The Nevada Democrat., 1856-10-15
80. a,,., ExecutiOn Of Tom Eel.

the notorious hghwayman, was arrested ana
executed on Monday, the 9th inst, near the
Merced river The San Francisco Sun gives
the following particulars of his capture aud ex
ecution:
At six o'clock in the afternoon of Monday a
party of nine men, led by Mr.. Joseph Belt, sud
denly came on Bell. who had just crossed the
Merced river, from a rancho inhabited by
white woman and her two daughters; Bell was
in conversation with a Mexican; his right leg
over the pummel of the saddle, and perfectly
unsuspicious of the near vicinage of his pursu-
ers. So sudden and complete was the surprise,
that before Bell could draw weapon, the rifles
of the party were leveled on his person, at a
distance of not more than ten yards. He imme-
diately yielded, confessed his identity, and was
ordered to prepare for execution. lie tnch ask
ed for short time to enable him 20 Wrlte 10 MS
family in Tennessse-which was granted, ana
he employed four hours in writing TWO ietters;
Previous to his execution he stated that MS real
name was Thomas Hodges, and that he was
born in Rome, Tennessee. Bell was executed
between the Cowchilla and Merced rivers On
being questioned as to the attack made on MN,
and two of his gang, few days ago, he replied
that he had been engaged in fight on TUESDAY
previous, with party of men unknown 10 MN,
and was ignorant of the fate OF his comrades.-
He himself escaped unhurt.
The San Joaquin Republican, of Thursday last,
says that Mrs. Cullers and her three daughters
arrived in Stockton the day before, direct from
Bells rendezvous. on Tulare Slough. That pa
per further says:
In a conversation we had with Mrs. Cullers,
after her arrival, she, with great freedom and
precision, put us in possession of many interest
ing details connected with Bell and his follow
ers. 1t appears that she formerly kept public
hnuSa on tho Nava1o and Cacro rnon
known as the western Exchange" and made
the acquaintance of Tom Bell and many of his
men while she resided at that place, as they had
practice of making her house their resting
place. Bell introduced himself to Mrs G. as
George Brooks, and by that name only she
knew him until the day of bis death. In the
month of August she sold out, and with her
three daughters and hired man, named Farms
worth, Gone of the two men arrested a few days
since by John McNish and party, at Tulare
Slough,) she started for Sacramento. On the
evening of the FIRST day after her departure,
Tom Bell and three companions overlook her,
and wanted to know where she was going; and
upon being told, he unfOlded a plan which he
had in view, which was for her to remove to
the Four Creeks country and there settle down
and send her daughters to school, and take up
the business of stock-raising By the influence
of threats and persuasion, she finally consented
to do as Bell desired, and set out upon the Jour
ney, never haltlng until the party, eight or nine
In number, arrived at the point above named
"A large portion of the gang under the lead of
Monte Jack, whose field of operations is in the
northern portion of the State, Mrs. c. has never
seen. Their head quarters is in a secluded cave
in the mountains, difficult of access, from which
they issue in parties of four .or five each, to
commit their depredatons The whole band
she had heard, consisted of forty eight men, who
were bound by the most solemn Oaths to cling
TO each other, and to be avenged on any one
who interfered with their organization.
One of the band, known among his compan-
ions by the name of Edward S. Porter, our in
tormant states, was at one time resident of
Stockton He is represented being one of
the most depravcd and unreenting Of those
within her acquaintance and frequently swore,
with terrible oaths, that any one who attempted
TO arrest him should feel his vengeance, sooner
or later.
The Mexican arrested and tried few days
since at Knights Ferry, served in the capacity
OF Bells waiting man, and was brought to this
country from Mexico by Bells cousin. The
above is about the substance of our Informant S
story.
From other sources we learn that when Bell
was arrested, on Saturday last he made not the
slightest resstance-being taken completely by
surprise, Seeing party of men in advance of
him, whom be supposed were elk-hunters, he
concluded to turn aside from the main road
short distance until they passed. He never dis
covered his mistake until he saw three double
barreled guns leveled at him, while he sat upon
his horse totally unpreparcd to resist his assail-
ants