallen,
as it were, into a faint, and in that condition
expired The countenance of the deceaed
showed no marks Of pain
Sullivan has made important disclosures
to the Committee, the result of which will
be known before long. He confessed that
he had been convicted in England for steal
inc and had been sentenced to transportation
TO New South Wales for fourteen years.
When there his bad conduct was such that he
had been placed by the Government under Il
regimen of the severest kind, different from
those other convlcts who underwent penal
sentence. He escaped however, from New
South Wales. 1t was one of his greatest fears
that he should be sent back there again.
He had solemnly promised the Committee
to fight no more prize battles, to drink and
quarrel no more, and had vowed that hence
forth he would live an honest and peaceful
life. lie was dcsirous to be sent out OF the
country, and promised that if he were sena
to the States, he would avoid the large
towns and keep himself retired from the pub
lie gaze. guilty conscience would not al
low him to wait the course of events; III II
sudden fit of rcmorse and horror he ended
his vile career.
1t was generally understood at the Com
mittee Rooms that Sullivan would soon
have been liberated, or sent out of the coun-
try. 1t seems also to have been understood
by some persons that he personally was un-
der the impression he might meet with some
other fate as Charles T. Duane was heard to
remark this morning that Sullivan had said
that sooner than be branded and sent from
the country he would kill himself Sullivan
was not the real name of the deceased.
Coroner Kent was duly notified Of the
death, and the body was taken i'll charge 10y
him. An inquest will be held tomorrow
morning.
Wnn,y kr.n<r, \Na ,Nrocurra that